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  4. The 25 Best Distilleries in the U.S.

The 25 Best Distilleries in the U.S.

By Gwen McClure
October 13, 2018
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Credit: Courtesy of GrandTen Distilling
Wine and beer may get more attention, but distilled spirits have a solid place in American culture and history. With how the industry has grown over the last decade, they’re set to be back in the limelight. We’re not knocking the classic vineyard tour or evening at a brewery, but if you’re looking for a tasting with an extra kick, try visiting a distillery.

There are over 2,000 distilleries across the country, and craft versions are popping up rapidly with both traditional recipes and modern takes on old favorites. In southern Oregon, Immortal Spirits Distillery ages their whiskeys using charcoal oaked casks made locally, but they’ve also got a selection of specialty products on offer, including a limoncello and an Italian-style walnut liqueur. On the opposite coast, at Maryland’s Sagamore, visitors can try Maryland-style rye whiskey. They’ll also learn that, in the early 1800s, local farmers used rye to keep their soil from eroding, before realizing they could also re-purpose the crop after harvest for a more fun use.

Those farmers in the 1800s were far from the first to figure out the benefits of turning crops into a drink. When Europeans arrived they didn’t waste much time distilling their own spirits. Liquor has also caused a good deal of commotion over the course of our history. Shortly after the American Revolution, it was common for farmers to distill grain into whiskey, because it was easier transport the liquid than the grains. When Alexander Hamilton decided to flex his muscles and impose a liquor tax in 1791, people were none too happy about it — to the point where they tarred and feathered the collectors, and even lit one tax inspector’s house on fire.

Fast forward to 1920, and the temperance movement led the government to kickstart another not-so-popular strategy, outlawing alcohol altogether. Though prohibition lasted until 1933, it didn’t mean Americans spent that long sober. Liquor distillation, distribution and drinking went underground, leading to moonshine and bootlegging. In order to get their hands on alcohol, people turned to fake prescriptions for alcohol intended as medicine and, of course, the ever-popular speakeasy.

Luckily, you no longer need a fake prescription or to know which bookshelf swings open to reveal a hidden bar (although, that’s fun, too). Whether you’re in search of rum, whiskey, vodka or something much more obscure, Yelp has determined the best distilleries in the U.S. by using an algorithm that looks at the number of reviews and star rating for a business. Not more than two distilleries per state were included to provide geographic diversity, according to Yelp.

Spend an afternoon touring to see how the spirits are made, and then finish off with a tasting. And prepare yourself: To properly taste-test, you’ll skip the mixers and ice and sip each liquor served neat.
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25. Hillrock Estate Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Hillrock Estate Distillery

Ancram, New York

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24. Tennessee Legend Distillery

Credit: J M. via Yelp; Valeen W. via Yelp

Sevierville, Tennessee

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23. Motor City Gas

Credit: Courtesy of Motor City Gas

Royal Oak, Michigan

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22. Philadelphia Distilling

Credit: Maly C. via Yelp; Tony P. via Yelp

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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21. Trinity River Distillery

Credit: Jamie W. via Yelp

Fort Worth, Texas

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20. Las Vegas Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Las Vegas Distillery

Henderson, Nevada

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19. Cannon Beach Distillery

Credit: Jim E. via Yelp; Jennifer H. via Yelp

Cannon Beach, Oregon

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18. Quincy Street Distillery

Credit: Katie F. via Yelp; Barbara O. via Yelp

Riverside, Illinois

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17. Sound Spirits Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Sound Spirits Distillery

Seattle, Washington

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16. Murlarkey Distilled Spirits

Credit: Courtesy of MurLarkey Distilled Spirits

Bristow, Virginia

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15. Buffalo Trace Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery

Frankfort, Kentucky

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14. Lost Spirits Distillery

Credit: Lyla D. via Yelp

Los Angeles, California

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13. Garrison Brothers Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Garrison Brothers Distillery

Hye, Texas

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12. The Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of The Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery

Kula, Hawaii

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11. Sugarlands Distilling Company, Gatlinburg, TN

Credit: Courtesy of Sugarlands Distilling Company

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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10. Manulele Distillers, Ko Hana Rum

Credit: Ari Espay and Liza Poleti

Kunia, Hawaii

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9. GrandTen Distilling

Credit: Courtesy of GrandTen Distilling

Boston, Massachusetts

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8. Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Baltimore, Maryland

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7. St. Augustine Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of St. Augustine Distillery

Saint Augustine, Florida

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6. Leopold Brothers

Credit: Courtesy of Leopold Brothers

Denver, Colorado

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5. Angel's Envy

Credit: Courtesy of Angel's Envy

Louisville, Kentucky

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4. Immortal Spirits & Distilling Company

Credit: Mike F. via Yelp; Neil M. via Yelp

Medford, OR

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3. Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey,

Credit: Courtesy of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

Denver, Colorado

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2. Napa Valley Distillery

Credit: Courtesy of Napa Valley Distillery

Napa, California

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1. Bloomery Distillery, Charles Town, WV

Credit: Courtesy of Bloomery Plantation Distillery

Charles Town, West Virginia

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1 of 25 25. Hillrock Estate Distillery
2 of 25 24. Tennessee Legend Distillery
3 of 25 23. Motor City Gas
4 of 25 22. Philadelphia Distilling
5 of 25 21. Trinity River Distillery
6 of 25 20. Las Vegas Distillery
7 of 25 19. Cannon Beach Distillery
8 of 25 18. Quincy Street Distillery
9 of 25 17. Sound Spirits Distillery
10 of 25 16. Murlarkey Distilled Spirits
11 of 25 15. Buffalo Trace Distillery
12 of 25 14. Lost Spirits Distillery
13 of 25 13. Garrison Brothers Distillery
14 of 25 12. The Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery
15 of 25 11. Sugarlands Distilling Company, Gatlinburg, TN
16 of 25 10. Manulele Distillers, Ko Hana Rum
17 of 25 9. GrandTen Distilling
18 of 25 8. Sagamore Spirit Distillery
19 of 25 7. St. Augustine Distillery
20 of 25 6. Leopold Brothers
21 of 25 5. Angel's Envy
22 of 25 4. Immortal Spirits & Distilling Company
23 of 25 3. Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey,
24 of 25 2. Napa Valley Distillery
25 of 25 1. Bloomery Distillery, Charles Town, WV

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The 25 Best Distilleries in the U.S.
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