Here’s a little somethin’ on Tampa Bay’s growing bounty of craft distilleries. They’re serving up small-batch, award-winning spirits, everything from gin and rye whiskey to fruit cordials and vodka.
Cotherman Distilling Co. The first craft distillery in Pinellas County, owned by husband-and-wife duo Michael Cotherman and Tara Cupp. Incorporating as many local ingredients as possible into its beverages, Cotherman Distilling Co. is open from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays for free tastings and tours, plus bottle sales on products like the 727 Vodka and Half-Mine Gin. According to the distillery’s Facebook page, single-malt whisky, barrel-aged gin, wheat vodka and more are “on the roadmap.” 933 Huntley Ave., Dunedin, 727-523-0555, cothermandistilling.com .
Drum Circle Distilling Founded by head distiller Troy Roberts, Drum Circle Distilling puts out a variety of Siesta Key rums, including spiced, white and toasted coconut varieties. The spirits, created with Florida sugar cane, are available for sampling in the distillery’s tasting room, as are tours (register in advance), bottle purchases and other gifts made from recycled SK bottles. Most weeks, the tasting room is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota, 941-702-8143, drumcircledistilling.com .
Florida Cane Distillery While the 4-year-old distillery behind Florida Cane Vodka, made with Hillsborough County and state ingredients, will remain in Brandon until the end of the month, its reopening inside Ybor City’s historic El Encanto Building is slated for March 16. The move will enable the tasting room to operate full-time for tours and samplings, distilling classes, and bottle and gift shop sales. Co-founder Pat O’Brien said Florida Cane Distillery will also be able to expand production, launch new brands and experiment with spirits. 501 S. Falkenberg Road #C-5, Tampa, 813-347-6565, cane-vodka.com .
Kozuba & Sons Distillery This father-and-sons operation, established in Poland more than 10 years ago, has moved its whiskey, vodka and fruit cordials (bourbon and gin may come later) to St. Petersburg. Pending a permit, the new Warehouse Arts District distillery, tasting room and warehouse will open within the next month; a grand opening is planned for late February or early March. The Kozubas aim to host 30- to 40-minute tours, with time for sampling and shopping, as soon as they premiere, along with on-site events. 1960 Fifth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, kozubadistillery.com .
NJoy Spirits A rural distillery producing handmade American rye whiskey (Wild Buck Whiskey) and rum (Mermaid Rum) on 80 acres of Old Florida. Though NJoy Spirits doesn’t offer tours due to its current zoning, bottle purchases — two per person per year — may be made at the distillery by appointment. Its products are also available at a number of Tampa Bay liquor stores. Wild Buck Road, Weeki Wachee, 352-592-9622, wildbuckwhiskey.com .
St. Petersburg Distillery Locally sourced ingredients — citrus, sweet corn and molasses among them — and vintage St. Pete scenes on its labels are part of St. Petersburg Distillery’s state-inspired brand. The Old St. Pete (whiskey, gin, rum and vodka) and Oak & Palm (spiced and coconut rums) lines are under its belt, as well as the Royal Mead, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur and Banyan Reserve Vodka. Zoning doesn’t allow for public tours here either, but the distillery’s spirits may be found in many stores around the area. 800 31st St. S., St. Petersburg, stpetersburgdistillery.com .
Twisted Sun Rum Company Digging what they saw from Ocala’s Fisk Hawk Spirits, the minds behind this new micro distillery coming to Seminole Heights launched their Still in the Heights tasting room in 2013. Now, they’re planning to reopen in a fresh location as Twisted Sun Rum Company with gold, silver and spiced rums. While construction is underway, find out where to buy Twisted Sun around town through its website. 6430 N. Florida Ave., Tampa,
twistedsunrum.com .
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2016.