An updated guide to the region’s craft distilleries that churn out small-batch, award-winning spirits.
American Freedom Distillery Another distillery planned for St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District. The owners — veterans and friends Scott Neil, Rob Schaefer, John Koko and Tyler Garner — traveled across the U.S. to learn cutting-edge distillation techniques, plus Old-World traditions from distillers in Scotland and Ireland. American Freedom Distillery, slated to launch in early 2017, mixes science with art to create its portfolio of whiskey, rum, vodka and gin. 2232 Fifth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 855-729-5457, americanfreedomdistillery.com.
Cotherman Distilling Co. Opened in 2015, the first craft distillery in Pinellas County owned by husband-and-wife duo Michael Cotherman and Tara Cupp. The artisan spirits of Cotherman Distilling Co., made with as many local ingredients as possible, are 727 Vodka and Half-Mine Gin, which works well when served neat as well as in martinis and light cocktails. The distillery is open to the public from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays for tastings, tours and bottle sales. According to its Facebook page, single-malt whiskey, barrel-aged gin, wheat vodka and more are to come. 933 Huntley Ave., Dunedin, cothermandistilling.com.
Drum Circle Distilling The 10-year-old Drum Circle Distilling, founded by CEO and master distiller Troy Roberts, puts out a variety of rums under the Siesta Key brand — spiced, silver and toasted coconut varieties among them. Created with a custom-designed and -built copper pot still, these spirits 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.
Fish Hawk Spirits Launched in 2016, the latest tasting room, retail gift shop and distillery for Ocala’s Fish Hawk Spirits, which started on a farm five years ago. The Centro Ybor outpost carries on what the distiller refers to as the “farm-to-bottle experience.” To pull of its booze, including a popular blueberry vodka, absinthe and tangerine brandy, Fish Hawk sources ingredients like blueberries and corn from Florida farmers, or grows its own. Back in July, Fish Hawk CEO David Molyneaux told CL the distillery has nine whiskeys and seven citrus-based vodkas on the way. 1600 E. Eighth Ave. #E108, Tampa, 813-930-5133, fishhawkspirits.com.
Florida Cane Distillery Originally located in an east Hillsborough business park, Florida Cane Distillery has since moved to Ybor City’s historic El Encanto Building. The microdistillery, formed in 2012 by Lee Nelson and Pat O’Brien, puts out three product lines: Tamiami Gin, Sunshine Moonshine and the locally inspired Florida Cane Vodka, which incorporates South Florida sugar cane. Florida Cane’s new tasting room features 30-minute tours and tasting presentations on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but operates on Thursdays as well. 1820 N. 15th St., Tampa, 813-302-9696, cane-vodka.com.
Kozuba & Sons Distillery This father-and-sons operation, started in Poland more than 10 years ago, relocated its whiskeys, vodka and fruit cordials (bourbon and gin may come later) to St. Petersburg last year. In November, the Kozubas announced the arrival of Starkus, a grain alcohol aged six months in oak barrels that they call “the whiskey lover’s vodka,” just in time for holiday gift-giving. Stop into the Warehouse Arts distillery between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for samples and sales. Tours, however, which include a guided tasting and $10 credit toward a bottle from the gift shop, are held by appointment only and cost $10. 1960 Fifth Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-201-9078, kozubadistillery.com.
NJoy Spirits A rural family-operated distillery producing Mermaid Rum and an American rye whiskey called Wild Buck on 80 acres of Old Florida. Though Natalie Joy and Kevin Goff’s NJoy Spirits in Hernando County doesn’t offer tours due to its current zoning, purchases can be made directly from the distillery — just call in advance to schedule an appointment. Bottles are also available for online ordering and at a number of Tampa Bay liquor shops. Wild Buck Road, Weeki Wachee, 352-592-9622, wildbuckwhiskey.com.
St. Petersburg Distillery Local ingredients — citrus, sweet corn and molasses included — and vintage St. Pete scenes on its bottle 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 Royal Mead, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur and Banyan Reserve Vodka. Zoning doesn’t allow for public tours here either, but the distillery’s booze may be found in many stores and bars throughout the area. 800 31st St. S., St. Petersburg, stpetersburgdistillery.com.
Twisted Sun Rum Company Digging what they saw from Fisk Hawk Spirits, Kevin Casey and Joey Boothby, the minds behind this craft distillery coming to Seminole Heights, launched their Still in the Heights tasting room in 2013. Now, they’re planning to reopen in a new location, a longtime auto repair shop, as Twisted Sun Rum Company with gold, silver and spiced rums. While construction continues, find out where to buy Twisted Sun around town through its website. 6430 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, twistedsunrum.com.
Wicked Dolphin Distillery This one’s a bit farther south, but this food editor made an exception because Wicked Dolphin is headquartered in her hometown. Specializing in craft rum that calls for Florida sugar and local ingredients since 2013, the family-run Cape Coral distillery puts out premium, reserve (signature rums aged in bourbon barrels) and RumShine varieties using South Florida’s largest American copper pot still. Despite the distance, Wicked Dolphin sees many Tampa and Sarasota area visitors for tastings and tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (call or go online). 131 SW Third Place, Cape Coral, 239-242-5244, wickeddolphin.com.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2017.