National prohibition may have lasted from 1919 to 1933, but the road has been much longer for Alabama distilleries. Complex liquor laws, dry counties, and local and state regulations amounted to a jungle of red tape that distillers had to cut through to legally practice and monetize their craft. Behind each one of Alabama’s distilleries are people passionate about their product. Some follow in the footsteps of their infamous moonshining ancestors, while others have persevered, turning a hobby into their life’s work.
In that spirit, we’ve rounded up eight Alabama distilleries that are worth a visit! We’ll start at the top of the state and work our way down so you can visit one near you or plan a road trip to hit them all. Plus, we’ve included three more Alabama-based brands that don’t yet offer visitors’ experiences, but should definitely be on your radar.
Irons One
Location: Huntsville
More info: ironsone.com
Jeff Irons, the owner and Master Distiller at Irons One, truly loves what he does. He keeps his bourbon batches small by design — he likes to be involved every step of the way. The result is his award-winning, single-hand-crafted whiskey that can be hard to get your mitts on due to high demand.
Irons One is located at Lowe Mill in Huntsville and offers public and private tours and tastings at the distillery. While their bourbon is occasionally bought and distributed by ABC stores, putting in your order online post-haste after they announce a new batch is the best way to secure your bottle. They only offer on-site pickup, so if you’re coming from outside Huntsville, why not make a day of it? Book a tour and tasting to try this elusive bourbon for yourself.
Black Patch Distilling Co.
Location: Madison
More info: blackpatchdistilling.com
Black Patch Distilling Co. began with head distiller Gary Cooper learning to make his son Clayton’s favorite bourbon while he was deployed. Gary called it ‘Black Patch’ after the patch his son’s unit wore in combat. Now, Black Patch distills whiskey, rye, and agave spirits in an effort to take spirits back to the roots of small, family-owned operations.
Don’t be deceived by its modest exterior — Black Patch offers a rustic tasting room and distillery tours, usually given by Gary himself. Stop in for the bourbon that started it all, or give its popular H.E.A.T. cinnamon whiskey or Pecan Pie liqueur a try.
Dawson Distillery
Location: Leighton
More info: dawsondistilleryllc.com
Billy Ray Dawson grew up making moonshine from a still up on LaGrange Mountain with his uncles. The area has the oldest-known dwelling east of the Mississippi River, and according to Billy Ray, it also has the best spring mountain water you’ll find anywhere.
Since 2017, Billy Ray and Joanna Dawson have used that spring water to make their flagship Alabama Moon Char (moonshine aged in a White Oak No. 4 Charred barrel) alongside their other flavored moonshine varieties. Visit their tasting room Thursday through Saturday for some authentic moonshine and stay for the storytelling steeped in Alabama history.
Sweet Home Spirits
Location: Leeds
More info: sweethomespirits.com
In an unsuspecting shop in the heart of Leeds is Sweet Home Spirits Distillery. While it seeks to define Alabama whiskey, it also offers vodka, limoncello, and occasionally a small batch of honey moonshine. The whiskey varieties include Campfire Whiskey and Sweet Home Divided Bourbon and are rich and smooth with earthy hints of sweetness and spice, including cinnamon, pecans, and maple syrup.
The distillery opens up its tasting room every weekend. Stop by and sample spirits with a tasting flight, or try one of the signature cocktails by a master mixologist.
Dread River Distilling Co.
Location: Birmingham
More info: dreadriver.com
Located in Southside (and just two blocks from concert venues Workplay and Iron City), Dread River offers a beautiful venue to complement its award-winning spirits. The company has expanded from a conceptual small-batch whiskey distillery to an entire product line, including whiskeys, rum, gin, vodka, and agave spirits.
While you can find Dread River spirits throughout Alabama, the distillery is not to be missed. It offers tours, tastings, mixology classes, a full-service kitchen, and a venue space available for private events. Make a day of exploring this gem, or book your next private event or corporate gathering at Dread River.
John Emerald Distilling Company
Location: Opelika
More Info: johnemeralddistilling.com
In the heart of downtown Opelika is John Emerald Distilling Company, a small-batch craft distillery honoring its family namesakes in every spirit. The John’s Alabama Single Malt Whiskey was the first legally-made whiskey in the state in 100 years following prohibition. Today, the distillery specializes in whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin.
Pull up a seat at the bar and try one of the spirits or signature cocktails, or schedule a tour of the distillery — with or without a tasting.
Keel and Co. Distilling
Location: Headland
More Info: keelandcodistilling.com
Head down to the southeast corner of the state for a tour and a tasting at Keel and Co. Distilling. Located in Headland, just north of Dothan, Keel and Co. is a micro-distillery that started with a rye whiskey and now includes bourbon, gin, flavored rums, and moonshine.
Even with its impressive spirits list, it is still a small-batch operation. The distillery tours only take about 10 minutes, so pop in Thursday through Sunday to get a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process and sample the tasting room offerings so you can take your favorite home with you.
Murder Creek
Location: Foley
More info: murdercreekdistillery.com
Murder Creek Distillery began with a dream on the banks of Murder Creek to make “ ‘Shine sparkling like the creek’s waters, and smoother than a calm Gulf wave.” The dream is now a reality with a collection of unique moonshine flavors you have to taste to believe.
Located in Downtown OWA, Murder Creek runs all its operations on-site and offers tastings of its latest batches. From coconut cream to pecan praline to Alabama apple pie, the flavors are as wild as the creek that inspired its name.
BONUS: 3 More Alabama Spirits to Have on Your Radar
While these spots don’t yet offer flashy visitors’ experiences, they’re making a splash in the industry. If you see them on a shelf or a menu, take advantage!
Redmont Vodka
Location: Birmingham
More Info: redmontvodka.com
While Redmont Vodka may not be open to distillery tours (yet), its Alabama-made spirits should definitely be on your radar. The Redmont Vodka is named after Red Mountain in Birmingham, and it’s distilled eight times for a finish that is nothing but smooth. The Vulcan Gin honors The Magic City’s favorite statue and the industry it represents. Both are award-winning spirits and are the perfect complement to your favorite cocktails.
You can find Redmont in package stores around the state; you can also stop in at the distillery to purchase the products and gift boxes. Plus, there’s always a chance of running into Redmont’s owner, NBA legend Charles Barkley. Keep an eye out for the ready-to-drink (RTD) varieties set to release just in time for summer — Strawberry Lemonade and Spiked Iced Tea!
Dettling 1867 by Big Escambia Spirits
Location: Escambia County
More Info: dettling1867.com
A distillery by the same name is located on the banks of Big Escambia Creek. Big Escambia Spirits has been bringing Alabama true field-to-bottle bourbon and rye whiskey since 2015. You can find the Dettling 1867 spirits from Delaware to Illinois, down to Florida, and throughout the states in between.
The Dettling name goes back to a family-owned distilling brand founded in 1867 in Switzerland. One hundred fifty years later, Big Escambia founders Seth and Vicki Dettling licensed the trademark for the award-winning name in liquor to begin a new chapter of the tradition right in Alabama.
Clyde May’s by Conecuh Ridge Distillery
Location: Troy
More info: clydemays.com
Clyde May’s Alabama Style Whiskey follows the legend of its namesake, who was dubbed Alabama’s ‘most wanted’ moonshiner during prohibition — even serving eight months in federal prison for his craft. Clyde May’s was finally legalized in 2001 and is named the Official State Spirit of Alabama™.
With a spirit as determined as its founder, Clyde May’s isn’t showing signs of stopping. Keep your eyes peeled for their brand-new distillery set to open in Troy this year!
Bottoms up, Alabama!
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