Alice Cooper sang “School’s out for the summer.” Well, for most of us, school’s out forever. But for some reason, we still feel like summer automatically frees us from our adult responsibilities. That’s part of why we plan camping excursions, day trips to wineries, road trips to natural waterparks, and book flights to destinations all over this ever-spinning globe.
Whatever your motivation — weather, summer break nostalgia, or slow days at work — summer travel is truly one of the great joys in life. If that travel takes you to a distillery, even better. To motivate you, we asked some of our favorite bartenders to tell us the one distillery they’re dying to see this summer. From Italy, to Japan, to Kentucky, these distilleries have everything a booze tourist could ever want.
Hakushu Distillery (Japan)
Daniel Condliffe, bartender at JSix in San Diego
A distillery I would most love to make it to one day would be either Yoichi or Hakushu out in Japan. The quality of the products themselves plus the amount of meticulous effort that goes into their productions would be impressive to see to say the least.
Greenhook Ginsmith (New York)
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Joshua MacGregor, mixologist at db Bistro moderne in New York City
While it won’t be a glamorous visit with a fancy tasting room or a gift shop in the entrance, a great distillery to visit in Brooklyn, New York is Greenhook Ginsmith. Steven d’Angelo invested a great deal to have a custom still built that can operate under a vacuum of pressure. When making Gin, you’re dealing with herbs and botanicals. These plants are susceptible to heat damage; altering the aroma and flavor that the botanicals lend to the final gin. Due to this vacuum of pressure, Greenhook is able to distill at a much lower temperature than would be possible otherwise. This allows a maximum extraction of flavor without any of the off aromas that would result from heat damage.
Campari Distillery (Italy)
Erick Castro, co-owner of Raised By Wolves in San Diego
A visit to the Campari Distillery in Milan would be incredible. Not only would I get to take a headlong plunge into the land of Negronis and Aperol Spritzes, but I would have the opportunity to eat some of the finest Italian food in the world, while taking in the sites.
Very few cultures know how to eat & drink with as much gusto as the Italians, so I can’t think of a better distillery to pop into for a summertime visit.
Hendrick’s Gin (Scotland)
Alyssa Miller, bartender at Hazel, Ravines & Downtown in Birmingham, Michigan
Hendrick’s for sure…in Scotland (that’s exciting enough on its own). That’s my go to, all-time favorite spirit. I love infusing it with herbs like lavender, rosemary and zesting it up with a little orange.
Iichiko Distillery (Japan)
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Jacques Bezuidenhout, bartender/partner at Forgery in San Francisco
If I could visit a distillery this summer, it would be Iichiko Distillery located in Oita in the southern part of Japan. It would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the intricacies of distilling Shochu. Not only would it be an incredible learning experience, but it would be paired with Japanese culture, incredible food, and insight into how Shochu is consumed.
Wild Turkey (Kentucky)
Josh Cameron, head bartender at Boulton & Watt in New York City
I love going back to Wild Turkey’s Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Those are sunsets and sunrises like I have never seen — endless clear skies and those whiskeys they make…some of the best in the world. I can still smell that rickhouse.
Kalak Distillery (Ireland)
Melissa Carroll, head bartender at Fisk & Co. in Chicago
Kalak, because their attempt to bring vodka to a new level is amazing! I like the light salinity, and their peated is so unexpected. Who doesn’t want to visit Ireland anyways?
Del Maguey Distillery (Mexico)
Sean Stangle, bartender at Estiatorio Milos in Las Vegas
Among the multiple distillery tours I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing, the most memorable (and educational) have always been in always in Mexico. I would like the opportunity to tour a mezcal distillery. Particularly, Del Maguey, located in Oaxaca, is, in my opinion, the most storied of mezcals.
Del Maguey (pronounced ma–gay) Single Village Mezcal was founded in 1995, and they’ve been one of the most innovative and trail-blazing international spirits brands since. Their founder, Ron Cooper, is largely credited for the current growing popularity of mezcal on the international market. His dedication to Mezcal and the country of Mexico, has helped to dispel many of the worm-in-bottle and other negative stereotypes that surrounded Mezcal for years.
Slane Distillery (Ireland)
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Tracy Johanna, bartender at The Linwood in Bay Shore, Long Island
I’m certain that visiting Slane Distillery in Ireland would be nothing short of everything I look for in a distillery. Rich history and heritage, quality spirit produced by really good people, and an appreciation for the surrounding community. Besides Ireland being a fabulous destination in the summertime, I’d be thrilled to experience the distillery and everything else the Boyne Valley has to offer. Also, who wouldn’t want to visit a whiskey distillery built on castle grounds?!
Buffalo Trace (Kentucky)
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Thomas Merolla, bar manager at Blackbird Ordinary in Miami
If I could visit any distillery, it would be the Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky. They have produced some of the most iconic whiskies such as Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr., George T. Stagg and Blantons, the world’s first single-barrel Bourbon.
