Nestled in the historic heart of St. Augustine, Florida, the St. Augustine Distillery has quickly become a local favorite in the craft spirits scene. It’s housed in a beautifully restored ice plant and shows its visitors its unadulterated history, craftsmanship, and, of course, its exceptional spirits.
St Augustine is a distillery that’s committed to using locally sourced ingredients and its own traditional distilling methods. These are just two of the many reasons it has made a whole range of award-winning rums, bourbons, gins, and vodkas that truly capture the essence of Florida.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything about St Augustine Distillery. From its short but rich history to its revival of Florida's spirits industry. We’ll also cover their range of spirits, from the boldest to the most delicate, and explain what makes them stand out from the rest. If you’ve just come across this brand, keep reading to find out why it might become your new favorite.
St Augustine Distillery: An Introduction
St. Augustine Distillery isn’t just a place for crafting spirits; it’s become a piece of Florida’s history. The distillery itself is made in a beautifully restored ice plant, which is part of what makes it something of a beloved local attraction. Founded by a group of 20 local families, their vision was to create world-class spirits as a way to give back to the community they came from.
WIth that in mind, high-quality, handcrafted spirits made with locally sourced ingredients (wherever possible) was the motto for St Augustine. Following this, they make rums, bourbons, gins, and vodkas, each of which has a distinct Florida flair to it.
Its bourbons are smooth and complex, aged in charred oak barrels, and its gins are as refreshing and botanical-forward as the best in the world. Regardless of your palate, St Augustine Distillery will have something for you.
Every distillery has its signature spirit, and for St Augustine, it’s their Florida White Rum, made from sugarcane grown within the state. This rum is also the base for many of their other products, including their aged rums.
More than anything, this White Rum shows that St Augustine is unapologetically Floridian and works to uplift the state. In the same light, the distillery is also considered one of the best examples of the craft spirits movement.
What Is the Alcohol Content of St Augustine Distillery’s Spirits?
The alcohol content, or Alcohol By Volume (ABV), varies a lot when you go from spirit to spirit. At St Augustine Distillery, this is no exception. On the lighter end of the spectrum, we have their vodkas that typically clock in around 40% ABV (standard strength for most vodkas). This is a clean, neutral base for any cocktail or for enjoying neat.
If you’re looking for something a little stronger than that, try their Florida Straight Bourbon, which typically has an alcohol content of 44% ABV. Bourbon enthusiasts, in particular, are quite fond of this one.
For someone who wants a spirit that is bolder still, St Augustine has higher-proof options too. Staying in the bourbon category, you’ll find the ABV ranging from 44% to well over 55% for their limited edition or barrel-strength spirits (though the proof does vary with each release here).
This is as complex a flavor profile as you can get, with the nice, warm, and rich finish it brings. If you choose to go for a limited edition release, it’s a good idea to check the specific bottle for accurate proof.
What Is the History of St Augustine Distillery?
St Augustine Distillery is a testament to the revival of Florida's spirits industry. The restored ice plant that it now calls home is a historic landmark in St Augustine and makes for the perfect backdrop for their spirits.
The distillery began with the owners’ desire to bring back the tradition of distilling to northeast Florida, a region that had been quite dry since Prohibition. They decided to do that by making the most high quality, sustainably made spirits possible.
Fast forward to today, it’s known for its handcrafted rums, bourbons, gins, and vodkas and is one of the most popular destinations for spirit enthusiasts. From the start, they have stuck to their commitment to quality and sustainability and, despite being relatively new, have become a cornerstone of the state of Florida.
Where Is St Augustine Distillery From?
The St Augustine Distillery was initially conceived and developed by a group of local families in St Augustine, Florida. The distillery continues to operate in its original location today, in a restored ice plant in the heart of historic St Augustine.
When Was St Augustine Distillery Created?
St Augustine Distillery was founded in 2012. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Floridian spirits industry, as it was the first distillery to operate in northeast Florida since Prohibition.
What Types of Products Does St Augustine Distillery Make?
St Augustine Distillery makes a lot of different spirits, focusing more on the ones it can produce with locally sourced ingredients (but not exclusively so).
St Augustine Distillery Pot Distilled Rum
St Augustine Pot Distilled Rum is renowned for its rums, which have long been its most popular spirits. Made from Florida sugarcane, the distillery offers a variety of rums, from light and refreshing options like Florida White Rum to rich, complex aged varieties.
St Augustine Distillery Port Finish Bourbon
The distillery's Port Finish Bourbon is a standout too. Made with traditional methods, this bourbon strikes just the right balance of sweet caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors. St Augustine Distillery has a variety of bourbon expressions on offer, which include straight and limited-edition releases.
St Augustine Distillery Bourbon Barrel Gin
If you love gin, St Augustine Distillery has an option for you as well. Their Bourbon Barrel Gin is made with botanicals that capture the essence of Florida unlike anything else. The result is a spirit that is both bright and invigorating. It's perfect for classic gin cocktails or as a base for creative libations.
Vodka
St Augustine Distillery's Florida Cane Vodka is a clean and neutral spirit, made from Florida sugarcane once again. It’s used mostly as a base for cocktails, but it’s not unheard of to be enjoyed on its own as well.
What Ingredients Are in St Augustine Distillery’s Spirits?
The ingredients in the spirits change from type to type, so we’re going to discuss the unique ones in each type crafted by the distillery.
Rum
The foundation of St Augustine Distillery's rum is Florida sugarcane molasses. This is where the rich, caramel-like flavor of their spirits comes from.
Bourbon
The distillery's bourbon is made from a grain bill that typically includes corn, rye, and malted barley. The exact proportions of these grains will change so they can get different flavor profiles. The bourbon is then aged in charred oak barrels, where it develops its color and taste.
Gin
The distillery's gin is created through a careful selection of botanicals. Juniper berries are the main ingredient, which is what gives it the classic gin flavor. Citrus peels, coriander, and angelica root are also added to develop complexity and aroma.
Vodka
St Augustine Distillery's vodka is typically made from Florida sugarcane. They’re neat and neutral, and that’s what they’re loved for. Some are filtered multiple times to smoothen out the taste even further.
How Much Do St Augustine Distillery’s Spirits Usually Cost?
This depends on the type of spirit, age, and size of the bottle you’re getting. Generally, you can expect to pay a premium for their handcrafted stuff (upwards of $200). You’ll find their standard releases priced pretty competitively within the craft spirits market, around $30-40, but limited editions and barrel-strength bottles are understandably more expensive. Take their Old St Augustine Bourbon, for example, which often retails for more than $200.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy St Augustine Distillery’s Spirits?
St Augustine Distillery has a large number of spirits that can be enjoyed in many ways. Their vodka, for instance, will be the last base you ever need for your cocktails. Whether you’re a classic vodka martini person or want something more refreshing and summery like the Moscow Mule, you’ll be able to pair this vodka with it. Plus, as we’ve discussed, you can always just savor the vodka neat or on the rocks for a clean and crisp taste.
If you prefer something with a bit more character, you can’t go wrong with the distillery's bourbon. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water to open up its flavors. The bourbon also makes a fantastic base for classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan. If you do go for the bourbon, we highly recommend experimenting with different types of bitters and garnishes for a proper, personalized experience.
Finally, there are the rums from St Augustine. These are there for when you want a taste of the tropics. Like the ones before, you can enjoy them neat or on the rocks to appreciate their full flavor profile. Rum also pairs really well with classic cocktails like the Daiquiri and Mojito. That’s not all, though - if you want a more sophisticated drink, try a Rum Old Fashioned or a Dark 'n' Stormy.
How to Choose a Good St Augustine Distillery Spirit
It can be quite hard to go wrong with any St Augustine Distillery product. We recommend that you place your personal preferences and the occasion on top of everything else. If you like bold flavors, a barrel-aged bourbon or a spiced rum is the way to go. For a lighter and more refreshing one, we’d recommend a gin or vodka instead.
Pay attention to the age statement on rums and bourbons because older spirits have more complex flavors. When you’re making the purchase, don’t gloss over the descriptions and reviews. In particular, look for information about the production process, the ingredients used, and the tasting notes.
Where Can You Find St Augustine Distillery and Its Spirits?
St Augustine Distillery is located at 112 Riberia Street, St Augustine, Florida. It’s a destination worth visiting, but you can also easily enjoy their spirits without leaving your home. In fact, we sell it online here at Speakeasy Co.
St Augustine Distillery products are also common in a variety of bars, restaurants, and liquor stores throughout Florida and in select markets across the United States. If you prefer to buy in person, check their website for a "Spirit Locator" to find retailers near you.
St Augustine Distillery FAQs
In this section, we’ll cover any common questions that you might still have about the distillery.
Is St Augustine Distillery Open to the Public?
Yes, the distillery offers tours as well as tastings. It also has a gift shop.
Do You Ship St Augustine Distillery Products?
Yes, we at Speakeasy Co do ship St Augustine Distillery bourbon, gin, rum, and vodka to most states in the US. You can also find shipping options from the distillery itself.
What Makes St Augustine Distillery Spirits Unique?
A combination of locally sourced ingredients and traditional distilling methods ensures the highest quality for each of their spirits.
A Toast to St Augustine Distillery
The St Augustine Distillery is a shining example of Florida's craft spirits renaissance. This distillery has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike from the very start by being committed to quality, sustainability, and community.
It doesn’t matter whether you choose their award-winning rums or their smooth bourbons; each spirit is great and really tells a story of Florida's rich history and natural beauty. The distillery also makes sure to have something for everyone.
Not sure where to begin? You can't go wrong with their Pot Distilled Rum.
