History

Cutler’s Artisan Spirits is Santa Barbara’s first legal distillery and has a four-generation-long tradition dating back to 1915. According to the site, the Cutler family has over the years created exceptional spirits and gathering places from Prohibition-era through today, functioning as the town’s first legitimate distillery in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Ian Cutler continues a century-old tradition of uncompromising quality and produces handcrafted gin, whiskey, bourbon, and specialty liqueurs at the Funk Zone distillery and at the newly opened Cutler’s Public House in Eastside.

Ian Cutler opened Cutler’s Public House and Restaurant in February 2025. Public House brings together authentic smoked barbecue, cocktails crafted from award-winning spirits and local artists under one roof.

Production and Craftsmanship

Cutler’s Artisan Spirits is described as handcrafted and distilled in Santa Barbara, supporting descriptions of a family-driven, traditional distilling process with multiple generations behind it. The range includes gin, whiskey, bourbon, and liqueurs, with an emphasis on small-batch and curated products.

Vodka: Ultra-pure, gluten-free, distilled in Santa Barbara from corn, and refined through coconut husk and multiple distillation steps (noted as seven times). The site also notes that the vodka has received an Exceptional rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

Gin: Cutler’s Gin is described as a New Western gin with complex layers of flavor and aroma, including locally sourced citrus fruits (Ojai Pixies and Goleta Lemons), jasmine, elderflower and cardamom with juniper as a balancing element.

Whiskey and bourbon: The products include Stagecoach American Whiskey (a True American Whiskey) and 33 Straight Bourbon Whiskey (a Limited Release – small batch). Stagecoach is described as a blend of an 8-year-old light whiskey (high in corn) and a 3-year-old straight bourbon (high in rye), yielding a smooth, light body with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey.

Sampler packs and award-winning spirits are highlighted as part of the company culture and marketing, including the Heritage Flight spirit sampler and various memberships. Emphasis is placed on heritage: six tasting experiences from six spirits, four generations, and a legacy.

Products and Whiskey Series

33 Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Full Artisan 750 mL – $90; Half Artisan 375 mL – $50. Description: A limited release of small-batch bourbon, blended from hand-selected casks. Notes: sweet hints of honey and caramel, followed by vanilla and spices with a dry finish.

Stagecoach American Whiskey

Full Artisan 750 mL – $45; Half Artisan 375 mL – $30. Description: A True American Whiskey. Very smooth and light-bodied with notes of vanilla and caramel and a sweet honey finish. Built on a blend of an 8-year-old light whiskey and a 3-year-old straight bourbon with a high proportion of rye.

Heritage Flight (6 Spirit Sampler Pack)

50 mL samples gathered in a collector’s pack: 33 Straight Bourbon, Cold-Brew Coffee Liqueur, Cutler’s Gin, Cutler’s Vodka, Grandma Tommie’s Apple Pie Liqueur, Stagecoach American Whiskey. Price around $40.

Visit and Experiences

Cutler’s Public House and Restaurant is located at 418 N. Salsipuedes St. in Santa Barbara’s East Side. Public House hours: Monday–Friday 4:00 PM–10:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM–10:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM (food served until closing). In the Public House, food and cocktails are crafted from Cutler’s award-winning spirits from the first legal distillery, all under one roof.

Public House also features ongoing events and live music each week (free admission). There are also weekly events such as Monday night football, pub quiz on Tuesdays, and weekly live performances on Thursdays, as well as other musical events and themed evenings.

Additionally, there are memberships and club offers such as Cutler’s Locals, Spirit Explorer, Libation Expert, and Booze Master, with various benefits and events around tastings and education.

Philosophy

According to the website, Cutler’s rests on a heritage spanning generations and a century-old tradition of uncompromising quality. Four generations of the Cutler family have run the distillery since 1915, from Prohibition-era speakeasies to Santa Barbara’s first legal distillery in the Funk Zone. The goal is handcrafted, award-winning spirits and unique tasting experiences through small-batch production, clear descriptions of gin, vodka, and whiskey, and a strong focus on quality and history.