Greenbar Distillery
About the Distillery
Greenbar Distillery opened its doors in 2004 and has since operated as Los Angeles’ first distillery since Prohibition. In a former industrial district in Downtown, they produce a wide range of certified organic spirits: from gin, vodka and tequila to an experimental single malt whisky and a Californian amaro. The distillery is known for using local ingredients, for environmental initiatives, and for treating wood as an active flavor component in maturation.
History
Greenbar Distillery was founded in 2004 and marked itself as one of the early American craft distilleries and Los Angeles’ first distillery since Prohibition. In the years that followed, the company expanded a large range of organic products and introduced both RTD products and liqueurs inspired by Californian ingredients. Since 2008, Greenbar has run a One Bottle/24 RTDs, One Tree program, planting trees for every bottle sold or for every 24 RTD cans as an integrated part of the company’s work. Over time, the portfolio has grown to include special series such as a single malt matured with multiple woods, as well as amaro and spirits that highlight local botanicals.
Ingredients and Production
Greenbar works with certified organic ingredients and produces spirits in an urban distillery in Downtown Los Angeles. The single malt whisky is based on 100% malted barley and undergoes a cool and slow fermentation before distillation. For vodka, unique wheat spirits and Californian fruits are used as building blocks for a clean, cocktail-friendly spirit. In production, the team experiments with wood as a flavoring agent: in addition to traditional white oak aging rooms, they use large white oak vats together with toasted staves from other wood varieties. The distillery’s methods include continual tasting during maturation to determine the right moment for bottling.
Maturation and Barrel Types
In their single malt work, Greenbar uses large white oak vats (1,000 and 2,000 gallons) and inserts house-toasted staves of different wood varieties to add complexity. The concept is to regard wood as an active ingredient: white oak combined with hickory, maple, mulberry, red oak and grape. Maturation is halted when the desired balance is achieved, and for their Six Woods whisky this is under three years according to the description.
The Whiskies
The portfolio spans a broad range and includes bottled cocktails and RTDs, amaro, gin, vodka, tequila, rum, bitters and a single malt whisky. Several products are certified organic and have been developed with a focus on functioning in cocktails as well as enjoying neat. Notable features include a single malt aged with six woods and a Grand Poppy Amaro, drawing on Californian flowers and citrus. There are also named brands such as IXÁ (tequila), TRU (vodka) and SLOW HAND (whiskey) in the company’s range.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask & Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLOW HAND Six Woods Whiskey | Single Malt Whiskey | 42 % | Under 3 years | 1,000- and 2,000-gallon white oak vats with house-toasted staves | Single malt based on 100% malted barley, matured with staves from six woods. Flavor notes and aroma profile described on the website with elements such as dark fruit, butterscotch, black tea, vanilla and bakery spices. | Current; Core Range |
| GRAND POPPY Amaro | Amaro / Liqueur | 20 % | An organic, floral and citrusy amaro produced with local Californian ingredients such as California poppy, citrus, bay leaf and a wide range of roots and herbs. Free from color and additives. | Current; Core Range | ||
| IXÁ Tequila | Tequila | Tequila brand highlighted for a deep, rounded taste without additives or sugar. The product line is noted as part of Greenbar’s core offering. | Current; Core Range | |||
| TRU Vodka | Vodka | Velvety, clean vodka built on unique wheat-spirit bases and Californian fruits with a focus on cocktail-building. | Current; Core Range | |||
| Greenbar Vodka (Lemon variant mentioned) | Vodka (aromatic variant) | A Greenbar vodka line where a lemon variant is noted, produced with citrus peels from thousands of lemons; highlighted as suitable for cocktails and serving over ice. | Current; Core Range |
The Whiskies’ Style and Flavor Profile
The flavor expressions in Greenbar’s range span from floral and citrus-driven bitters in their amaro to more robust, malted and wood-forward notes in their single malts. Documented notes include dark fruit, butterscotch/caramel, black tea, vanilla and baking spices from the whiskies, as well as floral, citrus and a bittersweet character in Grand Poppy Amaro. Other products are described as sweet and grassy (rum) or fresh and clean (vodka/gin), collectively giving a portfolio with both aromatic complexity and cocktail-friendly clarity.
Visiting the Distillery
Distillery visits are offered by appointment: Greenbar welcomes guests for guided tours and organic spirit tastings and also offers the venue for private events. For bookings and practical questions, telephone contact or the contact form is recommended. For private facility visits, individuals with disabilities can request special accommodations by contacting the distillery in advance.
Philosophy and Craft
Greenbar prioritizes organic inputs and the avoidance of additives in many of their products. They work with local botanicals to give the products a regional character and view wood and maturation as an ingredient that can be actively shaped through the use of different wood kinds. Environmental and packaging considerations are also part of their values, through a planting program and the choice of lighter glass as well as recycled paper.
Sustainability
One Bottle/24 RTDs, One Tree program: a planting program that plants one tree for every sold bottle or for every 24 RTD cans; the program has been running since 2008.
Packaging materials: lightweight glass and 100% PCW paper are used for certain products.