St. Augustine Distillery
Overview of the distillery
St. Augustine Distillery has transformed a historic ice factory on Riberia Street into a bustling craft distillery in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida. Here they produce bourbon, pot-distilled rum, New World Gin, and Florida Cane Vodka with a focus on local ingredients and historic preservation. The distillery is both a production company and a visitor attraction with daily tours and tastings.
History
The idea for the distillery began in 2011 when Philip McDaniel and Mike Diaz worked to create a distillery that would reflect Florida. Together with 20 local families, the team bought and restored an old ice factory on Riberia Street. On March 19, 2014, the distillery officially opened, where the first bottled sale was Florida Cane Vodka made from pure Florida sugarcane. After the opening, the range was expanded to also include a citrus-focused gin, pot-distilled rum, and local bourbon expressions. In the years since, limited collaboration releases have been launched, and in 2023 they began experiments with a new mash bill and a higher barrel entry proof to improve aging potential and sustainability.
Raw materials and production
The production focus is on local ingredients from Florida. Vodka is made from Florida sugarcane, while bourbon is built on corn as the primary grain in accordance with bourbon requirements. Rum is distilled using a pot method, and the distillery distills, ages, and bottles its own spirits on site. The team continually works with recipes and procedures; in 2023 they began experimenting with an updated mash bill and raised the barrel entry proof to around 120. The distillery also notes that it may use sourced whiskey for blended releases, but that this will be clearly labeled.
Maturation and barrel types
Bourbon is aged in new, charred American oak barrels, which are the fundamental requirement for bourbon. The distillery also uses finish barrels for selected releases, including a Port finish for Port Finished Bourbon and special luxury finishes in the Explorer Collection. Changes in barrel entry proof have been introduced to influence flavor development, extend the aging time before unwanted flavor compounds develop, and reduce evaporation.
Whiskeys
The core range includes several Florida bourbons, with Florida Double Cask Bourbon and Florida Straight Bourbon highlighted as central bottles. These are complemented by periodic, limited releases such as Port Finished Bourbon and Explorer Collection. In addition to bourbon, they also produce pot-distilled rum, New World Gin, and Florida Cane Vodka, but bourbon is the primary focus of the distillery's whiskey lineup.
| Whiskey | Type / Series | Cask & Finish | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Double Cask Bourbon | Bourbon | New Charred Oak | The first bourbon the distillery highlights as distilled, aged, and bottled in Florida. | Current; Core Range |
| Florida Straight Bourbon | Bourbon | New Charred Oak | A part of the distillery's bourbon lineup and a core series in their spirits range. | Current; Core Range |
| Port Finished Bourbon | Bourbon | Port Cask Finish | Limited release, where the bourbon receives a port finish through a collaboration. | Limited; Limited / Special Release |
| Explorer Collection | Bourbon | Luxury Finishes | Luxury and limited bourbon releases gathered in the Explorer Collection. | Limited; Limited / Special Release |
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery is open seven days a week with a shop and daily tours. The shop is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and tours are normally offered from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm; the last tour may vary during special events, so guests are encouraged to call before arrival. In addition to standard tours, specialized experiences are offered such as Spirit of Florida Bourbon Experience, Perfect Pair Tasting Experience, Cocktail Crafting Experience, and Certified Bourbon Steward courses.
The stated hours are Retail Shop: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Tours: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm daily. Last tour may change during special events; please call ahead to confirm.
Philosophy and craft
The distillery's values are gathered under the idea of "The Spirit of Florida": to use local ingredients, create Florida-style bourbon, and serve as educators for visitors. They strive to be transparent about production, including possible use of sourced whiskey, and engage with the local community through partnerships and support for cultural and sustainable initiatives.
Sustainability
Changes to the barrel entry proof to reduce evaporation and decrease barrel consumption.
Support local initiatives in sustainability and community projects.
Latest News
Dr. King’s Legacy in St. Augustine – Jan 14
An article about Martin Luther King Jr.'s connection to St. Augustine in 1964, the city's role in the civil rights movement, and the distillery's sponsorship of the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series to support local storytelling.
Looking Towards the Future on Our 10th Anniversary – Mar 19
A reflection on the first ten years since the opening in 2014, including the establishment in a restored ice factory, the first bottled spirit (Florida Cane Vodka), expansion of the range, and production changes such as an updated mash bill and a changed barrel entry proof.