Photo Credit: Tattersall Distilling (Minneapolis, MN)

Distilleries on the Great River Road

The choices are daunting when picking a Distillery to visit when traveling the Great River Road.  But here’s a few we think will be worth the stop. Some are even right on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi.

~Minnesota~

Tattersall Distilling (Minneapolis, MN)

The grains, fruit and berries used to create their spirits are farmed in the Midwest.  Twenty-three spirits and liqueurs to choose from with a list of awards that goes on and on.

5Rocks Distilling Co. (Brainerd, MN)

5Rocks Distilling Co. is a micro-distillery and tasting room utilizing locally grown organics to produce handcrafted spirits unmatched in taste – every bottle, every time.

 ~Wisconsin~

Distilleries

La Crosse Distilling Co. (La Crosse, WI)

La Crosse Distilling Co. was created to capture the heart and history of this region while producing organic handcrafted field-to-glass spirits. 

45th Parallel Distillery (New Richmond, WI)

About half an hour off the Great River Road, this distillery has been around for a while.  Opened in 2007 when there was only 50 distilleries in the nation. Now there’s over 1,600. They hold classes twice a year to teach the process.

~Iowa~

Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery (Swisher, IA)

An hour’s side trip will bring you to Iowa’s first distillery to open since prohibition.  The view of their ridgetop vineyard is gorgeous. Enjoy a meal and cocktail in their tasting room.

Mississippi River Distilling Company (Le Claire, IA)

Craft distiller with products handmade from local grain. Enjoy a free tour, buy a bottle or sit down in their cocktail house for a beautiful view of the Mississippi.

 ~Illinois~

Old Herald Brewery & Distillery (Collinsville, IL)

Unique family friendly community oriented distillery featuring craft spirits and beer made in-house and paired with a fresh menu incorporating locally sourced ingredients. 

The Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. (Galena, IL)

Producing fine spirits in the heart of Galena, Illinois — a town steeped in distilling history. They look forward to providing you with a tour, a tipple, and chat about their passion.

 ~Missouri~

St. Louis Distillery (St. Louis, MO)

Tours are greeted with a signature cocktail, and you might get to sample some unreleased formulas.  Cardinal Sin Vodka has won a bevy of awards and is worth giving a try.

Crown Valley Brewing & Distilling (Ste. Genevieve, MO)

Missouri Moonshine Malt Whiskey is the spirit to try when visiting.  The distillery has pub fare and live music in a revitalized old school house.  Go in for a tour, and sit out in the beer garden to enjoy the view.

~Kentucky~

Silent Brigade Distillery (Paducah, KY)

A side trip off the road will bring you to a distillery focused on traditionally crafted bourbon and award winning recipes. Tours are given Tuesday through Friday.

Casey Jones Distillery (Hopkinsville, KY)

Specializing in Kentucky Bourbon and family recipe corn whiskey, come experience an authentic moonshine making experience. You can stop in for tours and tasting, a cocktail, beer, wine or soda in the lounge.

~Tennessee~

Old Dominick Distillery (Memphis, TN)

Old Dominick Distillery is a distillery with tours, tastings, retail shop and event space. It makes a full line of fine whiskeys and vodkas.

~ARKANSAS~

Arkansas is a bit unique with fewer distilleries along the Great River Road.  If you gotta check out each state, I suggest a site trip to Little Rock and a visit to Rock Town Distillery.

~Mississippi~

Cathead Distillery (Jackson, MS)

Pecan Vodka?  That says Southern to me and you can get some here.  Stop by for a tour and tasting. It’s a short trip off the road for the oldest distillery in Mississippi.

Charboneau Distillery (Natchez, MS)

Small Rum Distillery located in historic downtown Natchez, producing high quality White and Gold Rum, the distillery is open for tours and is located next to King’s Tavern Restaurant. 

~Louisiana~

Lula Restaurant Distillery (New Orleans, LA)

A privately owned micro-distillery, known for their fresh southern fare and their spirits are made from 100% Louisiana sugar cane products.

Old New Orleans Rum Distillery (New Orleans, LA)

They offer a free shuttle service from the French Quarter for tours or tastings.  Creating ‘joy in a bottle’, they are eager to share their art.