It’s official: booze is only getting better and better! Craft spirits are on the rise in record numbers, the booze industry in general is having a golden moment and famed distilleries are seeing more interest than ever before.
You can sample spirits, tour facilities and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of alcohol at distilleries across the globe. Check out our list of popular spirit makers with unique activities and attractions that you should book right away.
Jose Cuervo
Tequila, Mexico
Just outside Guadalajara, Mexico, family-owned Jose Cuervo was founded in 1795 and is the oldest active distillery in Latin America. When tequila lovers visit, they board the Jose Cuervo Express, a booze train that offers an exciting way to experience the distillery. The train passes scenic agave fields before arriving in the town of Tequila for Jose Cuervo factory tours. It’s an all-day affair with food, live entertainment and tons of tequila sampling.
http://cuervo.com
http://www.josecuervoexpress.com
Ketel One
Schiedam, Netherlands
Celebrating its 325th anniversary this year, Ketel One produces vodka for both affluent and casual cocktail connoisseurs, and fans can get a comprehensive tour of its facilities at Nolet Distillery just 45 minutes outside of Amsterdam. Operated for 11 generations, the distillery is a major attraction in itself. The building is 325 years old, and it features the original coal-fired copper pot used for distillation. It’s also chockfull of Dutch artifacts and antiques, which makes the distillery a surprising gem of a museum.
http://www.ketelone.com
http://www.noletdistillery.com
Reyka Vodka
Borgarnes, Iceland
Reyka Vodka in Iceland takes sustainability to a whole new level. Not only is the country’s first distillery completely geo-thermal, powered by nearby volcanoes, it also collects Arctic water from a spring that runs through a 4,000-year-old lava field (filtered by lava rock!). Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and unspoiled terrain, Reyka Vodka may be the world’s most scenic distillery.
http://reyka.com
Buffalo Trace
Frankfort, Kentucky
The world-famous Bourbon Trails in Kentucky is among the best attractions within the state. Whiskey and bourbon-loving visitors follow the trail because of its deep history (and tastings, of course). Buffalo Trace distillery is reportedly the oldest continuously operating distillery in the country (according to what report?). It stands out from competition with multiple, complimentary tours (from hard hat tours of grain delivery, cooking, fermentation and distillation to tours of its National Historic Landmark homes and attractions dating back more than 200 years). Buffalo Trace is also reportedly haunted! In addition to bourbon-making tours, guides take visitors on a ghost tour to explore the sites with paranormal activities and supernatural sightings.
https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com
Bundaberg Rum
Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Rum may be native to the Caribbean but it’s been adopted in Bundaberg, Australia, where the Bundaberg Rum Distillery has been producing age-perfected rum since the 1970s (though the distillery has been around for more than 130 years). Visitors can create their own concoction by fusing rums with the Blend-Your-Own Rum (BYOR) Experience. Experts will guide rum enthusiasts in blending port, sherry, whiskey and bourbon from small barrels to make their own as a keepsake (or to drink on the spot).
https://www.bundabergrum.com.au
Tequila Selecto
Amatitan, Jalisco, Mexico
Small-batch tequila producer Tequila Selecto may be in the same region as the big guys when it comes to distribution, but it’s tucked away in the Amatitan Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by sprawling agave fields, the property itself is very unique. Peacocks roam the grounds, and a friendly house parrot greets visitors. Unlike most other surrounding distilleries, you can walk right into the agave fields, take shade under an ancient tree, ride a horse or play volleyball with the staff (including resident drag queen, Jorge). There’s also a vintage pick-up truck and tractor for visitor to ride.
http://tequilaselecto.com.mx
