A Rum Lover’s Guide to Central Florida: Discover Some Of The Best Distilleries
Central Florida, stretching from Tampa Bay to Daytona Beach, boasts year-round sunshine, subtropical wetlands, and a vibrant rum culture. With mild winters, hot summers, and scenic coastlines along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, this region offers the perfect backdrop for rum adventures.
Let’s take a west-to-east tour of Central Florida’s most iconic rum distilleries, each offering unique flavors and experiences for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Severessence Distilling: Where Craft Meets Creativity
Location: Tampa Bay Area
Founded in 2022 by a visionary woman entrepreneur, Severessence Distilling creates Dark Door Spirits, including the Island Delight Series’ Biki’s Silver and Gold Rums. The Gold Rum is aged in Brazilian Amburana wood, adding a distinctive twist.
Look for Biki Rum at venues and stores across Central Florida, and don’t miss the story behind its quirky name—a playful nod to a misspelled coffee order.
St. Petersburg Distillery: A Flavorful Experience
Location: St. Petersburg
Since 2014, St. Petersburg Distillery has been crafting artisanal rums like Old St. Pete Righteous Rum & Spice and Oak & Palm Coconut Rum. Visitors can enjoy cocktails at the Trail Garden while savoring live music and local flavors.
Plan your visit from Wednesday to Sunday for tastings, tours, and private events.
Tampa Bay Rum Company: The Gasparilla Legacy
Location: Ybor City, Tampa
Inspired by the legendary pirate José Gaspar, Tampa Bay Rum Company has created premium spirits since 2015. Their Gasparilla range includes Silver, Spiced, Coconut, and uniquely cask-finished rums.
With pirate-themed decor, a full bar, and events, this distillery is a must-visit for rum lovers. Drop in Wednesday through Sunday for tours and tastings—no reservation needed!
Gamblers Bay Distillery: A Family Tradition
Location: Tampa
Founded in 2019, Gamblers Bay Distillery brings 120 years of family recipes to life using 100% Florida molasses. Don’t miss their Florapina Strawberry Rum or Navy One Navy Strength Spiced Rum, perfect for a classic old-fashioned cocktail.
Visit on Fridays and Saturdays for tastings and craft cocktails, with plans to expand hours in 2025.
82°W Distilling: Beyond Rum
Location: Tampa
Named after Tampa Bay’s longitude, 82° West Distilling blends tradition with innovation. They offer vodka, gin, bourbon, and tequila alongside their flavored rums.
Stop by their tropical-themed bar for a flight of rums or book a tour to explore their craft distilling process.
Cotherman Distilling: Crafting Coastal Spirits
Location: Dunedin
This veteran- and female-owned distillery specializes in Palmer’s Tropical Rum, made from Florida molasses. Their experimental barrel-aged rums add an exciting twist to traditional flavors.
Visit the tasting room on Friday evenings to sample their creations or enjoy tropical cocktails.
NJoy Spirits: Farm-to-Bottle Excellence
Location: Spring Hill
Nestled on an 80-acre certified farm, NJoy Spirits grows its sugarcane to produce Florida Mermaid Rum. Aged in Wild Buck Rye Whiskey barrels, this award-winning rum is a testament to their dedication to quality.
Tours are available on weekends, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their distillation process.
Lugo’s Craft Distillery: A Taste of Puerto Rican Tradition
Location: Lakeland
Since 2019, Lugo’s Craft Distillery has specialized in Pitorro, Puerto Rico’s moonshine rum, along with premium offerings like Libertalia Spiced Rum and Riskey Aged Rum.
Enjoy tastings, tours, and unique products like Riskey BBQ Sauce at their newly launched visitor center.
Loggerhead Distillery: Local and Authentic
Location: Sanford
Loggerhead Distillery captures Florida’s spirit with their Blonde Rum, crafted from Florida molasses. Enjoy their cocktails at food trucks or visit their cozy distillery for tastings and tours.
Forward Slash Distillery: Blending Tradition and Innovation
Location: Winter Park
Established in 2023, Forward Slash Distillery creates Primarch Rum, blending three traditional rum-making methods. Perfect for daiquiris, this rum showcases their commitment to authentic production techniques.
Book a tour or visit their patio to enjoy their craft spirits.
Copper Bottom Craft Distillery: A Daytona Beach Gem
Location: Holly Hill
Family-owned since 2016, Copper Bottom produces award-winning rums using raw, unrefined sugarcane. Visitors can enjoy free tours, tastings, and craft cocktails, including frozen daiquiris, from Wednesday through Saturday.
Sugar Works Distillery: Crafting Coastal Connections
Location: New Smyrna Beach
Founded in 2017, Sugar Works uses raw sugar cane to create their signature rums like Turnbull Bay Silver Rum and Spiced Rum. Their Craft Bar hosts live music every weekend, offering a vibrant atmosphere for visitors.
Sugar Sand Distillery: Farm-to-Glass Perfection
Location: Lake Placid
On a 10-acre sugarcane farm, Sugar Sand Distillery produces Lake Placid Rum and other spirits. Join their tour and tasting to experience their fresh cane juice rum firsthand.
Explore Central Florida’s Rum Culture
Central Florida offers a rich tapestry of rum experiences, blending history, innovation, and craft. Whether you’re exploring Tampa’s bustling distilleries or relaxing in a coastal tasting room, there’s a rum adventure waiting for you.
Plan your journey today and savor the flavors of the Sunshine State!
From distillery secrets to cocktail recipes—join our rum-loving community today!
Source of information
This article was based on The Rum Geography’s Rum Guide to Central Florida.
The image of the article is courtesy of © RAUL RODRIGUEZ via Canva.com
