North Florida, with its unique blend of lush landscapes, historic charm, and vibrant coastal beauty, offers an exciting destination for rum enthusiasts. Explore how the North Florida Distillery scene is shaping the region’s spirit industry with unique offerings and memorable experiences.
Unlike the flat terrain of southern Florida, North Florida boasts rolling hills, verdant greenery, and a sub-tropical climate. The Emerald Coast, with its sugar-white sands and sparkling green Gulf waters, provides the perfect backdrop for savoring exceptional rums. On the Atlantic Coast, historic sites and natural beauty further enrich the experience.
Located on a sprawling 1,400-acre family farm, Timber Creek Distillery began crafting spirits in 2014. Their rum production starts with food-grade 1st syrup molasses and warm Florida spring water. After fermentation at a steady 78°F for two weeks, the liquid is pot-distilled to retain rich molasses flavors.
Their lineup includes clear rum, spiced rum, apple pie rum, coffee rum, and barrel-aged rum matured in Timber Creek whiskey casks. Visitors can tour the facility and enjoy tastings, making Timber Creek a must-see for rum lovers exploring the North Florida Distillery scene.
Founded in 2020 in Santa Rosa Beach, 30A Distilling Co blends traditional Caribbean molasses with Lallemand yeast for a smooth distillation process. Their seasonal spiced rum and small-batch molasses rum aged in bourbon barrels highlight their dedication to quality.
The distillery collaborates with Sugarfield Spirits in Louisiana to produce diverse rums, including agricole and cane juice varieties. Visitors can book VIP tours or enjoy craft cocktails in their tasting room, open Wednesday through Sunday.
As the first licensed distillery in the Florida Panhandle, Rollins Distillery has been crafting rums since 2011. Founded by father-and-son team Paul and Patrick Rollins, the distillery specializes in Crystal Rum and Golden Rum, aged to perfection for bold flavor profiles.
Their Gulf Breeze location includes a tasting room and offers tours of the North Florida Distillery facility, showcasing the spirit of innovation that defines the region.
Located in Atlantic Beach, Grey Matter Distillery creates spirits that embody Florida’s rich history. Their Ribault Rum, named after French pioneer Jean Ribault, reflects their commitment to locally inspired craftsmanship.
Guests can enjoy live music, craft cocktails, and tastings at their lounge, with tours available by appointment.
In northwest Jacksonville, Four Fathers Distillery brings over 24 years of expertise to the North Florida Distillery landscape. Their Black Copper Rum, made from a blend of fresh cane juice, amber, and blackstrap molasses, undergoes meticulous fermentation and distillation in a glass-finished still.
Visitors can tour their facility and sample seasonal spirits, ensuring a unique experience.
In the nation’s oldest city, Saint Augustine Distillery offers a premium lineup of spirits, including their renowned Pot Distilled Rum. Made from Florida molasses and aged in charred oak bourbon barrels, their rums deliver rich, complex flavors with notes of caramel and tropical fruit.
Tours and tastings provide insight into their innovative techniques, making this a highlight of the North Florida Distillery tour.
Whether exploring distilleries or enjoying cocktails at iconic venues like Flask and Cannon in Jacksonville or Rum Runners in the Panhandle, North Florida offers endless opportunities for rum aficionados. The North Florida Distillery scene continues to evolve, blending tradition with innovation to deliver exceptional spirits.
From distillery secrets to cocktail recipes—join our rum-loving community today!
This article was based on The Rum Geography’s Rum Guide to North Florida.
The image of the article is courtesy of © RAUL RODRIGUEZ via Canva.com
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