ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Not that long ago, Florida prohibited producing distilled alcohol such as bourbon or vodka in the state.

In 2013, the Florida Legislature approved a significant milestone for local distilleries, permitting them to produce up to 75,000 gallons of spirits annually. 

Since then, one Florida distillery set out to bring Kentucky-quality bourbon for everyone to enjoy.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Legislature in 2013 approved local distilleries to produce up to 75,000 gallons of spirits each year 

  • The St. Augustine Distillery produces what it says is Kentucky-quality bourbon for guests to taste and take home

  • Visitors can explore the facility with free, self-guided tours or paid experiences with guides

  • Guests can also pay to fill their own bottle of bourbon

The St. Augustine Distillery, at 112 Riberia Street, offers free, self-guided tours, as well as paid guest experiences, tour lead Patrick White said. 

“There is so much to learn about an alcohol like bourbon,” White said.

Guests can do that and see how drinks like bourbon, vodka and rum are made at the distillery.

There is even a gift shop that sells many of the products.

But many come to the distillery to step into a session to learn more about bourbon.

One popular tour is the “Spirit of Florida Bourbon Experience.” Guests pay $35 and learn the history of the popular spirit, how it's made and the importance of the wood that makes up the barrel in which it's distilled.

“It dives deep into the laws of bourbon, some misconceptions about bourbon," White said. "And we debunk some myths about bourbon.”

Of course, anyone taking a private session must be at least 21 years old.

Another popular session is the “Perfect Pair Tasting Experience.” It explains how food, especially chocolate, influences the taste of bourbon. It costs $15. 

“So, if you take a little bit of that bourbon, it’s great. But a little bit of this chocolate truffle with our bourbon buttercream inside, they really are the perfect pair,” White said.

One of the most popular sessions is the “Bottle Your Own Experience.” For $200, patrons can fill up a bottle themselves directly from a single barrel.

“It’s really an opportunity to go hands-on with bourbon and take home the spirit from a single barrel and enjoy at home,” White said.