The latest crop of bars are doing all of the above and then some, putting an emphasis on zero waste, housemade distillates, off beat wines, and immersive vibes. What's also clear is the geography of drinking culture: its clear epicenter is Lower Manhattan, with a few exciting entries in Brooklyn and one in Long Island City, Queens.
If you didn't know, gin is in. Consumers are looking for premium-quality, craft liquor options with a unique flavor profile. They are interested in liquors that use non-traditional botanicals that bring a sense of place, highlighting local terroir by using regionally sourced ingredients, summarizing the basis of modern gin. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States reports that in 2024, distillers generated nearly a billion dollars in gin sales, with the super-premium category thriving, increasing by 187% since 2019.
Many of these distilleries and their tasting rooms are set in pristine outdoor locations, and several also take advantage of the surrounding nature, using locally-sourced grain, snow melt or aquifer water, and endemic botanicals to celebrate local mountain life and the great outdoors. Pair a dram with soaring views and chic slope-side fashion, and aprés-ski in a mountain tasting room is more fun than a happy hour anywhere else. Below, our 10 favorite ski town distilleries in North America.
Embark on a tantalizing journey with a Distillery Tour and Tasting for two (whiskey and other rotating spirits that may include rum, gin, vodka and brandy - sometimes with fun experimental flavors), now at just $9 (originally $18). Picture this: award-winning spirits, the rhythmic crash of Pacific Ocean waves just across the street, and an experience that boasts a stellar 4.8-star rating on Groupon.
The sensory experience starts with a bouquet of cinnamon and allspice in the aroma, and at first those are the dominant flavors on the palate, too. But soon, spicy notes give way to tingling sensations that build and build until the whole tongue feels numb, almost like it's vibrating. Stick with it for just a couple of brave moments and the experience will peak before mellowing out and returning your mouth back to normalcy.
