There are numerous distilleries around Montana. If you’re looking to taste something new, then you’ll most likely find it here. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best distilleries in and around Missoula, so keep reading on to find 15 we would highly recommend.

1. Montgomery Distillery

Montgomery Distillery is run by a local family with a love of small-batch spirits. Having five generations in the distilling business, Montgomery Distillery is one of the most well-known distilleries in Missoula.

If you’re visiting the area, you need to reserve a tour to see how they make their spirits. You can see how they produce their vodka, gin, and aquavit with your own two eyes.

You can even enjoy some of their award-winning alcohol while you’re visiting too, and browse their menu to find the right taste for you.

If you want to visit, the tasting room is open from 12 PM till 8 PM from Monday through to Saturday, with a slightly later opening on Sunday at 2 PM.

2. Lolo Creek Distillery

Only a short drive away from Missoula is the Lolo Creek Distillery, which has been hailed for both its great drinks and its great service.

If you want to try some delicious cocktails, Lolo Creek is where you should go. Not only can you enjoy their tasting room, but while you taste the cocktails, you can enjoy the scenic views too.

If you want to visit, Lolo Creek Distillery is closed on Mondays. However, it is open from 4 PM until 8 PM from Tuesday to Friday, with an earlier 12 PM open on weekends.

3. The Montana Distillery

The Montana Distillery is a short drive away from Missoula, and can be found in downtown Stevensville (see also ‘10 Highly Rated Distilleries In Montana Worth A Visit‘). This historic distillery is Montana’s oldest distillery since prohibition.

You can partake in cocktail making events and more when you visit this age old distillery. However, if you simply want to drink some cocktails, then head on over to the tasting room to sample their wares.

If you want to visit the Montana Distillery, they are open from 3 PM till 8 PM from Tuesday to Saturday, and are closed on Sunday and Monday. Plus, they offer takeout too.

4. Rattlesnake Creek Distillers

Rattlesnake Creek Distillers is run by two brothers who craft their own spirits in Missoula. They use grains sourced locally from Montana to create their own premium craft spirits.

Due to this, they do small batches so they have more control over the distilling process. When you visit Rattlesnake Creek Distillers, you’ll find that you can go and enjoy the drinks from their tasting room, or book a private party.

If you want to visit Rattlesnake Creek Distillers, they are usually open from 10 AM till 8 PM from Wednesday through to Saturday. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open from 1 PM till 7 PM on Sundays.

5. FireRoot Spirits

A short drive away from Missoula in Florence, Montana, lies FireRoot Spirits. What started as a hobby became a passion for the owners of FireRoot Spirits.

What sets FireRoot Spirits apart is that it’s also an orchard, where the apples used are developed for cider making and crafting spirits.

You can try the variety of ciders and spirits for yourself at the taproom, and even enquire about how they make them and see the process for yourself.

If you want to visit, you’ll need to make an appointment and find out about what events they are hosting. Generally, we recommend visiting in the summer, which is the best time to enjoy the drinks they have on offer.

6. Montana Whiskey Co. 

The Montana Whiskey Company is one of Montana’s newest distilleries, however, they don’t plan to open a tasting room in their Missoula HQ any time soon.

However, that doesn’t mean they don’t make some delicious spirits. If you want to try any of their bourbon, they will sell it at local retailers near you.

Due to being established in 2019, they’re still a new business, but they have been successful with their whiskeys, and there’s no doubt we’ll be hearing more from them in the future.

7. Spotted Bear Spirits

If you’re willing to make the trek, Spotted Bear Spirits can be a great day out for anyone visiting Missoula.

You can visit the tasting room, where you can purchase cocktails, bottles and mixers, and even purchase a few themed gifts for loved ones.

If you want to visit the tasting room, you’ll need to book an appointment first, as it also functions as a tour.

Spotted Bear Spirits is open everyday from 4 PM till 8 PM, with the last call at 7:40 PM.

8. Steel Toe Distillery

Steel Toe Distillery is a short drive away from Missoula, located in Potomac. As a family run business, Carl and Christina Bock make their whiskeys using a selection of moonshine techniques. You’ll find that they also sell gin, black tea liquor, and flavored vodkas too.

If you want to visit, then they are open from Wednesday through to Sunday from 12 PM to 7 PM, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You don’t necessarily need to book an appointment, and walk-ins are also welcome here.

9. Westslope Distillery

Just an hour’s drive away from Missoula lies Westslope Distillery. If you travel down there, you can visit their tasting room where they also produce seasonal cocktails for you to enjoy.

Each Wednesday, they have a trivia night, where you can sit back and relax with hand crafted spirits.

If you want to visit Westslope Distillery, you can visit from 3 PM till 8 PM from Tuesday to Saturday, but they are closed on Monday and Sunday.

10. Whistling Andy Distillery

As another day trip for anyone visiting Missoula, you can visit Whistling Andy Distillery. At Whistling Andy Distillery, they handcraft their own spirits for you to enjoy.

If you want to know more about distilling, you can take a tour from one of their experienced distillers, and learn all about their techniques and the grains they use.

If you want to take a tour, then it is preferred you schedule a tour in advance, as they take place from 2 PM and 4 PM.

Whistling Andy itself opens daily from 12 PM, with a closing time at 8 PM, but it closes earlier on Sunday at 6 PM.

11. Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits

As another example of a day trip out from Missoula, you can head over to Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits. As both a restaurant and distillery, you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails with a delicious meal.

You can book cocktail classes, and you can even book in for a distillery tour to see how their spirits are made. Of course, we recommend booking in advance so you ensure that you have a space available.

If you want to visit, they are open from 12 PM till 8 PM from Thursday to Sunday.

12. Glacier Distilling Company

Not far from Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits, you’ll find Glacier Distilling, which is an excellent stop if you’re visiting Glacier National Park. They specialize in small batch whiskeys.

While there, you can visit the tasting room and even take a tour of the distillery to see how they make their spirits. If you want to book a tour, you will need to wait until the summer, but you can always purchase drinks from the tasting room.

In the summer, they are open from 12 PM until 8 PM daily, with an earlier closing time of 6 PM in the winter months.

13. Bozeman Spirits Distillery

Admittedly, Bozeman Spirits is further away from Missoula then you could travel to Bozeman Spirits Distillery. Seen as the home of Huckleberry Vodka, Bozeman Spirits is one of the best places to visit if you’re planning to travel around Missoula.

If you want to visit, they are open daily, opening from 10 AM till 8 PM from Monday through to Saturday, with a later opening time of 12 PM on Sundays.

14. Wildrye Distilling

As another Bozeman distillery, Wildrye is a perfect destination for anyone who wants to travel the surrounding areas. You can visit the tasting rooms to enjoy some of the delicious cocktails they have on offer, made from their own handcrafted spirits.

If you want to visit, they are open daily from 12 PM till 8 PM.

15. Gulch Distillers

Only two hours away from Missoula is Gulch Distillers in Helena. They’re the only micro-distillery in the area. Here, you can enjoy spirit tastings and a tour of the distillery, where you can enjoy a variety of different cocktails they have produced.

If you want to visit, they are open from 4 PM till 8 PM from Monday to Friday, and have an earlier opening time of 2 PM on Saturdays.

Final Thoughts

Although Montana is not known for its distilleries, there have been more and more appearing in the area. If you want to visit the area, then there are many new and old distilleries that you can explore.