While visiting Montana, a rocky and mountainous state on the western side of the United States, your trip will only be complete once you sample some of the best craft liquors that hail from the region. Distilleries in Montana create a variety of high-quality spirits that include bourbon, vodka, brandy, rum, bourbon, gin, whiskey and more. This post comprehensively guides the top distilleries you should visit to taste Montana’s premium liquors.

Whistling Andy

Location: 8020 Montana Hwy 35, Bigfork, MT 59911
Phone: +1 406-837-2620

Whistling Andy produces award-winning spirits and prides itself in giving back to Montana’s farmers and general community. The distillery was named after Brian Anderson’s father, who earned the nickname “Whistling Andy” while working in the military.

The distillery set out to make its spirits using only locally sourced grains, the main aim being to improve the lives of the farmers in the region. The company handcrafts classic and innovative spirits using local cherries, cane sugar, and botanicals.

Whether you are seeking a new, unique blend or an old classic, Whistling Andy has a liquor for you.

Some of the distillery’s products include

• Straight bourbon whiskey
• Harvest select whiskey
• Crisp cucumber gin
• Spirit of Perry
• Hibiscus coconut rum
• White rum

Whistling Andy conducts tours and tastings frequently, and you can buy tickets on their website.

Dry Hills Distillery 

Location: 106 Village Center Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: +1 406-624-6713

Dry Hills is a family-owned company with farming roots in the early 1900s. Since its inception, the founders aimed to create special and unique spirits by following a stringent process.

The company uses its expansive lands to grow all the ingredients used to make its craft liquors, and since its land is rich and fertile, they are constantly releasing excellent products, guaranteeing you a great time.

Some of Dry Hill’s products include:

• Montana Abbey Gin
• Double Barrel Abbey Gin
• Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey 
• Montana Bonded Wheat Whiskey
• Bin 7 Wheat Whiskey
• Harrison Roots Vodka

You can sample these and more of the distillery’s products in their inviting, warm, and friendly tasting room. The tasting room features custom tables, pleasant seating, and a children’s corner.

Wildrye Distilling

Location: 111 E Oak St#1E, Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: +1 406-577-2288

Here is a distillery specializing in making premium-level spirits using the best ingredients available. 

Wildrye Distilling always aims for its products to contain Montana’s taste and style. To achieve this, they locally source ingredients from the farmers, directly supporting local farmers. Also, all of the company’s spirits are preservative-free.

Some of their products include

• Old Tom Gin
• Cherry Vodka
• Montannassee Corn
• Rye Whiskey
• Five Drops Bourbon
• Silver Rum
• Premium Vodka

To get a distillery tour of the Wildrye facility, you need to book a ticket in advance, but their tasting room is open daily from 12–8 p.m.

Stonehouse Distillery

Location: 37 Muffley Ln, Winston, MT 59647
Phone: +1 406-465-2816

Founded by John and Snezhi, Stonehouse Distillery creates excellent spirits following the Snezhi’s family recipes. John, who originates from Germany, learned how to make grain spirits from his family, who owned a distillery.

All of the company’s spirits and craft liquors are made in-house; they grind the grain, mash it using mountain water filtered through limestone deposits, then fermented in single batches.

The company primarily focuses on quality flavor rather than quantity, so they still use a customized traditional copper.

Some of their products include:

• Highland Laddie
• Big Sky Blue
• Triple Barrel Rum
• Bon Fire Bourbon
• Chocolate Rum
• Montana Huckleberry Whiskey

Stonehouse doesn’t conduct tours, but you can stop by their tasting room to partake in their small-batch spirits and tasty cocktails. You also see the entire creation process, from the fermenting and distilling to bottling and labeling, through massive glass windows.

Willie’s Distillery

Location: 312 Main St, Ennis, MT 59729
Phone: +1 406-682-4117

Founded in 2010 by Willie and Robin Blazer, Willies is a small-batch distillery that creates spirits that embody the authenticity and independence of the American West. 

In addition, the company sources ingredients from local farmers, which gives their spirits regional flavors.

Some of the distillery’s products are:

• Montana Moonshine
• Bighorn Bourbon
• Snowcrest Vodka
• Devils Brigade Whiskey
• Genuine Canadian Whiskey
• Snowcrest Huckleberry Vodka

You can taste Willie’s craft spirits at their tasting room, open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Westslope Distillery 

Location: 172 S 2nd St, Hamilton, MT 59840
Phone: +1 406-375-5590

Westslope Distillery has one sole purpose: to showcase Montana’s rich culture through expertly handcrafted spirits. The company founders say they draw inspiration from everything that makes Montana special, like the forests, rivers, and mountains.

Their products include

• Timber Cruiser Rye Whiskey
• Mending Wall Apple Brandy
• Merchants Dry Gin
• Lost Trail Rye Vodka
• Sweet Sting Honey Spirit
• Golden Sting Aged Honey Spirit

You can enjoy more of the company’s famous products at their tasting room. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Headframe Spirits

Location: 21 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
Phone: +1 406-299-2886

Headframe is different from your usual distillery. The company has a thorough and painstakingly effective spirit creation process and only uses premium ingredients.

Since its formation, the distillery has had a keen eye for earning the top spot for small-batch spirits. Headframe employs highly skilled artisans to attain its goals, who give each bottle a touch of perfection. Whether you like creamy, copper, or clear, they have a liquor for you.

Some of the distillery’s products are:

• Kelley American Single Malt Whiskey
• Anselmo Gin
• High Ore Vodka
• Acquisition X Canadian Whisky
• Dispatch Cinnamon Rye Whiskey
• Kelley Distillers Select 

You can experience Headframe’s unique spirits by visiting their tasting room, which is open from Monday to Sunday. You will also taste a variety of modern and classic cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How many distilleries are in Montana?

According to a report from the American Craft Distillery Association, Montana has at least 25 craft distilleries.

2. What are the popular places to visit in Montana?

• Big Sky Resort
• Yellowstone River
• Zoo Montana
• Bison Range
• Flathead National Forest 
• Glacier National Park

3. What’s Montana Famous for?

Montana is known for its diverse wildlife, natural beauty, and abundant mineral resources.

Conclusion

Want to learn about the top distilleries in every state, the types of drinks they produce, their history, and more about different types of spirits? Visit Distillery Nearby, where you will find information about craft liquors, distilleries near you, and popular cocktail recipes.