The craft distillery scene in Mississippi is one of the smallest in the country. It also mostly consists of newer distilleries that are quite young when compared with some of the 100+-year-old distilleries in other areas of the country. However, most visitors find the craft spirit scene here charming and noteworthy. Moreover, you can find rum, vodka, whiskey, gin, and moonshine craft spirits offered by Mississippi distilleries. This is the ultimate guide to the best distillery tours in Mississippi. 

Cathead Distillery

As the first distillery in Mississippi, Cathead Distillery is blazing new trails and is considered the best distillery in the state. Founded in 2010, the distillery continues to focus on making small-batch craft spirits. It has received many honors over the years, including being a semi-finalist for a James Beard award in 2020. A core value of the distillery is to actively be a part of the community and give back. A portion of the proceeds are donated to local area nonprofits. 

Distillery tours are not mentioned on their website. However, you can join a tour if you visit the distillery in person. If you are lucky, it could be one of the founders giving the tour. There is a bar and gift shop that you can also visit. Taste the spirits and take home some merchandise as a souvenir. The distillery’s craft spirit lineup includes vodka, gin, bourbon, and chicory liqueur. The company has also released a line of canned sparkling cocktails. 

Charboneau Distillery

While the Cathead Distillery may be the first distillery in Mississippi, The Charboneau Distillery is the first to craft rum. It is widely considered one of the best distilleries in Mississippi. This distillery is housed in the old King’s Tavern. When visiting, you can take a tour, participate in tastings, and dine at the restaurant next door. Check the website before you visit to confirm that they offer tours when you plan to go. Then head upstairs to the craft spirit store to bring the distilled spirits home with you. The distillery focuses on only making rum. Their craft spirit lineup includes white, gold, rouge, and black rum. 

Crittenden Distillery

The beginning of the Crittenden Distillery may be a questionable one. The founders quickly learned the Mississippi liquor and distillery laws and established a legally licensed distillery. To start, grains are sourced from local farms. The grains are ground daily to ensure freshness and the best quality mash during the next [phase of the distillery process. The aging process is done in charred American white oak barrels. For $10, you can book a distillery tour. There is also a tasting room that lets you experience the craft spirits before buying a bottle to take home. The tasting room is also available for rent if you would like to host a private event in the space. 

Wonderbird Spirits

Located just outside of Oxford is the Wonderbird Spirits distillery. Opening in 2019, its team distills locally grown Mississippi Delta rice. The result is a line of craft spirit gin. This includes a classic gin, a Mississippi Magnolia gin, and a cask-finished gin. You can visit the beautiful distillery grounds for a tour and tasting. The distillery also regularly hosts public and private events. 

Beaver Creek Distillery

This rural distillery is farm-based. While the family farm was established over 120 years ago, the distillery is much newer. It is quickly becoming one of the best distilleries in Mississippi by only using ingredients that are native to Mississippi. In addition, only deep well water is used for its pure and crisp taste. This gives the craft spirits an authentic taste and flavor of the region. The distillery crafts moonshine, American-style gin, and bourbon. They also distill special edition craft spirits by blending vodka with Mississippi native botanicals. You can visit the farm by booking a tasting experience or distillery tour. The farm also regularly hosts musical performances and learning demonstrations. 

Queen’s Reward Meadery

The Queen’s Reward Meadery is often included in best distillery lists, but it is actually making mead. What began as a hobby turned into a passion project and then into a thriving business in Mississippi. Today, they make nine craft spirits. These include grape, scarlet noir, traditional dry, blackberry, traditional sweet, pucker, spiced, and cranberry orange honey. Each mead is made with 100% Mississippi honey, yeast, and water. While they do not offer distillery tours, you can visit the tasting room. There, you can purchase mead by the glass or bottle. You can also buy a tasting experience. 

Best Cities to Visit In Mississippi 

When planning a visit to Mississippi, you can focus your trip on the best cities in Mississippi. The best Mississippi distillery adventures happen to be nearby the beautiful and culturally rich towns. Jackson, Oxford, Tupelo, and Gulport are all must-see places. Jackson is the state’s capital. You will find a rich southern culture blended with modern art and innovation. Graceland is famous because of Elvis Presley, but Tupelo, MS, was his birthplace. Finally, Gulfport is located on the Gulf Coast. It has a unique beach-coastal vibe. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mississippi Distillery Scene

What is the oldest Mississippi distillery?

The oldest distillery in Mississippi is the Cathead Distillery. It was founded in 2010 and is located in the heart of downtown Jackson, MS. 

Is bourbon made in Mississippi?

Yes, bourbon is made in Mississippi. While Kentucky is famous for its bourbon distilleries, it isn’t required that bourbon be made in Kentucky. 

How many distilleries are in Mississippi?

Four distilleries are often recognized as the best in the craft distillery scene in Mississippi. However, several other distilleries have started and are helping to breathe life into this small community. 

What happens on a Mississippi distillery tour?

Each distillery tour is a little different. Some are hands-off and distant, allowing you to view the distilling process through a window. Others are in-depth and hands-on, allowing you to walk through every phase of the distilling process and sample the finished craft spirit. These tours include showing you the raw ingredients, distilling, aging, blending, and bottling. 

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