The Arizona craft distillery scene evokes the state’s Wild West roots. There are few better or more iconic places in the United States to enjoy a stiff whiskey than the state known for outlaws, cowboys, and gunfights. But while Arizona’s saloons honor the state’s past, the distilleries supplying the spirits are forging its future.

SanTan Spirits

What started as a local dive to get wings and beer in the greater Phoenix area has evolved into the largest distillery specializing in craft spirits in Arizona. Today, SanTan Spirits embraces the local spirit by pairing their tastings with foods crafted by local artisans at their nearby pub, Spirit House.

At SanTan Spirits, you’ll find whiskeys to soothe your inner Doc Holiday, from American single malt to high-rye bourbon. If you like your whiskey as smooth as the barrel of a Colt six-shooter, try SanTan’s Salted Caramel Whiskey or Peach Bourbon Whiskey.

SanTan also makes a variety of gins, including Navy Strength and London Dry. If the scorching desert sun leaves you needing something cold, SanTan offers canned cocktails. Try their Gingerpunk Whiskey Mule and Sun Splash Vodka Soda.

You can find SanTan Brewery and Distillery at 495 E Warner Road, Chandler, AZ. Book their Distiller’s Tour online to get tastings and go deep into whiskey-making know-how.

Desert Diamond Distillery

For our next stop in the Arizona craft distillery scene, we’re taking you three and a half hours northwest of Phoenix to Desert Diamond Distillery. Located along The Mother Road, Dessert Diamond Distillery is just a quick hop and skip away from the Route 66 Museum. But before you explore everything Kingman, Arizona, offers, stop off at Desert Diamond Distillery for a tour.

Diamond Desert Distillery started the whole Arizona craft distillery scene as the Grand Canyon State’s oldest distillery. And as the distillery with the most awards for craft spirits in Arizona, they may just have the best distillery tour in the Southwest.

Their Gold Minor Aged 10-year Rum placed in the top ten rums in the world at the International Wine and Spirit Competition located in London in 2021. Desert Diamond Distillery’s Gold Miner Vodka is smooth, and since it’s made with sugar cane, it’s also gluten-free. As the best distillery tour in Arizona with agave rum, 7-year-aged whiskey, and corn whiskey, Desert Diamond Distillery is the most fun to be had along Route 66.

Desert Diamond Distillery is located at 4875 Olympic Drive in Kingman, Arizona. They offer several tours you can book online. Call (928) 757-7611 for more information.

Whiskey Del Bac

Next, we’re going back into the valley to show you the Arizona craft distillery scene just two hours south of Phoenix, in Tucson. Whiskey Del Bac was conceived by lifelong desert dweller Stephen Paul and his wife, Elaine. With family roots dating back a century in the Southwest, Stephen was inspired to create a whiskey that embodied the Southwest. Today, Whiskey Del Bac offers over a dozen types of whiskey and the best distillery tour in Tucson.

The ultimate guide to craft spirits in Arizona isn’t complete without mentioning an award-winning single malt whiskey made with the region’s mesquite wood. Whiskey Del Bac Dorado is made using Scottish techniques and smoked over a mesquite fire, earning it high marks from Whiskey Advocate.

But Whiskey Del Bac’s offerings don’t stop with the Dorado. Also on the menu is their Classic, voted one of the legendary Top 100 Spirits in the World in 2021. Whiskey Del Bac changes things up with their Old Pueblo white dog whiskey. Unlike its Scottish-inspired cousins, Old Pueblo isn’t aged and represents a true Southwest whiskey.

While you’re in Tucson, get yourself a Saguaro hot dog. And check out Saguaro National Park. The area of the park on the West side of Tucson is generally considered the most scenic. Old Tucson is a fun escape into Hollywood magic where you can watch stuntmen enact movie-quality gunfights. Or you can enjoy a peaceful tour of San Xavier del Bac Mission.

You’ll need to take a tour of the Whiskey Del Bac Distillery to try these year-round staples, along with their wide variety of seasonal and limited-run whiskeys. You’ll find Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson at 2106 North Forbes Blvd.

O.H.S.O. Brewery & Distillery

We’re taking you full circle by ending our distillery hop back in Phoenix or just north of it, anyway, near Old Town Scottsdale. The Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost is a mouthful. That’s why owner, Jon Lane, shortened his brewery and distillery’s name to O.H.S.O. And it’s the go-to place in the Arizona craft distillery scene with taste profiles that put the Outrageous in O.H.S.O. From cucumber to jalapeno to horseradish, you’ll find a variety of interesting and tasty vodkas. Additionally, O.H.S.O. also has a Hashtag Collection of rum, gin, and vodka with more traditional taste profiles that are no less flavorful.

Scottsdale is the site of the Old West town that started it all in the Valley of the Sun. Today, Scottsdale is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants, shopping, and art galleries in the Phoenix area. Schedule your distillery tour during one of Scottsdale’s ArtWalks and follow up your spirit tasting by enjoying the live entertainment and viewing the pricey art in world-class galleries. Or, instead, take in one of the many hikes in the surrounding. Just make sure you explore the desert before you explore O.H.S.O.’s spirits.

O.H.S.O. offers tours at several locations in the Greater Phoenix area, including Scottsdale. As a bonus, your O.H.S.O. tour also includes a bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best distilleries in Arizona?

There’s no shortage of distilleries in Arizona. The best of the Arizona craft distillery scene centers around Phoenix and the surrounding area.

How many distilleries are in Arizona?

There are literally dozens of distilleries in Arizona. Many of them are concentrated in Phoenix.

Where should I go for Arizona distillery tours?

While there are many distilleries throughout the state, you’ll find the best Arizona distilleries within driving distance from Phoenix.

Conclusion

Tombstone’s reenactment of the shootout at the O.K. Corral is fun, but campy. And Arizona has done more for Route 66 than any other state along the Mother Road. And, yeah, that big hole in the earth is nothing short of amazing.

But if you honestly want to learn what The Grand Canyon State is all about, you have to check out the Arizona craft distillery scene. These distillers know what they’re doing. And what they’re doing is bringing the Old West into the future. And let Distillery Nearby be your ultimate craft distillery scene guide!