On the border between the United States and Canada, Minnesota is the home of more than 10,000 lakes. Many people find themselves traveling through the state, looking for unique things to do. On your next stop, plan to visit some craft distilleries in this beautiful state. Work your way through this Minnesota distillery directory of spirits for details on behind-the-scenes looks at how your favorite spirits are made. 

O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company in SE Minneapolis, Minnesota

As you might tell from their name, they aim to bring the best of Irish and American whiskey traditions together. This Minnesota distillery says the magic begins with the three triple copper pots where they make their American whiskey in the tradition of Irish triple distillation. 

Their flagship whiskey, Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey, delights everyone who tastes it as it marries the characteristics of rich Irish grain and pot still whiskeys with the flavorful American rye. This 86-proof whiskey tastes of candied ginger, vanilla, lemon zest, sweet biscuits, and stewed fruit and has notes of spices, candy sweetness, and freshly charred oak. The finish is a pleasant and long with  spiced caramel.

Are you looking for something more? Try their 110-proof version of the same whiskey! You’ll also find a 10-year single malt Irish whiskey and an Irish bourbon with notes of freshly charred virgin oak, earthy spices, and the butterscotch sweetness from Irish grain whiskey.

You’ll find several tour and tasting experiences:

• Whiskey Tour and Flight, where they guide you through how their whiskey is made, and you’ll enjoy a tasting you won’t soon forget.
• Irish American Whiskey Tasting is a special tour where you learn about their signature blends of six great whiskeys and taste them all.
• A cocktail-making class where you learn to perfect the Old Fashioned and the Manhattan in this one-hour class.
• In the Whiskey Blending Class, you spend two hours on a distillery tour to learn about whiskey making, test your way through a flight, and have three chances to craft your own blend.

After all this learning, you can relax in their cocktail bar and restaurant.

Visit website > 

Jay Carver Distillery in Waconia, Minnesota

Located right in the farming heart of Carver County, this distillery celebrates the pioneering spirit of Jonathan Carver. Using grains, fruits, and botanicals from Minnesota farmers, their goal is local farm-to-glass spirits using sustainable practices.

They have an award-winning line of bourbons, ryes, wheat whiskeys, brandies, barrel gin, vodka, and specialty spirits. Born in 2012, one of their award-winning whiskeys is the Brickyard Straight Bourbon. They use corn for sweetness and local winter wheat to create this soft-feeling bourbon.

Their Island Brew Brandy is 80-proof and a limited release. They make it in cooperation with local Minnesota vintners from their cool climate grapes. It ages for two years in toasted barrels. It’s a must-try. They are open for tours, tastings, and cocktails on Saturdays with a reservation. You’ll enjoy meeting their staff, tasting samples, and enjoying craft cocktails, too.

Visit website > 

Rockfilter Distillery in Spring Grove, Minnesota

Our next Minnesota distillery tour is a certified farm distillery making small batches of organic bourbon and whiskey. Their bourbon and rye whiskeys have won numerous awards. They are a seed-to-sip, multiple award-winning operation. They grow all their own certified organic grains, and some say the magic of their whiskey is in their water. It turns out their natural Karst limestone aquifer has the very same geology you find in the birthplace of bourbon: Kentucky.

Here are a few of their spirits:

• Giants of the Earth is an organic small-batch bourbon that begins with the classic mash of corn and rye. It gets its earthy, rich taste from the rare addition of grain sorghum. It lives in new charred American White Oak barrels where it gets its flavor from roasted brown sugars and toasted nuts. You’ll notice a hit of fruit and dark vanilla, too.
• Red Rider Rye is an organic small-batch rye whiskey made from a high rye grain mash. Its uniqueness comes from the added Applewood Smoked Oats. You’ll notice a light smokiness and spicy earthiness. The notes include light toffee, dried oranges, sweet raisins, smoke, black tea, mint, and pepper.
• They have many more, so you’ll enjoy a wide range on your visit.

You can book a tour to learn about and taste their award-winning bourbon on the second Saturday of each month for $18. This includes a private tasting and $2 off a cocktail after the tour.

Visit website >  

Panther Distillery in Osakis, Minnesota

This distillery began in 2011 and lies in lake country. They love that their spirits are exposed to all four seasons, and they cold age their barrels every year to make their spirits unique. They embrace the bitter cold in Minnesota and use it well.

With three 500-gallon copper stills that are American made, they use fresh, locally grown yellow corn, red wheat, and red rye in their mash. Nothing comes from further away than 30 miles.

With many different options, here are a few of their spirits:

• Ordeal Straight Bourbon is aged for four years. It’s smooth and perfect for a cocktail. You’ll notice a strong wheat taste as well as caramel and vanilla.
• Minnesota 14 is Minnesota’s oldest whiskey. Hand-crafted in small batches and cold weather aged, you’ll love this all-corn whiskey.

You can visit Panther during the week for tastings and tours. The tours are free, and you can stay around for a whiskey tasting. Try their three signature whiskeys and take a shot glass home for just $10.

Visit website > 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many distilleries are there in Minnesota?

There are 38 of them. Many belong to the Minnesota Distiller’s Guild. 

What is Minnesota’s oldest distillery?

Panther Distillery is Minnesota’s original distillery. 

Why do people visit Minnesota?

People like to see the state with 10,000 lakes, the Twin Cities, and even the Mall of America. 

The Land of 10,000 Lakes and Multiple Distilleries

You are now ready for your tour of the great state of Minnesota. You can work your way through this Minnesota distillery directory of spirits, and you’ll soon be an expert on what the state has to offer! 

If you want more information about the best distillery experiences in Minnesota, please visit Distillerynearby.com. It’s your ultimate online source for whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin, and other spirits.