Southeast: 2026 Top Tasting Rooms

Southeastern Tasting Rooms

The Top Tasting Rooms is a new 2026 list we released through Craft Spirits Magazine. Top tasting rooms—46, to be exact—were chosen through a comprehensive review of each nomination’s design, atmosphere, and community impact. Evaluators looked at when the space opened, how the layout functions for guests and staff, and how well the design and ambiance reflect the distillery’s brand and ethos. They also considered the range of events hosted, the space’s commitment to inclusivity, and any unique, innovative, or story‑driven elements that set the tasting room apart.

Catoctin Creek

Purcellville, Virginia
catoctincreekdistilling.com
Built in 1921, the building was Purcellville’s first Buick dealership at a time when cars looked like horseless carriages. This space was used for car sales for 51 years, and the Catoctin Creek team has since incorporated that history into the tasting room. It is a bold architectural statement showcasing classic industrial and art moderne elements that hearken back to the 1920s. Tables made from old automotive parts tie in that history, while the period glass windows showcase the distillery machinery in the adjacent room.

92 Acres

Charlottesville, Virginia
92acres.com
The space was originally a home of one of the founders of Ragged Branch Distillery. When a tasting room was needed, he moved out of the space to allow the business to flourish. His children sought to create a new venture and have taken on the mantles of founders in their own right with 92 Acres. They have revamped the tasting room with new decor, added more spirits to the menu, and regularly host events.

Southern Distilling Company

Statesville, North Carolina
southerndistillingcompany.com
The tasting room blends “industrial grit with refined indulgence,” with warm copper accents and barrel-aged wood offering an aesthetic counterpoint to the exposed brick and steel beams. Polished concrete floors, ambient lighting, leather seating and a velvet-finished wood bar complete the space, which frequently hosts car shows, live music, sip-and-paints, holiday open houses and more.

Twelve 33 Distillery

Little River, South Carolina
twelve33distillery.com
The name Twelve 33 references month/year of prohibition repeal and reflects South Carolina’s prohibition history with its steampunk glam inspired hidden speakeasy, retail shop, and tasting room. It is warm, rustic, upscale, and offers live music and private events with charity events often held for SCPA, Rotary Club, and COC.

Distillery of Modern Art

Chamblee, Georgia
distilleryofmodernart.com
The distillery lives up to its name, as the tasting room space includes a modern art gallery that is commission free. Local artists who sell work in the gallery or tasting room receive 100% of the purchase price. The theme carries over to its events, as the distillery regularly hosts art classes, as well as standup comedy, chef dinners, live music and yoga.

Manifest Distilling

Jacksonville, Florida
manifestdistilling.com
This full-service cocktail bar is industrial, modern, sleek with a strong focus on education and community involvement, both of which they believe are important parts of the overall experience. There are public and private tours, cocktail classes, monthly yoga, monthly cooking classes hosted in the enclosed tasting room with views of the distillery equipment.

Gulf Stream Distillery

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
gulfstreamdistillery.com
Gulf Stream Distillery is the only distillery in South Florida with a speakeasy. The collection of art, movie props, animal busts, and random items from across the world make it a visually engaging space. It is where industrial meets classic with a ton of unique items from across this world. From the jet engine chandelier, fake bookcase that opens to the speakeasy – it’s an experience.

ChainBridge Distillery

Oakland Park, Florida
chainbridgedistillery.com
ChainBridge Distillery is an elegant and welcoming community space where everyone feels comfortable gathering, learning, and celebrating together. The tasting room offers a rustic-industrial atmosphere that is intimate and education with frequent cocktail mixing classes.

Prova Spirits

Louisville, Kentucky
https://provaspirits.com/
Prova has hosted events that support and donate to LGBTQ charities, women’s networking events, and raising funds for animal welfare. The distillery, which prides itself on not being laser-focused on bourbon in the heart of bourbon country, says its tasting room was designed to be a safe space for anyone who wanted to enjoy cocktails but didn’t want to feel like they were at a “boys club.”

Larrikin Bourbon Co.

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
larrikinbourbon.com
The Land Down Under meets the Bluegrass State. Larrikin’s tasting room blends “refined Kentucky bourbon heritage with a bold, modern Australian edge,” with warm natural wood, leather seating, brushed brass accents, and textured stone elements that evoke the rugged landscapes of both Kentucky and Australia.