Distillery tours
Distillery Tours in Arizona
Plan a distillery tour in Arizona: 5 distilleries to visit, with tastings and experiences you can book directly. Expect Craft Spirits, Bourbon, Gin and more. Highlights include Arizona Distilling Co., SanTan Spirits, Outlaw Distillery (Tempe).
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About distillery tours in Arizona
Arizona's craft-distilling scene is shaped by its landscape as much as by its distillers. The Sonoran Desert supplies the defining flavour of the state's most celebrated spirit, mesquite-smoked single malt whiskey, and the wider region has grown into a network of more than fifty distilleries, several of which have earned acclaim at the biggest American spirits competitions. The story runs from Tucson in the south, where Whiskey Del Bac built its reputation on whiskey smoked over Sonoran mesquite, up through the Phoenix metro and its East Valley, home to grain-to-glass producers in Chandler, Tempe and beyond. Along the way you will find bourbon and malt whiskey from Arizona-grown grain, corn vodka inspired by the old Spanish missions, and gins that lean into desert botanicals. A trail here is a study in terroir: hot days, big skies and ingredients drawn from the arid Southwest give Arizona spirits a character all their own. Arizona Distilling Co., Outlaw Distillery, SanTan Spirits, Three Wells Distilling and Whiskey Del Bac together offer a tour that spans the state's growing reputation for distinctive, place-driven spirits.
Following the Arizona trail
The trail divides neatly into two hubs. In the south, Tucson is anchored by Whiskey Del Bac, widely credited as a pioneer of American single malt smoked with Sonoran mesquite, a flavour that has come to define Arizona whiskey. To the north, the Phoenix metro and its East Valley cluster the rest: Arizona Distilling Co., known for its Commerce Gin, Copper City Bourbon and mission-inspired corn vodka; SanTan Spirits in Chandler, working grain-to-glass with a string of competition awards; Outlaw Distillery in Tempe; and Three Wells Distilling. Pairing a Tucson day with a Phoenix-area day covers the ground without a punishing amount of driving, and lets the desert scenery between the two cities become part of the trip.
Distilleries worth prioritising
For the most distinctly Arizonan experience, prioritise Whiskey Del Bac, whose mesquite-smoked single malt is the spirit that put the state on the whiskey map. In the Phoenix area, Arizona Distilling Co. is a strong all-rounder, with an award-winning gin, a bourbon and a corn vodka rooted in local grain and history, while SanTan Spirits in Chandler appeals to those who want to see grain-to-glass production from a maker recognised at major competitions. Outlaw in Tempe and Three Wells round out the East Valley. Cluster your visits by city rather than trying to crisscross the state in one go.
Where to stay & eat nearby
Tucson offers a relaxed base for the southern leg, with a celebrated food scene and easy access to Whiskey Del Bac before the drive north. In the Phoenix metro, Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler put you within reach of the East Valley distilleries and a wide range of hotels, restaurants and bars, with Tempe and Chandler especially convenient for Outlaw, SanTan and Three Wells. Many of the distilleries sit near brewing and dining districts, so it is easy to build an afternoon of tasting into a fuller evening out.
Getting there & around
Phoenix Sky Harbor is the main gateway, with Tucson International serving the south. The distance between the two cities means a hire car is the practical choice for the full trail, with desert highway driving between the hubs. Summer heat is intense, so plan visits and travel times accordingly and keep water to hand. Because every stop centres on tasting, line up a designated driver or use a ride service within each city so you can sample freely and safely.
Frequently asked
- What is Arizona whiskey known for?
- Mesquite-smoked single malt. Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson is widely credited as a pioneer of American single malt smoked over Sonoran Desert mesquite, giving Arizona a signature flavour that distinguishes it from other US whiskey regions.
- How many distilleries does Arizona have?
- There are more than fifty distilleries across the state, and a number of them have earned recognition at major events such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, reflecting how quickly the scene has grown.
- Where are most Arizona distilleries located?
- They cluster in two areas: Tucson in the south, home to Whiskey Del Bac, and the Phoenix metro and East Valley, where Arizona Distilling Co., SanTan Spirits, Outlaw and Three Wells are based. Grouping visits by hub keeps driving manageable.
- Can I taste more than whiskey on the trail?
- Yes. Alongside whiskey you will find gin, bourbon, corn vodka and other spirits. Arizona Distilling Co., for example, is known for its Commerce Gin and a corn vodka inspired by the region's old Spanish missions, as well as its bourbon.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Arizona summers are extremely hot, so the cooler months are generally more comfortable for travelling between distilleries and exploring the desert. Whenever you go, plan driving around the heat of the day and carry plenty of water.
- Do I need a car to follow the Arizona trail?
- For the full trail, yes, because Tucson and the Phoenix area are a meaningful drive apart. Within each city you can use ride services, but a car makes connecting the two hubs far easier. Always arrange a designated driver for tasting days.