Gin · Utah
Gin Distilleries in Utah
Tour 5 gin distilleries in Utah. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including Alpine Distilling, Waterpocket Distillery, Holladay Distillery.
5distilleries
Clear Water Distilling Co.
Prohibition-themed tours of small-batch spirits
About gin distilleries in Utah
Utah's gin scene is small, mountain-bred and surprisingly decorated. The modern industry only really began once distilling became legal again in the state in the mid-2000s, but in a short time Utah gin has earned international attention, helped by Park City's Alpine Distilling, whose distiller has won recognition from the London Gin Guild and is known for vapour-infusion work. The state's geography shapes the glass: high-altitude air, clean mountain water and a landscape of red rock and alpine forest give Utah gins a distinctly Western sense of place. Alongside Alpine, you'll find Waterpocket Distillery in West Valley City, named for the geology of Capitol Reef and producing a layered, many-botanical gin; New World Distillery out in the Ogden Valley; plus Clear Water Distilling Co. and the historic Holladay Distillery. With distilleries clustered between Salt Lake City and Park City, gin makes an easy and rewarding theme for a day out, provided you plan around Utah's particular liquor rules.
What makes Gin here special
Utah gin is defined by altitude, water and craft. Distillers here work with clean mountain water and high-elevation air, and several have pushed technique hard: Alpine Distilling in Park City is known for vapour-infusion, hanging botanicals so the spirit vapour passes through them, and its distiller has been recognised by the London Gin Guild, a rare distinction for a small American producer. Botanical bills tend to be ambitious; Waterpocket Distillery's gin, named after the Capitol Reef landscape, layers Tuscan juniper, coriander, orris, cinnamon, fennel, citrus and chamomile among others. New World Distillery in the Ogden Valley and Clear Water Distilling Co. add their own takes, while Holladay Distillery carries the weight of one of the state's older names. The through-line is a sense of place: these gins taste like the mountains they're made in.
What to expect from a Gin tasting
Tastings became legal at Utah distilleries relatively recently, and the experience is tightly regulated, total spirits served at one time cannot exceed 2.5 ounces, so flights are deliberately measured. That actually suits gin well: a small, considered pour of two or three expressions lets you focus on botanical detail. At Alpine Distilling, the visit can be hands-on, with guests selecting and smelling botanicals before tasting the spirit, while Waterpocket and New World offer more relaxed tasting-room formats. Tours walk you through the still house and the thinking behind the botanical bill. Tasting rooms can sell to-go bottles, but containers must stay closed on the premises. Hours are generally good, distilleries can sell every day of the week, but it's still worth checking and booking tours ahead.
Best for and planning your visit
Utah gin is ideal for travellers who want quality over quantity and a strong sense of landscape. The distilleries sit conveniently between Salt Lake City and Park City, so you can pair a city base with a mountain tasting and even fold in skiing or hiking. It suits couples, small groups and anyone curious about technique, Alpine in particular rewards the inquisitive. Plan around Utah's rules: sample sizes are capped, so think in terms of two or three thoughtful stops rather than a long crawl, and arrange a designated driver or rideshare. If you want to take bottles home, confirm the tasting room sells retail, and remember purchases must stay sealed until you leave.
Frequently asked
- What makes Utah gin distinctive?
- Altitude, clean mountain water and ambitious craft. Park City's Alpine Distilling is known for vapour-infusion and London Gin Guild recognition, while gins like Waterpocket's use layered botanical bills inspired by Utah's landscape, giving them a strong Western sense of place.
- Which Utah distilleries make gin?
- Listed gin producers include Alpine Distilling in Park City, Waterpocket Distillery in West Valley City, New World Distillery in the Ogden Valley, Clear Water Distilling Co. and the Holladay Distillery.
- Can you taste gin at Utah distilleries?
- Yes, though tastings were only legalised relatively recently and are regulated. The total amount of spirits served at one time is capped at 2.5 ounces, so flights are small and measured, which suits a focused gin tasting.
- What is vapour-infusion and where can I see it?
- Vapour-infusion suspends botanicals so the spirit vapour passes through them rather than steeping them in the liquid. Alpine Distilling in Park City is known for the technique, and its distiller has been recognised by the London Gin Guild.
- Can I buy gin to take home from a Utah distillery?
- Often yes, tasting rooms can sell to-go bottles, but containers must remain closed while you are on the premises. Confirm retail availability with the distillery before visiting.
- Where are Utah's gin distilleries located?
- Most sit between Salt Lake City and Park City, with New World out in the Ogden Valley. The cluster makes it easy to base yourself in the city and pair a tasting with mountain activities.
- Do I need to book a Utah distillery tour in advance?
- It's wise. Distilleries can sell every day of the week, but tour times and tasting formats vary, especially for hands-on experiences. Check the distillery's schedule and arrange a designated driver or rideshare.