Looking Towards the Future on Our 10th Anniversary
On March 19th, 2014, a dream became reality as St. Augustine Distillery opened its doors to the public for the very first time. This journey, however, truly began in 2011 when our co-founders Philip McDaniel and Mike Diaz began to formulate their vision for a craft distillery that truly embodied the spirit of the Sunshine State. In the following years, with the help of community sponsors, they purchased the historic ice plant on Riberia Street, visited craft distilleries around the country, assembled a team, and began to create their first spirits. The grand opening on March 19th was the culmination of years of hard work and community support, but it was truly just the beginning.
When St. Augustine Distillery first opened, we sold one spirit: our Florida Cane Vodka, made from pure Florida sugar cane. Before long, our core lineup grew: we introduced our New World Gin, a citrus-forward gin highlighting the flavors of Florida, our Pot Distilled Rum upholding Florida’s proud rum-making tradition, and, of course, our Florida Double Cask Bourbon, the very first bourbon to be distilled, aged, and bottled entirely in the state of Florida.
CFO and co-founder, Mike Diaz, and CEO and co-founder, Philip McDaniel, signing bottles at the first bourbon release.
Like our bourbon, we have only gotten better with time. Our spirit offerings have expanded to include several limited-edition releases, from collaborations with local businesses like our Port Finished Bourbon to luxury-finished bourbons like our Explorer Collection. We take pride in our role as spirit educators, introducing a variety of guided classes centered on our spirits. We remain active in the local community, partnering with local organizations like Discover Fort Mose and Colonial Quarter for exciting events throughout the year.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of our first decade, we continue to look forward. With an unyielding resolve to embody the vibrancy of Florida in all we do, we are proud to share the vision for both our brand and our spirits in the years to come.
Our Brand Today
Exploration, discovery, and a bold optimism are the heart and soul of our distillery. As we passionately craft high-quality spirits with the very best ingredients, we take great care to be transparent with our supporters. The Spirit of Florida® is more than just beaches and history: it’s a commitment to produce the best spirits we can in Florida, from Florida, by Floridians. These are the values we hold most dear:
TRAILBLAZERS
We are proud to be one of the first craft distilleries in Florida and pioneers of Florida-style bourbon. Guided by our state’s unique climate, we continually examine and improve our products, methods, and experiences to create the best spirits possible. We are driven by creativity and innovation to enhance our spirits at every turn.
COMMUNITY ENGAGED
Culture, sustainability, and opportunity are the backbone of our thriving community. We are committed to providing rich employment opportunities, promoting community arts and culture, and partnering with local organizations to tackle issues like affordable housing and renewable energy.
HONEST EDUCATORS
From our inception, our mission has been to educate, entertain, and inspire each and every person who walks through our doors. This commitment is rooted in our passion to share our craft and a desire to help our guests understand how their favorite spirits go from grain to glass.
In the past year, we have proudly expanded our tour offerings to include intimate guided experiences for all backgrounds, interests, and experience levels. Our Spirit of Florida Bourbon Experience offers our guests a chance to dive deep into the world of Florida bourbon, while our Perfect Pair Tasting Experience gives spirit lovers the opportunity to explore flavor pairings with their favorite foods and cocktails. Those interested in mixology can join us for our Cocktail Crafting Experience, and those who want to take their spirit education to the next level can take our Certified Bourbon Steward Course!
Partnerships with organizations like Stave & Thief Society and Bourbon Women, two of the premier bourbon education organizations in the country, underline our desire to welcome folks of all backgrounds into the world of bourbon in celebration of America’s native spirit.
VIBRANT AND WELCOMING
Whether you choose to enjoy our spirits at our distillery, at home, or out on the town, we aim to invoke the Spirit of Florida® with every sip. The vibrancy of our home state remains at the heart of all we do, allowing the warmth and welcoming spirit of Florida to shine through in every sip.
The Future of Our Spirit
We are thrilled to share the latest advancements and strategic shifts in our distillation practices at St. Augustine Distillery. These changes, inspired by a decade of learning and innovation in the art of crafting spirits, signify our commitment to pushing boundaries and elevating the quality of our offerings. Join us as we explore the future of our spirits, driven by a dedication to excellence and a passion for the craft.
UPDATED MASH BILL
In 2023, we began to experiment with a new mash bill for the first time since opening our doors. Over the years, we have learned from and adapted to the nuances of our unique environment, gaining insights that inform our distillation practices. This wealth of knowledge gives us the confidence to develop a recipe that both complements our region and adds depth to our collection.
While the fruits of our endeavors won’t be immediately apparent as our initial batches are still aging, we eagerly anticipate the evolution and expansion of our bourbon offerings.
CHANGE IN BARREL ENTRY PROOF
In order for a spirit to be considered bourbon, it must meet a number of qualifications: to name a few, it must be created entirely in the United States, distilled from a mash bill of at least 51% corn, and aged in a new charred oak container. It must also enter the oak container at no more than 125 proof.
For many years, we have filled our barrels with new-make whiskey ranging from 110-115 proof to create a softer, more robust spirit. However, in the past year, we have begun to experiment with a barrel entry proof of 120, which is more common among bourbon distillers. We believe that this higher entry proof will allow our spirit to age for longer periods before taking on any bitter, less desirable flavors. Higher entry proof also means less evaporation which leads to using fewer barrels, helping us uphold our commitment to sustainability in our distillation process.
SOURCING WHISKEY
Our commitment to the art of craft bourbon extends from fermentation to aging to distillation, and we take great pride in the fact that every drop of bourbon that leaves our facility has been distilled, aged, and bottled by St. Augustine Distillery. Yet, as we grow and evolve, we recognize the potential for innovation that comes from blending our own distillate with sourced whiskey from around the country. We are also excited by the creations coming from many non-distilling producers.
The decision to incorporate sourced whiskey is more than just pragmatism: it is an artistic endeavor that aims to enhance our offerings and showcase the unique characteristics of Florida bourbon. Sourcing spirits permits us to play with new flavors and grain recipes, and cuts down on the time we must wait to see an experiment come to fruition. Sourcing also helps us to showcase small distilleries, a continuation of our efforts to advocate for craft spirits nationwide.
As we explore these new possibilities, we will do so with transparency. Any future releases which incorporate sourced spirit will be clearly labeled with the origin of any outside spirits being clearly explained. As we explore the art of whiskey blending, we remain committed to innovating with our recipes as well.
Take This Journey With Us
The Spirit of Florida® is one of discovery, so much so that our founders continually refer to our existence as a journey. We continue to learn, grow, and mature over time to provide the greatest spirits we possibly can. Now, as we enter our second decade and beyond, we invite you to join us on this journey.
We are truly grateful for your support over the past 10 years, and we invite you to raise a glass to the future of St. Augustine Distillery and Florida craft spirits. Thank you for being part of this journey!
