Austin Hill Country is punctuated by wineries and distilleries on almost every summit, particularly those that produce whiskey. Crowded Barrel, Revolution Spirits, and Desert Door come immediately to mind, forming a nice little tasting tour all the way to Dripping Springs. But you don’t have to go that far for a taste of Texas whiskey; though our city doesn’t have many to begin with, the one-and-only Austin whiskey distillery with a tasting room is located in the same vicinity as St. Elmo’s Brewing Company and the Texas Sake Company on a side road off South Congress. Still Austin Whiskey Company is a distinctive grain-to-glass tasting experience of specially blended Texas whiskey in the heart of the city.
Still Austin Whiskey Company is a unique distillery because it sports a 42-foot towering still named Nancy, after the “the main character in the sci-fi classic Attack of the 50-Foot Woman,” according to their website. The first of her kind in Texas, Nancy remains the only column in America built by the Scottish still-makers of Forsyths in Rothes. Nancy is part of the reason the whiskey at this distillery in Austin is so damn good. Not to mention how they take “all the corporate nonsense out of the distilling process.” Still Austin Whiskey Company only sources ingredients from local farmers, ensuring that every step taken is both ethically and ecologically fit. The whiskey is then aged in clean barrels until the proof is just right, and then it’s served to you in a tasting glass.
The tasting room at this whiskey distillery in Austin is paradise, where professional bartenders shake up deliciously inventive cocktails out of the newly distilled bourbon whiskey and gin. Of course, if you’re a true spirits fan, you’ll have a glass straight and sit back as the flavors melt in your mouth. Available now is “The Musician” straight bourbon and “The Naturalist” American gin, each distilled with 100% Texas grains and strong distinguishing flavors, but you can always find their previous releases online.
Grab your drink and head to the patio, where you’ll find The Bearded Baking Company food truck with a selection of sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, and desserts. When you’re ready to take a look around, distillery tours start at $15 to see where the magic happens, or $40 to taste whiskey straight from the barrel and learn from a professional distiller. Still Austin Whiskey Company also serves as a private event rental space, seating up to 60 guests or 130 standing.
Still Austin Whiskey Company had a goal of bringing iconic Texas whiskey straight to the heart of Austin to build a tight-knit community of spirits lovers, and that’s exactly what they did. If you’re looking to pick up a bottle without visiting the whiskey distillery in Austin, there are hundreds of liquor stores around the city that carry this Travis County brand, so it’s easy to find one near you. Otherwise, you can find Still Austin Whiskey Company at 440 E St Elmo Road, open Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 10 pm, and Saturday – Sunday, 11 am – 10 pm.