Sutherland Distilling

I recommend anybody who is interested in fine spirits to check this place out. They make a excellent product and are serious about their craft. Very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. Had a great time doing some tasting there!

Very interesting place. We usually think of Livermore as wine country, then they added beer, and now they’ve added hard liquor.
The company is right near Costco– you simply go the opposite way (away from Costco) on Independence drive– and head up to the top of the hill.
The operation is small right now, but very interesting. They’ll tell you all about their still, and how they pull off the various liquors in their 16 plate column. I found that very interesting. They’ll also tell you how they are making an all California Bourbon– even the rye is grown here! A guy in Grass Valley grows it as his cover crop, so they get California Rye! they also add non-​gmo corn, and malted barley. We really liked the vodka and the rum. That 120 proof rum is something else. The rum has lots of taste– it has caramel flavor, and it’s quite sweet. It’s made from sugar, not molasses. I thought the vodka was interesting too. It has a delicate sweetness to it.
There is a 10 dollar per person tasting fee– and you get 6 pours for that (½ ounce per pour). You cannot buy the product at the Distillery– you can only get tastes.

I recently stopped in for one of the weekend tours of the distillery. The owners Ryan and Eric personally gave the tour, and did a great job of explaining the Distilling process and their business philosophy. I was really impressed with the whole operation before I even got to taste anything. The whole ‘soil to spirit’ idea really resonates with me. And on top of that they are super local, almost making this stuff in my backyard!
Needless to say I was sold before I even tried the product. And then I tried the rum. BEST. RUM. EVER.
I am so excited that I can now buy their products in the local liquor stores. I can make my favorite cocktails with delicious liquor from a local small business. This company is awesome, you should totally check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed.

Great guys, great product! Located in Livermore CA, well known for a growing wine and brewery scene, Sutherland Distilling Co. is at the forefront of the craft distillation trend. Using only local quality ingredients, the small batch products they release are phenomenal!
Walking into the tasting room, you are immediately drawn toward a long wooden tasting «bar» composed of a single cut of reclaimed wood. Along the perimeter of the tasting room American white oak barrels patiently age the artfully crafted spirits.
Definitely ask for a tour of the distillation room where even a novice will be intrigued and amazed at the science and art that goes into making such a unique product.
It was quite possibly the best vodka I have EVER tasted! And if 2 month old aged rum tastes this good, I CAN’T WAIT for the bourbon whiskey to be ready!
What are you waiting for?! Stop by for a visit and support your only local distillery!!!