St. Augustine Distillery Marks A Decade Of Excellence In Craft Spirits

St. Augustine Distillery, a leading name in the Florida craft spirits industry, is gearing up to celebrate a significant milestone - its 10th anniversary on Tuesday, March 19th. This event marks a decade of innovation, dedication, and strong community support that has seen the distillery evolve from revitalizing a historic ice plant into a pioneer of bourbon distillation in Florida. The journey began in November 2012 when co-founders Mike Diaz and Philip McDaniel took over the then-dormant FP&L Ice Plant with the ambitious goal of producing Florida's first bourbon.

The distillery's commitment to preserving history while innovating was recognized early on, with multiple awards in 2014 for the meticulous restoration of the historic building. These accolades include the "Excellence in Adaptive Reuse" from the Urban Land Institute and "The Adelaide Sanchez Award" from The City of St. Augustine. The St. Augustine Distillery initially launched with Florida Cane Vodka and later expanded its product line to include New World Gin and Pot Distilled Rum. A significant milestone was reached with the launch of "Florida Double Cask Bourbon," the first bourbon to be fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely in Florida.

Over the years, St Augustine Distillery has expanded its bourbon portfolio to include multiple award-winning products such as Florida Straight Bourbon, The Saint, Port Finished Bourbon, and several Limited Release offerings. Susan Phillips, president and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and the Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, commended the distillery for its role in promoting Florida’s Historic Coast to spirits enthusiasts worldwide.

The distillery has not only been a leader in spirit production but has also been recognized for its exceptional visitor experience. It was named "Best Craft Gin Distillery" by USAToday’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards in 2016 and received accolades for its guided tour experience, including being voted "Best Whiskey Tour in North America" in the 2018 Drammie Awards and "Best Distillery Tour" in USAToday’s 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Philip McDaniel, CEO and co-founder, highlighted the collective efforts that have contributed to enhancing Florida's craft distilling scene, creating local jobs, and establishing Florida as a producer of world-class bourbon. In celebration of their 10th anniversary, St. Augustine Distillery is set to release a highly exclusive 10-Year Anniversary Blend bourbon. This blend incorporates four of the distillery’s oldest bourbon barrels, each aged over nine years, with approximately 400 bottles available for purchase in-store starting Saturday, March 16th.

Located strategically between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast is home to historic St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. This region has been significantly promoted through the efforts of entities like St. Augustine Distillery, contributing to its recognition as a premier destination for visitors.