Still Austin Whiskey Co - Bourbon Obsessed

Still Austin Whiskey Co

Bar - Tasting Room - Still Austin Whiskey Co

Patio & Food Truck - Still Austin Whiskey Co

Cooker - Still Austin Whiskey Co

Fermenters -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Beer Well -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Column Still -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Small Hybrid Still -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Barrelling Area -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Bottling Line -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Tasting Area -Still Austin Whiskey Co

Taster Set -Still Austin Whiskey Co

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Still Austin Whiskey Co.

440 East St. Elmo Road

Austin, TX 78745

(512) 276-2700

info@stillaustin.com

The Still Austin Whiskey Co. is located in South Austin, Texas in a uniquely repurposed warehouse district. Distilling since 2017, all of their spirits are crafted using Texas-grown grains with a “grain to glass” approach. To date Still Austin produces a bourbon, gin, and a white dog or “New Make”. We met our tour guide, Josh, inside the cocktail bar-tasting room eager to learn more about their methods. After introductions, we headed outside where Josh began the tour with a discussion regarding the grains used. All grains are locally grown. Corn, wheat, and rye, are each stored in one of three very large silos at the front of the distillery entrance. All grains are then milled on-site (the mill house is just behind the silos) before being transferred inside to the cooker.

Approximately 4,400 pounds of grain is used for each cook, of which there are two each day. After the cook, the mash is transferred to one of the nearby 1800 gallon fermenters. Average fermentation time is around 3 days, after which the distiller’s beer has an alcohol content of around 10% ABV. Then it is off to the stills. For the bourbon, there is the 42 foot column still (Nancy) made by Forsyth in Scotland. There are some great photos on the Still Austin’s Instagram page showing her journey from the docks of Scotland to her permanent resting place in the still tower of the distillery by crane. Nancy is also used for the initial distillation of the gin. The second still (The Queen) is a hybrid pot-4 plate column still manufactured by Corson, and is used as a finishing still for the gin and experimental batches. Interesting to note is that the stills are named after women, while the fermenters are named after men.

Following distillation, the whiskey is barreled on site in char 3 barrels crafted at the Independent Stave Company (ISC) in Lebanon, Kentucky. The “stillage”, the grain mixture left after distillation, is then sent back to local farmers to feed their livestock. The bourbon enters the barrels at 118 proof. The barrels are then transferred to their warehouse home in the Texas Hill Country for aging. Still Austin Whiskey Co. performs a very unique process during the aging of its bourbon. Referred to as “Élevage”, a small amount of water is added during each month of aging to gradually proof down the bourbon and accentuate its interaction with the wood. According to their website, “This meticulous technique brings forth the different flavor components derivable from oak, resulting in layer upon layer of depth and character, and “raising” the rye to its full potential.” Once aging is complete, the bourbon returns to the distillery where it is bottled and packed by hand.

The tour wrapped up with a tasting of all three Still Austin products, the bourbon, gin, and new make. Visitors can opt to tour the distillery, or just enjoy some of their tasty beverages. The distillery is closed on Mondays. For tour time availability visit

stillaustin.com. Reservations can be made online. The tasting bar inside the distillery has ample seating, or weather permitting, the patio also makes for a very pleasant atmosphere. The food truck, Pairings, is a permanent fixture on the patio. The sandwiches here are excellent and by itself, worth a visit to the distillery. So whether you’re a whiskey geek, a cocktail connoisseur, or a foodie fanatic, make it a point to visit Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Please note that Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.

Days of operation	Tasting Room / Cocktail Bar Hours Mon: Closed Tue-Thu: 12:00pm - 9:00pm Fri-Sat: 12:00pm - 10:00pm Sun: 12:00pm - 6:00pm Tours Mon: By Appt. Only Tues-Thurs: 5pm, 7pm Fri: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm Sat: 1pm-8pm, every hour Sunday: 1pm-5pm, every hour
Paved Drive / Lot	Parking in a paved lot in front of the distillery
Motorcycle Parking	No
Motorcycle unfriendly features	No
Number of tours per day	Variable depending on day: (Mon: 0) Tu-Th: 2 Fri: 5 Sat: 8 Sun: 5
Length of Tour(s)	~ 30 minutes (may be longer if you have lots of questions)
Advanced topic tours?	Distiller led tour (offered twice a month) [Although not a tour, a $40 cocktail class includes a short tour]
Advanced topic tour names	Exclusive Distillery Tour, led by a Distiller!
Tours by owners /distillers available?	Yes - “Exclusive Distillery Tour, led by a Distiller!” (offered twice a month)
Number of different types of tours	2
On-Line Tour Reservations Available	Yes
Advanced Reservations Recommended/Required	Definitely for Distiller led tours.
Cost for tour(s) in $	$15 ($40 for Distiller led tour)
Tasting Included?	Yes
Number of samples included in tasting	3
Tasting Only Option?	Yes, a Flight of Spirits is available at the cocktail bar for $10
Tasting Only Option Cost	$10
High-end tasting option?	No
High-end tasting option cost?	N/A
Designated Driver Option	No
Handicapped Accessible?	Most places
Souvenirs included with tour?	No
Gift shop	Yes
On-Site bottle sales?	Yes
On-site food: Restaurant/Cafe/Snacks	Food truck on site - “Pairings”
On-site Cocktail bar	Yes
On-site event space	Yes
Should I visit? (Yes, Perhaps, No)	Yes
Unique Features	Urban distillery using local ingredients to craft grain to glass spirits. Nice cocktail bar and patio area with on-site food truck.
Website	https://stillaustin.com/
Date Visited	January 2020