Spirit of the Mountains: Utah’s Surprising Distillery Boom
Utah might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of whiskey flights or craft gin cocktails, but maybe it should be.
Despite some of the strictest liquor laws in the country, Utah’s distillery scene has quietly transformed into a hub of creativity, resilience, and award-winning spirits. What started as a few passionate pioneers has become a thriving craft industry that blends Old West grit with mountain-town innovation.
High West: Where Heritage Meets High Elevation
Perhaps no brand has defined Utah’s distilling revival more than High West Distillery, founded in Park City in 2006. As the first legal distillery in Utah since Prohibition, High West had more than a few legal hurdles to navigate. What began with a small copper still and a ski-town saloon has grown into a nationally recognized whiskey brand with a loyal following.
Set against the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, High West’s blend of storytelling, craftsmanship, and distinctly Western flavors helped put Utah spirits on the map. Their Rendezvous Rye and Campfire blends have earned critical acclaim, and their rustic-meets-modern saloon has become a destination for locals and travelers alike.
High West Distillery and Mark Twain
Alpine Distilling: Elevating Gin to an Art Form
While High West made waves in whiskey, another Utah distillery is quietly redefining what gin can be.
Alpine Distilling, also based in Park City, has earned widespread recognition for its botanical-forward Alpine Gin. Crafted with lavender, blood orange, and other alpine botanicals, it has won multiple international awards, including Double Gold at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Alpine's spirits reflect both refinement and a sense of place, flavors that evoke mountain air and wild herbs, bottled with care.
At the helm is Sara Sergent, Alpine’s master distiller, whose award-winning work has broken barriers in the industry. As one of the first female distillers in the region to gain international acclaim, she has helped elevate not just the spirits, but the standards for excellence in craft distilling.
Pie & Gin
At the Alpine Gin Bar in Park City, guests can enjoy award-winning gin paired with a rotating selection of gourmet pies in a cozy, elevated tasting room.
A Slow Burn of Growth
So how did Utah become home to these standout distilleries?
The short answer: passion, patience, and a willingness to work within a unique and often complex regulatory landscape. Distillers in Utah must navigate state-run liquor stores, strict marketing limitations, and limited direct-to-consumer sales. Rather than holding them back, these constraints have inspired distillers to focus on quality, connection, and storytelling.
The result is a distilling community defined not just by the spirits it produces, but by the character it embodies…innovative, resilient, and deeply rooted in the culture of the Mountain West.
Whether you're a whiskey lover, a gin enthusiast, or just curious about how great ideas rise in unexpected places, Utah’s distilleries offer a taste of something truly original.
From the Wasatch, with Love.
High West Saloon in Park City, Utah
