Ogden’s Own Distillery gives homage to the somewhat scandalous history of its namesake town. One-hundred years ago bootleg booze, prostitutes, and opium well defined the town. Their Five Wives Vodka comes in different flavors including “Sinful” (cinnamon) and “Heavenly” (vanilla custard) while their whiskey flavors will remind you of backdoor moonshine.

Sugar House is actually the first privately owned liquor store in Salt Lake City dating all the way back to Prohibition. However, it wasn’t until nearly 100 years later (in 2013) when current owner, James Fowler, decided to make another significant impact on the local scene: starting the Sugar House Distillery. Selections are simple, as they are with most young distilleries, but that hasn’t hindered their success in receiving numerous awards such as Best Bourbon in 2016, and a Bronze Medal for their rum in 2016.

A group of friends started Dented Brick a few years back with one goal in mind: drink the finest spirits Utah can produce. In an effort to quench their alcoholic thirst they created a great brand with some delicious spirits. Try their gin which is described: “Carl Ethan Akeley (1864-1916) noted Wildlife Conservationist, African Explorer, and inspiration for the world’s finest and healthiest gin.” It’s a unique tea gin which should get the hipsters stoked.

Boasting the only potato vodka in Utah, Hammer Spring enjoys its niche in the market. While the gin and aforementioned vodka are stellar choices, we strongly recommend that you get yourself a taste of the unique Perky Cowgirl which is a coffee liqueur begging to be sipped as an aperitif.

Gin is in these days and Beehive Distilling is the distillery that is passionately producing the tasty beverage. They only have three products, so they can put all their focus into perfecting their craft: Jack Rabbit Gin; Barrel Reserve Gin; and Organic Vodka (the base for the gin, of course). Keep an eye out for the Barrel Reserve Gin which they describe as “smokey, perfumed deliciousness.”

Distillery 36 specializes in producing cane rum from scratch and creative puns. Their accolade-rich Brigham Rum is the pride and joy of the distillery but they also amp it up with nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon to create their Spiced Brigham Rum. Drop in for a tour and you’re likely to meet at least one of the three founders.

If the distinctly different spirits of Waterpocket don’t grab your attention their clever and quirky charm is sure to entertain. Get lost in their eloquent descriptions while tasting fun and slightly abstract spirits. A few to try are the Cocoa and Rum Liqueur, Eau De Mélisse, and Oread which is an Old World all-botanical liqueur.

In a place like Eden, it’s not paradise without a solid distillery. The beautiful bottles of New World Distillery are just the surface level of these amazing spirits; it’s what’s inside that is most intriguing. Sure, there’s the quintessential entries of vodka and award-winning gin, but they also focus on “agave spirits” which basically means tequila! Utah-made tequila is a thing and you should be tasting it Tuesday – Saturday at New World Distillery.

To be an outlaw in Utah is to jaywalk or only give 9.5% to charity but this distillery for badasses still provides some dangerous liquors. The owner gives tours so drop by for a tour and a special tasting of their many spirits including the outlaw-ish moonshine. We’re also fans of the Coffee Rum for a post-dinner nightcap.

Founded by a former biochemist, High West Distillery leans into science to please the palate. It pays off, too, as they were named “Distiller of the Year” by Whisky Advocate in 2016. The focus here is on whiskey with several choices to sift through, or you can purchase a flight for a comparison tasting; try the crowd favorite Double Rye!, and the smoky and aptly named Campfire.