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    John Emerald Distillery

    4.8 (48 reviews)
    ModerateBreweries
    Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    a man sitting at a table in a barrel
    Timothy E.

    This is our fourth or fifth trip here. They make awesome Old Fashions and we really love me their bourbon. They have indoor and outdoor seating. You can order food via smartphone from a "ghost" kitchen which is nearby and will deliver. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing. The overhead music is at a good level and easy for conversations. I certainly recommend it if you like a laid back environment and whiskey/bourbon.

    Blackberry Summer
    Kayla H.

    As someone who rarely drinks spirits, I actually really enjoy coming here. The Blackberry Summer is one of my favorites to get! If you're a coffee fan, I recommend the salted caramel drink. It tastes like spiked iced coffee! Depending on the day of the week, there might be a line at the bar but the wait is worth it. The space has a laid back, rustic atmosphere with plenty of seating. They also offer tours of the distillery so you can see the behind the scenes process! Bartenders are super nice and seem really knowledgeable about their drinks.

    Alexis A.

    Stopped by on our way through Alabama to give our first rum distillery a try! Super cute and quaint little distillery. Unique little bar where the mixologist ( a literal drink mastermind!!) Crafted up 3 fun and SO DELICIOUS mixed cocktails. 1. Gin martini with mint and egg white foam ( Martinis are 25% off on Mondays!) 2. Whiskey Sour with house-made marinated cherries 3. Spiced Rum with a walnut and fall-like flavor profile Sorry i don't remember ANY of these cocktails names :( ABSOLUTELY LOVED TGESE COCKTAILS AMD WOULS DRIVE BACK FOR A FEW MORE WITH FRIENDS! Small and quiet town area with a brewery next door!

    Espresso martini and The electric lady
    Robert D.

    Lai is a great bartender. The drinks are great and atmosphere is really good. Just a few minutes from auburn and the freeway (don't drink and drive!)

    Shermika D.

    Fantastic place! We had the bourbon smash special which was great. They also have a rustic vibe.

    Tracine F.

    One of the best distilleries we have ever been to! All of their spirits were awesome but the best had to be the spiced rum for me. It was a slow night and the bartender had brought her adorable dog Luna in with her. It made my night!! Such a great experience and awesome spirits, highly recommend this place, we will be back soon for sure!

    Madalyn J.

    Looove coming here and trying different cocktails! The drinks are all so creative and delicious. Bartenders have always been knowledgeable and helpful in choosing the best drinks! Absolutely love coming here. We always leave with a bottle of whiskey because it is sooo good and soma affordable! Awesome space

    Outside sign
    Lisa H.

    After some beers at Red Clay Brewing next door, making a stop at John Emerald seemed like a very very wise idea. So our group headed over, curious to find what the distillery had in store for us. The beautiful wooden and brick space was hot, and I found myself growing glowy. It was probably a perfect storm of the unseasonably warm weather, lots of bodies in the smallish room, and air not being on. There was a lengthy wait at the bar for drinks. The sole bartender was hustling but it wasn't enough. Thankfully another bartender showed up eventually. Drinks are about $7-8. The pride and joy of John Emerald, John's Alabama Single Malt, isn't listed in any of the concoctions, but can be mixed into a cocktail upon request. It's the first legal whiskey to be made in the Heart of Dixie in 100 years, since Prohibition. Wow, that's pretty cool, even if I don't like whiskey. Unfortunately, some of us were not blown away by our cocktails. The Old Fashioned and Sidecar received low marks, while the Bloody Mary fared better, along with the Moscow Mule variations. My Dark Mojito made with Sarah's Silver Rum, simple syrup, mint, lime, and berries, was fine though heavy-handed with the lime juice. If you like drinking spirits up, try the tasting flight. The liquors come in tiny thimble-sized cups that led to a discussion about communion cups at our table. I saw a TV but it wasn't on. Some people were playing a giant Jenga. I think that was the only game available. All of the employees were very nice and friendly. Oh, and the sink in the bathroom is set into a barrel, neato! Check out the website if you want to sign up for a tour Thursdays through Saturdays; it's $5 for the tour only and $10 if you want a tour and a tasting. Also look for a list of distributors on the website. Looks like you can buy bottles of John Emerald at ABC stores in Alabama and a few shops in Georgia. Pro tip: keep an eye out for Mr. Beans, the friendly distillery cat!

    Gillian B.

    This place is awesome!! As soon as we walked in, the bartender/manager (Jill) had us sitting down with perfect drinks in front of us. My sister ordered a cocktail with bruised basil, and Jill picked a leaf off of a basil stem and bruised it right there! She's a mixologist. It was amazing. Extra bonus, my sister has Down Syndrome. People generally talk around her but Jill made a point of talking directly to her. 6/5 would absolutely recommend. Delicious alcohol, creative cocktails, and excellent service!

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    5 years ago

    The John's Alabama Single Malt was excellent as was the Double Oak Bourbon! Clean and friendly service.

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    Review Highlights - John Emerald Distillery

    As soon as we walked in, the bartender/manager (Jill) had us sitting down with perfect drinks in front of us.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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