I dig pretty much everything about OSD from the old-timey truck to the outdoor picnic tables to the delicious cocktails to be had in the tasting room. The bartenders are always inviting and happy to answer any questions one may have. My favorite drinks have a honey liqueur base - number one is the Gringo and number two is the Honey Cap. The Gringo is a tasty spin on horchata and I would drink a glass or two or three happily. The Honey Cap is their honey liqueur muddled with lime juice and soda. I generally don't care for lime, but something about the liqueur is able to balance out the flavor, even though lime makes for two of the four ingredients. The critique I hear most often when Old Sugar comes up in conversation is that their hours are too limited. While I, too, would enjoy extended hours, I also understand that they're a tasting room in a working distillery and not a dedicated bar. Their drinks are meant to be sipped and savored anyway, so I'm more than happy to start my night there and then move on to other pursuits. read more

The owners and craftsmen (or craftspeople, if you prefer) of the Old Sugar Distillery, and the business within a business, Hidden Cave Cidery, are knowledgeable about what they do and it shows in the spirits and cider they produce. I'm not a straight from the bottle spirit taster, but their cocktails are very good. I especially liked the Harvest Old Fashioned. The cider is like no other cider I've ever tasted. I took home a growler of the hibiscus juniper cider which I was, frankly, hesitant to taste, but it was excellent. They also offer a good sized party/event space in a trendy industrial chic for rent at a fraction of the price of other rental spaces in Madison. This a great place to stop for tasting, a tour, a cocktail or cider (or both), or to host your next event. read more

Old Sugar Distillery not only has delicious cocktails, but their employees are awesome! This past weekend I celebrated a good friends going away party at OSD. Thanks to their kind management, they were able to reserve two back tasting tables for this gathering, which allowed us to all sit together and feel like we had a little bit more privacy. I would recommend checking this place out if you haven't already, and keep them in mind for future events when you're looking for a space to host. read more

Drinks are amazing and only about 6 bucks. I feel like that does not need much more elaboration and sums up why I love this place. Has a great vibe and always a decent sized crowd on the weekend. Make this place your first stop for a night out on the town since they close at 10pm. This is one of my favorite spots to bring friends visiting from out of town. I can't really name a drink that isn't good on the menu. Menu isn't extensive but it really doesn't need to be since the quality of the drinks is what makes this place special. read more

It seems like I end up here on cold froth winter nights and in the summer after. A show to the Breese Stephen field. A lot of my favorite nights I've ended or begun here. I l read more

Old Sugar Distillery - Busy Friday. - Distilleries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great spot "off the beaten path" in the Willie St neighborhood. This distillery serves up their spoils via inventive cocktails, converting the distilling area into a cozy bar surrounded by whiskey barrels and fermenting vats. Only open Thursday-Saturday until 10pm. Get there early to snag an outside patio spot. The Honey Cap was my fav, honey liquor with lime, honey, and club soda. Super refreshing on a warm summer night. The Dark and Storm goes down smooth and the bartenders mix up a great Whiskey Sour. All drinks are priced between $5-$7 and you can buy their 750 ml bottles to-go at the bar (before 9pm) for $30 or try a sample of a few of their 375 ml bottles. They serve up a cheese/charcuterie plate from Underground Food Collective, their only food option. Wonder if you can bring in food from outside? Can't see why not. read more

I'd come here a million times over to drink the Honey-Cap. Staff said they won an award for this drink and I'm not at all surprised. Lime & honey & house-made honey liqueur & crushed ice & deliciousness. I'm not usually one to suck down a cocktail too fast but this one...SO good it was gone in a flash. Cozy and dark and cool and casual - I cannot wait to return. So many more drinks to try! (They have Ouzo!) read more

This is a little gem on east Madison. Thanks to Yelp's Boozing and Schmoozing event, I got to learn about Old Sugar Distillery on my first trip here. It's awesome to know that they source locally as much as possible and do the brewing and distillation themselves. Their drinks are awesome! I had the honey cap -- made with their very own honey liquer. As mentioned on their menu, this drink is so delicious, it goes down very easily and you won't feel that you are having an alcoholic drink until moments later, which is not a bad thing =) Snacks wise, they serve Banzo pita and hummus, which complement your drinks nicely. Even though I came as a group in an organized event, you don't have to do that in order to get a 'tour' of the place. The people there are very nice and friendly and more than happy to explain you how things work and show you around. The outdoor patio is a plus. Sipping drinks out in the sun and enjoying the weather outside. Love my first experience and I will be back when I am in the Eastside again. read more

OK I am totally dumb. Read on. I came here with friends having done NO research whatsoever which is totally unlike me. But they are trusted friends and a place like this is why I trust them. So I had to figure out on my own, after several tasty cocktails, that this is not a bar. It was clear that it was a distillery - but I figured it was also a bar. As the spirits flowed into me I realized they were only serving their own spirits. Then I wondered why last call was 10 pm. But no worries - I figured it all out. The drinks were very tasty even though Vodka is normally my spirit of choice. My only complaint was that there were not enough chairs for the amount of table space. My other complaints were not warranted once I found out it's not actually a bar. I would encourage you to go check it out - it's worth your time. read more

If you are a craft beer geek and enjoy visiting breweries, then this is a logical next step for you. If you enjoy liquor, craftsmanship, and small business, this is up your alley. Wife and I enjoyed a couple of cocktails on a recent trip to visit our daughters. The passion from the owner and the gentleman working the bar was impressive. I enjoyed an old-fashioned and my wife had a drink similar to a margarita. Picked up a couple of bottles for the road. Unique, fun experience...a must for any visitor to Madision. read more

Awesome drinks. The horchata is my favorite, definitely recommend giving it a try! The staff is really helpful and eager to recommend drinks based on your preferences. The website says you can come for a tour, but that's really just a staff member pointing to various parts of the room and explaining the distillery process. Still nice that they're willing to do this! Fun ambience of being in a distillery. I definitely recommend cozying up here on a winter Saturday afternoon before enjoying dinner somewhere yummy on the east side. To be honest, I got a little bored here after 2 drinks, but they were a delicious 2 drinks! A pity they're not open later as it'd be a fun nighttime spot. read more

I am torn over Old Sugar. I have been there many times and brought many people there. Unfortunately, I feel like every experience never lives up to my first experience there. It is likely the failure of memory, so here is my breakdown. Atmosphere - Awesome. It feels like you snuck into the middle of a distillery and someone is serving you drinks there. One night a guy that sounded like Tom Waits was singing and I thought I had died and gone to heaven (Tom Wait's version of heaven, of course). Drinks - Strong. The one thing that bums me out about Old Sugar is that I feel they could do so much more. I mean, they make their own liquor, so you would think they have some fancy cocktails. They aren't terribly fancy, or fantastically executed. And they only have 1-2 rotating cocktails, otherwise it is the same ol' thang. Price - Affordable. Usually $6-$7 a cocktail As others have noted, it closes early (10 pm) so you should get there early. It is a good standard place with some classy novelty. read more

Honey Cap or Gringo? Yes, both please! Add a plate of charcuterie to a couple of cocktails and that's a great way to start your evening. It's a very relaxed atmosphere for hanging out with friends and/or family. They have limited tasting room hours, so watch for that. If you didn't get enough tasting in while you are there, get a bottle to go! I love to stop in to pick up gifts for others and treat myself to a cocktail too! read more

Old Sugar Distillery - You need to try a sampling of their liquors - Distilleries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My first impression was that the Old Sugar Distillery is urban industrial chic to the extreme. But after a moment or two I realized that it's not an act - this is a working distillery first and a bar second. And its a good thing that they are better at being a distillery than a bar! The drink menu features (as it should) cocktails made with their own distilled spirits. The current selections include a honey liqueur, rum, ouzu, sorghum whiskey, brandy and grappa. When I arrived at about 7:30 on a Thursday evening the place was at about half capacity with three people working the bar. It took about 5 minutes for one of the bartenders to notice me and finally ask me what I'd like. I ordered the Queen Jennie sorghum whiskey, neat. The nose was strong with a hint of vanilla. It's aged for 8 months in charred oak barrels that are only 5 gallons - helping to shorten the aging process by increasing the amount of wood per gallon of whiskey. Upon sipping there is a toastiness that comes through from the barrel, along with an almost maple syrup flavor. Not having the chance to speak to anyone knowledgable about the whiskey, I don't know if this is characteristic of sorghum or if there is somehting added to the whiskey to give it that flavor. It was nice, smoother than a traditional bourbon and almost like sipping a manhattan type cocktail. All in all, Old Sugar is an interesting place to try out or visit occasionally, The industrial atmosphere and limited offerings would preclude me visiting on a regular basis, but I would happily go back with cocktail minded friends to try some of the other offerings. read more

I absolutely love the ambiance here! The cocktails are delicious and I will always also order the snack board from Underground. The barrels, equipment and knowledgeable staff all add up to a really warm, old industrial vibe. The Honey-Cap is my favorite drink. The honey liqueur mixed with the lime pulp is heavenly! In my perfect world, Old Sugar would be open 5 days a week! read more

LOVE the Old Sugar Distillery for drinks. I love the horchata, or really anything with their honey liqueur. You can also buy bottles of their liqueur, which goes great with anything at home. I feel like it's sort of an underground spot, because most of my friends haven't heard of it, but I have one friend who swears by it. Unfortunately, they close at 10pm (which he says is the best part......how??), so you can't really plan to spend the night here. Though, it is close to some other cool/less-crowded bars, like the Brass Ring. I don't love how dark it is here, even though it's just one block off Washington... sometimes I walk fast from my car if I'm coming alone. read more

Old sugar is always fantastic. My friend had a birthday party here. Very easy to reserve one of the large picnic tables and we were able to bring in outside food for the party. In terms of cocktails I asked many of the partygoers their favorite drinks and the "honey cap" was a clear favorite. They also have non alcoholic options which is always nice. Old sugar does not disappoint. Fun atmosphere on an otherwise industrial street on the near east side. read more

One of my friends raved about this place for months, and I finally took the time to come here a few days ago. Though the open hours are few,and the location is a tad obscure, it adds to the charm. A distillery first, the atmosphere inside is great. Large barrels and distillery equipment surround you, lit by sort-of romantic lighting. This would be a great place to take a date or show an out-of-towner who you want to catch up with. The cocktails are so cheap, especially given the quality of the fare. I have had a few of their cocktails, and I would recommend the Gringo (I love horchata). Their homemade liquor is delicious. I would not recommend coming here with a large group, as the seating is pretty sparse, but small groups are perfect. Bottom-line: great bar to start the night at (closes at 10 pm) or take a date read more

Darn! I keep forgetting to check in when I get here! :) The Gringo is absolutely fantastic. So is the Dark n' Stormy, although it can be a little strong for me. If you ask to sample the liquors on their own, you'll find they're pretty flavorful, and the mixed drinks compliment the inherent flavors perfectly. read more

The problem I have found with distilleries is they do not really age their liquor so it always seems to have some bite to it that good aged liquors lack. Such is the case here, I had the whiskey sour and while it wasn't bad, it want great. In fact I don't think it should be called a whiskey sour; 2oz whiskey, 1oz lemon juice, 1/2 tap sugar. They use lime juice, and while it isn't the worst substitute it isn't a real whiskey sour. The whiskey had a lot of bite, like what comes from cheap whiskey. This place does well because distilleries are trendy right now and it is located in an area with people who consider themselves trendy as well. read more

Tucked away in a more industrial part of the city, there lies a place where great drinks are made and the sound of the main ingredient in those drinks distills in the background. And it is here that you can get a pretty good cocktail for a damn good price as well. And! and! most liquors are available to sample (generously sample) before you choose. Of those offered, the whiskey is definitely top notch. There's very little hint of burn at the end. You could even swish it around and gargle with it. Yep, I said it. Now do it. The rest aren't bad either. Especially the ouzo, which is normally the grossest liquor anyone ever invented, but not here. Also, unlike some so-called "distilleries," they actually distill their own alcohol - quality alcohol. read more

If I wasn't with someone who knew where this was I never would have just stumbled across it. The interior is very cool and the still is sitting right near the bar. The staff was all very friendly and helpful. We opted for the tasting flight and were amazed by the amount of liquor and the variety you get to try. We both had one cocktail as well. The tasting flight is very cool and you get a small glass to keep. I would highly suggest this place to anyone looking for a unique experience with distilled spirits. read more

Old Sugar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Old Sugar Distillery. It was my first time and I was not sure what to expect. I was there for an event and I would like to go back when I can try a few more drinks. I ordered a brandy old fashion and I was not disappointed. The drink was generous in size and it tasted just like it should. The bartenders were pleasant and fast. The decor is interesting and I was glad to find regular chairs in the back because the high stools are very uncomfortable if you have short legs. I plan to return for another visit soon! read more

Great place to sit outside on the benches and relax with a couple of friends. It's a great place if you want to enjoy a nice day outside, but you don't want the hustle and bustle of downtown life. Feeling like a little parrot from the previous reviews, my favorite is also the honey-cap, although I have made it a point to try the other drinks as well. read more

I came here intentionally....by accident....stumbling lost to my planned destination... wtf?!?!?! okay...I was in the area for an art show and had always intended to check this place out. However, I did not realize it was right 'there'...in the depot district...so, a very unexpected and pleasant surprise.... The place was pretty busy - right before the holidays. The owner still made time for me to review their various offerings, gave samples, talked shop...VERY friendly. I ended up walking out with some GREAT gifts that were very well received a few weeks later. With requests for MORE! (from folks that live nowhere near Madison). I've been back a few times and it is always such a lovely quaint visit. The setting couldn't be any better. hint: if you go near the holidaze...they have some fabulous gift packages! read more

This was my first ever distillery visit and I LIKED IT!! I randomly found this place while searching for things to do in Madison we weren't really sure what we were getting into. First off, the two guys working were so nice and so helpful. One guy gave us a "tour" without us ever actually having to leave our seats since the distillery only seemed to consist of one large room with the bar in the middle. Next, we all received a free tasting. Maybe you could have had more than one but one was enough for me. This stuff is strong!! I sampled the honey liqueur which I couldn't even finish. The boys I was with finished theirs though and I believe one tried the rum and the other tried the whiskey. We then went on to order cocktails made from these liquors which was a much more pleasant experience for me. I ordered the caipirinha. It was quite tasty! I also tried my friend's "Root Beer" drink which I did not like but this was mainly because of my dislike for ouzo and anything else that carries the taste of licorice. This was the first stop on a bike tour through Madison (that we made up) so we didn't stay long enough for a second drink but I'm glad that we stopped in and I'm sure I'll be back again! read more

Cool distillery/bar east of Madison. Didn't really see a lot of the distillery but mainly there is a drinking room. They have a menu of different cocktails. Was there on a Saturday around 6 and it was fairly busy. Pricing is pretty good - generally $6 per mixed drink. Try the Honey-Cap! read more

This place is RIDICULOUSLY cool. So cool it made me feel even cooler when I went in there. The Old Sugar Distillery has fantastic cocktails -- my favorite was the Honey-Cap (Similar to a Caipirinha, but different enough to be even MORE cool). I wouldn't have known this place was here if a friend hadn't suggested we go... even when she first suggested I was thoroughly confused. It even looks like it's in an abandoned warehouse. The hours are a little funky, but the atmosphere is awesome and that more than makes up for it. As I said before... toooo cooool! A little pricey, but for a night where you forget you're in Madison and think you're in some swanky old town hideaway it's well worth it! read more

This is, hands down, my favorite spot for drinks. Their mainstay offerings are pretty solid: my favorites are the whiskey ginger and the gringo. Then they come up with seasonal libations that are very creative and satisfyingly good--like their summer watermelon jalapeno drink!! They don't serve food but there are a few options to snack on. read more

Want a real whiskey sour? Then this is the place! Anything you order will be good, make sure you also try the Gringo and the Dark and Stormy, both will change your life! Oh and the new Ice Cream cocktails will knock you on your butt! Order the Meat and Cheese plate, it's well worth it to have a little something to snack on and the cured chorizo is incredible. Be kind to the waiters and waitresses, try everything, and learn why this is my number one must visit every time I come to Madison from the Twin Cities! read more

Love this spot. The bar is only open a couple days a week. Pretty chill atmosphere inside. Favorite drinks are the Gringo (a horchata based drink) and the shaken Honey Ginger Daiquiri. They make their cocktails from their own spirits and alcoholic drinks are between $5-7. Really nice place to have a drink for two or a small group. They have a few bar snacks available as well. read more

This place is unique and amazing! A true tasting room. A place to come with friends, or a date. The drinks are concocted with perfection. I recommend the Honey-Cap and the Brandy Old Fashioned. All the liquids are made here at the distillery. We also had a meet and cheese board with local meats.. Prices are good! This is a definite must!! read more

Old Sugar Distillery - The still - Distilleries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The Drinks here are great. I love the raw greatness this place offers. read more

Old Sugar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I love this place. Great cocktails every time. The tasting room has a warehouse feel to it, and on weekends it can get pretty packed. They do close on the early side though (10pm?), so keep that in mind. My favorite cocktail there is the Gringo, which tastes like boozy horchata. They also have great rotating seasonal cocktails. Fun fact, you can reserve their warehouse space for private events, and it's fairly inexpensive (~$100) read more

In my current knocked up state, it was hard to visit an alcohol making facility of any kind, but luckily liquor is low on my alcohols I like to drink list. My partner though? He loves him some whiskey, so off we went. We sat at the bar and ordered a flight for him (and later a whiskey sour) and a couple of non-alcoholic drinks for me (the non-alcoholic Honey Cap and the Horchata) I must say, even though I wasn't able to drink any of the liquor, I was able to smell them like a creep and approve of one or two just based on scent alone. My man thought a few were pretty good based on both smell AND taste too, which is obviously a better measure. I'm pretty sure he was impressed by the whiskey, which is hard to do, and he also liked the honey liqueur too. Sorry I can't give my unsolicited opinion on these...I'll get on it in May when I'm womb-passenger free. In alcohol free news though, the mixed drinks they serve here are legit. Both with or without the booze. They use fresh local ingredients in everything and take their time to make sure they are perfectly mixed. Read the menu and watch them work for a couple of minutes and you'll see. If you're knocking them down, you might not approve though, as it takes time for perfection and fresh stuff costs a lot. Point is, drink slow and have patience. It'll be worth it in the end. Or pre/post drink. Either way. Next time I'm in Madison, I'll definitely be stopping in. Especially to try the drinks WITH alcohol this time around. read more

Our welcome gathering venue fell through last minute for our wedding last July and Old Sugar saved the day! The new tasting room ended up being the perfect location to see all of our family and friends before the big day. Old Sugar is one of our favorite neighborhood places to grab a yummy cocktail so it was the perfect fit. The staff was incredible, friendly and accommodating and our guests raved about the delicious drinks! I would highly recommend reserving this location for any gathering! read more

I had very strange experience at Old Sugar Distillery. I think everyone would agree that a good product can take you far...but quality service is what gets you all the way. My chai hot toddy was delicious...the pumpkin martini really wasn't but I think others might enjoy it, I'm just a wuss and found it too strong. I went to the bar and ordered a flight, chai hot toddy, pumpkin martini and cheese/meat plate. I was told that the cheese/meat plate would take about 10 minutes and I said no worries and showed the bartender where I was sitting. My pumpkin martini and flight came right up while waiting at the bar....and then I waited about 10 minutes for the hot toddy before saying something. The bar tender apologized and then made it for me. No big deal, it happens....however.... After sitting down and having our drinks 30 minutes passed. My husband went over to the bar to say we hadn't received the food and came back to sit down....then the woman who said that I would have to wait 10 minutes for the meat and cheese plate came and just plain said she didn't think she could make it. Umm...ok. Then she sheepishly asked if I would mind just having cheese. (this is really annoying because they advertise on the menu that the sausage is made in the f-ing building...why couldn't just go get it next door?) I said "no, obviously not because I paid for the entire dish." She responded with "ohhh, you paid for it already? Do you mind coming to find me in 10 or 15 minutes, we're really busy." I was pretty annoyed at that point and said "no, I'm not going to go and find you so either bring the food or give me my money back." She brought the meat and cheese plate a few minutes later. WEIRD right??? I won't be back. read more

Wow, I finally made it over! I had a 20 dollar Groupon to use, and I had some honey liqueur neat. It was very tasty! There was a bit of over-staffing, including one woman who's job was to talk to her boyfriend all night- but, damn- that booze was delicious. Got a good buzz on, too. Heh. I will most definitely be returning to this place to try all of their other concoctions. read more

I've wanted to come here for a long time after reading some reviews, and was very impressed! The place is really cute, and the drinks were delicious and affordable. Only downside is the hours - it's only open a few days a week and closes at 10pm. It would be the perfect mid-week place, but it's not open. I'm definitely coming back! read more

Needed something to do later afternoon on a trip to Madison and found the Old Sugar distillery on a list of ten things to see while in Madison. Went with a friend and we both had their signature drink very tasty and reasonably priced. They had a very limited food menu, mostly a bar using their own spirits. Great atmosphere and awesome employees. FYI: First time customers get to sample there products. It made for a very good afternoon!! I would recommend this to anyone who needs something to do in Madison 21+ of course. read more