For once I'm posting a review the day after I finally made it to the place I'm reviewing, instead of weeks or months later... though funny enough, I was *there* because I had a Groupon that had technically expired like 9 months ago, back the *first* time we thought we were turning the corner on covid and life would be getting back to normal soon, then that absolutely didn't happen - so R6 was great and said they'd honor all their Groupons until the end of the year. Fast forward to the middle of December, now it's *really* expiring, so I was there last night for a tasting before it expired! I imagine it could get busy sometimes, since it's not that large - but when we were there, Saturday around 5, it wasn't busy at at, so it felt nice and intimate, and our bar service was great. (I'm definitely glad indoor seating is available and relatively safe again, cause their speakeasy setup is a great vibe, way better than drinking out in the parking lot or whatever, haha.) I can't comment on the food or the cocktails, since I was just there for the tasting (the beer and cocktails looked pretty good, but we had dinner plans this was on the way to, I wasn't going to keep my wife waiting for the Ethiopian food she was really out here for! That and they're pricey - the coolest-looking ones were like $18!) I also sadly can't comment on *all* their spirits, since a tasting only includes 3 spirits and they have a decent range at the tasting room! I was lucky enough to be tasting with my wife, though, so I can comment on 6 of them. I'll also mention the price of the groupon, if a deal happens to come back that includes a tasting, the included tasting is their three core (cheaper) bottles, or you can pick any 3 and possibly pay up to a few extra bucks depending how expensive the bottles you want to try were, which is pretty reasonable. (The same goes for the bottle, if you want to use a Groupon that includes a bottle for a different one than the included bourbon, though in this case, I took the bourbon - it's a great bourbon! I also didn't notice that you still have to pay tax on the included bottle, but I'm not going to complain, we still got two tastings and a bottle for less than the price of a bottle, haha. Though that Groupon isn't currently available - tastings are normally $18-23 depending on the priciness of the bottles, which is a bit pricey, but I also get that making small batch whiskeys and aging them a long time is expensive, especially in LA. Was nice having a Groupon though!) The specific spirits I tried included their base bourbon and a smoked version (the base version was great, the smoked version was even tastier, but I didn't think *enough* tastier to justify how expensive it was. The core bourbon was totally worth its $46.) Also tried their flavored whiskey, which absolutely tasted like liquid caramel corn, and is totally affordable. Their reposado gin was great, but in that price range, there are a few aged gins I've had I've liked more (it was still great though). On the other hand, their spiced rum absolutely does knock my previous favorite local craft spiced rum bottle down to second-favorite, theirs is so good! Too bad I already had a bottle of spiced rum at home, and you only use spiced rum so often! Finally, I had to try their very pricey absinthe, which, you know good absinthe is going to be pricey. It's quite good absinthe, haha. I did also love that they served the tasting with droppers of water, in case you wanted to add water to your whiskey. I don't like adding water to whiskey usually, but I do like adding a few drops to absinthe, so that worked out! Plus it just looks super classy. I look forward to when they open a second location much closer to us, because I *do* have to try all their spirits. (It sounds like one is coming relatively soon.) read more

R6 Distillery - two spirit tasting flights from a groupon from last year - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

Amazing spirits still being sold by the bottle. I heard they may be starting to serve cocktails again in the near future. Really hoping that's true. An amazing staple of the Gundo. read more

R6 - formerly known as Rob Rueben's Distillery, is a Hidden Gem. Most of their distilled spirits are great. Carmela is my favorite. I don't fully understand the rules of distilleries and why they are only allowed to serve you two servings while breweries are not restricted. The original brewery at this location was decent, nothing to write home about. The spirits are the reason I keep coming back. Every time I come back, I bring someone new, and they love this place. The food is pretty good but overpriced for what it is. The events they used to have are incredibly fun; if you get a chance to go and get you, you are in for a treat. read more

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Man COVID has turned the world upside down. I meant to write about this place way back when, but never got a chance, so here I go. First things first, Rob, the owner is an awesome, down-to-earth guy. He really knows his craft and is humble enough to know that he doesn't know everything. When talking to him, you can really tell he enjoys the art of distilling and that he puts a lot of TLC in all of the products he makes. He has a nice little speakeasy to the left when you go in that is really cozy and nicely set-up, pre-covid he would have live music and comedians come and perform. To the right is the actual distillery with barrels and barrels going every which way. Further, he has a little bit of everything from vodka to gin to whiskey. Each one with its own distinctive flavor and taste. For those who love the slightly sweeter type of Whiskey, the Carmela, is hands down one of the best type of whiskey I have had. It has a nice sweet caramel flavor to it that's subtle enough that you know it's there. Additionally, for those who love Mules, he has canned Mules that you can purchase and take home. They come in a nice four pack. Pricing for everything is definitely reasonable. It's a great place to visit. If you aren't a drinker, that's fine, they also sell hand sanitizer. Come by and check them out. read more

R6 Distillery - Front of the building. - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

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Went for a birthday celebration. The space is cozy and dimly lit. We got a sampling of various cocktails. I had the Smoky Hollow and bacon old-fashioned. They were pretty good. My boyfriend had the daiquiri and it was tasty. read more

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Wow !! I have been here before for their awesome Liquor and today I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are serving food now. We had a most amazing meal topped with amazing service by Mercedes and the topper was the service provided by the amazing chef Arron. Some of the faves : Bavarian pretzel ( get the cheese sauce) Short rib ragout Prosciutto panini Arugula salad read more

R6 Distillery - Smoked old fashion - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while. In addition to distilling their own spirits they also have a speak easy style bar where you can purchase drinks made from their vodka, gin, and whiskey. If you live in the area it's beneficially to become a member to take advantage of the special perks like having to opportunity to par take in bottling day. I came here for a martini class, which was lots of fun and very informative. The gal that taught the class was super sweet and provided us with lots of great tips. She demonstrated how to make a proper martini and taught us a few variations. Then we got to make our own and we were able to try some of each. I really enjoyed the class and would like to cone back to take a tour of the distillery. You can also purchase their spirits there as well. I was really impressed with their gin. It had a very unique flavor. read more

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The Tasting Room is to the left and up a ramp. It's a cozy, space with the ceiling adorned in a rich red tapestry. It's a fun place with friendly bartenders. The "Some Like it Hotter" cocktail with R6 Vodka, pineapple, cucumber, lime and spice caught our eye. It was an excellent choice for a warm evening as it was refreshing with a slightly spicy kick. This is not officially a bar, so visitors are allowed only one alcoholic drink unless it's a special event or if you are a member. No food on the menu but snacks are available for purchase. Street parking is scarce as always. Be prepared to walk. read more

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The R6 Distillery's Smokey Hollow has a cool vibe, from the red tapestry adorning the ceiling, down to its friendly and attentive staff. We drove up from San Diego earlier that afternoon for the weekend and happen to visit the same evening there was a private event so we weren't able to enjoy as long as we would have liked otherwise, but the drinks were strong and full of spirit. I particularly liked my Gold Rush, which had R6 Bourbon, lemon, and wildflower honey. My friend loved the West Coast Mule that was part of her Cocktail Flight that she had to buy a 4 pack to-go. Our group happily enjoyed it as our nightcap the next evening. read more

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Do you like whiskey? How about a speakeasy? If you do, then this exactly the place for you. Imagine a bar with comfortable leather armchairs, windows that keep the sunlight low, and lamps that look like Edison would approve. Add in fantastic liquor and people that know how it's made. Then set that bar immediately adjacent a distillery. I like it. read more

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Love coming here to have some drinks! We decided to stop here with one of our friends visiting from the Bay and he loved it too. They also serve a couple of beers from Hermosa Brewing and I actually enjoy the choices of beer here more than I do at Hermosa Brewing! My husband speaks very highly of the vodka they have and almost always orders one for his flight. This is definitely a great place to try if you are interested in trying some delicious spirits! read more

R6 Distillery - Spirit Flight - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

This distillery never disappoints! Both pre-pandemic and now, they are friendly, knowledgeable and their drinks are amazing, made with house liquor. If you can, try some of the R6 - our table's favorites were the bourbon and the rum, although personally I liked the gin as well. Had just the right amount of that herby, almost bitter, taste. There was a hot cocktail that was a pleasant surprise as well, capped off the cool night really nice, almost like a hot toddy. Our favorite spot previously was the bar, but their outside is comfortable and dog-friendly during COVID. Plenty of heaters. Food is really limited, they had a burger pop-up going, but you really aren't coming here for food! Can't wait until it's safe to be inside again, and until then we'll keep supporting. read more

Great quality! We received selection of bourbons as a splendid gift from our friend. That was a first time we tried this product. We tested and tested different ones and enjoyed it so much, but did not have even a hint of a headache next morning! Amazing! Well later we received another gift -a bottle with small sample bottles, from the same friend, and saving it for upcoming holidays when our family will come to visit. That's for sure is a very useful gift for holidays! read more

R6 Distillery - Second gift from a friend ! - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

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This place was pretty fun. My boyfriend and I randomly stumbled upon this distillery on a SunDATE. Both lovers of whiskey, we were pretty stoked to find this place. The interior design is pretty interesting lol. It's tacky in a way but somehow works. Anyway, we are both whiskey lovers, so were really sad to learn that per the CA legal limit, we were only allowed one cocktail each. I tried the Coffee and Cigarettes and he had the Smoked Old Fashioned. Both were pretty yummy :) I seriously wanted to try every cocktail on the menu. They host events here, too! And I live down the street so I think I will certainly be back to check one of those out and try out more of their drinks. read more

I was really excited to try out this distillery since I heard two people mention this place. However, after my experience I was a bit disappointed. Ambiance - cute and intimidate vibe, however it's TINY! Maybe 20 people fit inside. Hope you don't get too much food because that won't fit on your table. Food - I was hungry when I got there and couldn't wait to eat, but the food was meh. We ordered the burrata and braised beef ragout. The burrata was on a pool of pesto and somehow super salty. The the braised beef was more so like a soup. I was expecting it to be more meatier and a thicker sauce. I usually get a charcuterie board, but when I saw the other table's board I thought it looked mediocre. Drinks: I got a sacerac? I forgot the name, but also meh Overall won't return :( read more

Not sure why they don't update their information... Seems to be closed. Tried to visit this location three times during business hours and they were closed and no sign indicating why. Website shows they are open however, they are not. Tried to reach out to them and never got a response as to why they are not open. read more

This place was meant for us. We came here looking for live music and ended finding way more than that! Great food, beer and spirits! Their food service is also super fast! We didn't go inside because COVID but hopefully soon! We are definitely coming back and bringing friends. read more

R6 Distillery - Outside - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

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LOCATION IS CLOSED. Owner was wonderful, informative and let me purchase a bottle. Would love to come back once it's open.

In an unassuming brick building on El Segundo Blvd. sits the Smoky Hollow Tasting & Taproom. The Mrs. and I stopped in for a drinkipoo before dinner on Friday evening. We arrived around 6 p.m. and no one was around except the bartender who went by #019. My wife originally looked at this place because of the beer so we had every intention of having a brew, but then we learned that there was a distillery attached to the operation and that changed things. The distillery goes by the name of R6 Distillery. They make their own rum, gin, vodka, and whiskey. Since R6 distills their own bourbon, I passed on the beer as did my wife. I decided to try the Old Fashioned made from R6's Straight Bourbon Whiskey, because in my opinion, it shows the true essence of bourbon. Before I took a sip of my drink, I was given a sample of the bourbon neat. I have to say that this California made bourbon could rival a Kentucky Bourbon. It was smooth and had a very mellow finish to it. My wife ordered a gin martini made from R6's gin and loved it. Her martini was so smooth she could have had 4 more. Just so you know, Smoky Hollow has a tasting room license so you can only order on cocktail per person, but you can have all the beer you want. The tasting room itself is decorated in a way that resembles a speak easy. Lots of dark red and black leather. The room was beautiful and comfortable. read more

R6 Distillery - Old Fashioned - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

Bummer. They need to update their hours or change the description. The tasting room/bar has been closed for a year. They do sell bottles though. read more

Mellow vibe. Chill band played as we tasted whiskeys and beers. We got a bit tipsy after sampling everything and played connect four. The Coffee 'n' cigarettes cocktail is exactly as it's name suggest but in a good way. That early morning, foggy cig and expresso, reading the paper and listening to the birds kinda good. read more

R6 Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

My last minute charcuterie craving was satisfied. Yum..thank you. Hidden quiet place I went for Mothers day on a beautiful outdoor day. Had the boards, soft barvarian pretzel, flourless chocolate cake with red wine and was happy My hubby loves whisky and bourban so perfect place. Workers were attentive and friendly. And place was also suitable to bring our 5 year old. Will be back! read more

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We love this place. We came here with a gift certificate from our Christmas present and it was amazing Payton the bar tender was great. We went home with this beauty after enjoying our libations. We will definitely be back with friends. read more

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Here is a tip for the owner/manager. If you know you are going to have a birthday party being hosted at the place make sure you have 2 bartenders. I felt awful for the one person trying to serve everyone. He was awesome BTW, handled everything with patience and ease. There were a lot of folks who walked out because the wait was too long. We had a brilliant time great drinks, there was a band. Place as lit!! read more

Do yourself a favor and order the kolsch. No, the bartender is not making me write that. All in all, a nice, quaint location, not too crowded with great atmosphere. Everything you are drinking is made just a few feet away! Don't hesitate to try a bit of their spirits! Definitely a lot of love and imagination went into the crafting of those spirits. read more

For the Covid dining/ drinking experience, this was a slight return to normal, outdoor seating, cleaned and sanitized seating, face shields and masks, your standard. I thought it was fine. I'm not a drinker but a colleague was working here part time and the more she talked about it, the more I wanted to go try their cocktails and unique brews. Worth it! The beers were good and the cocktails even better (I'm not a big drinker). I had their sampler, it was a mixed berry sour beers and a pomegranate beer. Another colleague had the IPA. Best thing? They can bottle everything you liked on tap to go, or you can purchase their canned specialty cocktails. They also do cocktails go. I got hooked on the Mowscow mule after a taste, so I bought some to take home, since it was a special, it came pre-canned. So because of covid, you have to order food. We ordered the grilled chicken panini which was amazing, but I heard the brie and prosciutto panini is even better. So next time! Definitely returning. read more

I went to a 50th birthday party here over the weekend, and I had a great time. The party featured a lot of the hard alcohol which is crafted by R6, the party also had beer but it was not affiliated with R6. A highlight for me was the Mosco Mule on tap, it was delicious. I had SEVERAL of those! I'm told the owner, Rob, was easy to work with, although some of the prearranged conditions were not addressed. This party featured a great band, BUT, it was particularly cramped, which was not expected to be the case based on the prearrangements which did not occur. Truth be told, it was still a 'totally awesome' 80's party, although a little cozy on the dance floor. Most importantly, the staff was fantastic. If anyone is looking for a great party venue, you need to stop in and see the set-up here. The tasting room is a great area to have guests socialize, and the production area works out great for larger parties, especially if you plan to have a band. It goes without saying, the drinks were fantastic. read more

Let me start by saying I really want to come back and try a flight of their liquors. Then and only then will I truly be able to decide if I like this place or not. The three stars has more to do with the service we received. In short, I've never had a bartender this clueless before. He claimed that it was due to the recent remodel for his absentmindedness, but that's not acceptable if you ask me. The bar being moved to a different wall shouldn't completely ruin your ability to adapt to your workplace making drinks you've been making for who knows how long. As someone who's familiar with the albeit strange distilling laws of California, I asked to confirm with the bartender that we'd only be allowed 1.5 ounces of liquor, which he said was true. This is odd because he didn't inform myself or my party of this when we sat down, I had to initiate this and only did so because I was familiar with the laws. What if we weren't and he never mentioned this, and proceeded to cut us off without proper explanation? Not a great start. Then he turned away from us to make our drinks. Perhaps I'm being picky about this one, but part of sitting at the bar of a distillery is enjoying watching your craft (I use the word craft here very loosely) cocktails be prepared for you. He kept running back and forth for ingredients, hesitating, and was very clearly frazzled as he prepared our drinks and the other parties. I'm quite spoiled with a distillery I happen to live near, so I'll admit that I'm also biased when I say the cocktails here lacked a certain wow factor for me. But, to each his own. The ambiance was nice, comfortable with low lighting and had a speakeasy feel to it. Too many stools shoved into the bar though, my sister in law and I got a bit trapped and had to shove other stools out of the way when we left. I plan on giving this place a second chance, hopefully sooner rather than later. I just hope whoever the bartender is in the future, they at least know what they're doing. Maybe by then they'll be more acclimated to their recently remodelled bar. read more

R6 Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

Really cool place hidden away in the gundo. Awesome speak easy vibe with good music and interesting performances. Great bartender with the beard. The beers are great especially the strawberry flavored beer. I haven't yet had a chance to try the bacon old fashioned. Parking is tough but otherwise everything is great. read more

To find a place w a brewery and distillery as most places nationwide can only choose one. My friend loves the beer, I had the white whiskey. Was very young as expected with a huge blast of corn at the end. They also distill rum and vodka, with their first bourbon out in August. Can't wait to return. No food other than snacks, and a very small spot. But I can't wait to take the tour. read more

R6 Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

Great local distillery! Award winning, and great variety. I will definitely purchase again.

We went to RR for a distillery tour and we weren't disappointed. Before the tour, we had a drink in the speakeasy area, which was dark, moody, full of appropriately speakeasy-ish furnishing. Very cool. We tried the Rob Rubens beer while there - the Frank Morelli IPA (named, presumably, for the Rhode Island crime boss, Frank "Butsey" Morelli) and it was really good. Good balance, refreshing, not insanely hoppy. The distillery tour was really good too. The staff is friendly and funny, and put on a good show while they let us taste a lot of different spirits. My only negative note is that I'm a gin lover, and the gin was well...rough. I wasn't a fan. Still, I'd go back for plenty of other reasons. I hope these guys do well and stick around for a good long while! read more

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Yum yum yum. This is incredible. My friend Jon said, no way sir there is no way this is good. I proved him wrong. He is hooked. He just bought a case. Because yes, the rye mash is particularly incredible. Stellar. Have you been to space? Jon has now. 12 times. Once for each bottle in that case. Yum. There is a lot we can talk about here. The rye. The mash. Jon. But one thing is for certain.... This is the bourbon for you and Jon. read more

This is the most atmospheric, unique taproom I've ever been to. Much different than the typical warehouse type brewery, this is a 20s speakeasy type place, with furniture and a wooden bar to match. The beer is flavorful and distinctive - the Strawberry Wheat Ale was subtly fruity and delicious. They also have their own gin and vodka, and will even make cocktails using them. Service is friendly and overall, it's a very cool joint and sort of feels like a hidden secret. read more

R6 Distillery - Nice couches! - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

At arrival, it was quite interesting that you enter through the distillery, then the bar is (kind of closed/hidden) in the the back. The environment is entertaining--it's calm yet exciting. You (customers) will end making new friends; such an inviting atmosphere. The drinks are delicious & savory. This place even had a fridge where you can buy & take home their amazing limited beverages. To top it off, spectacular customer service every time I come! read more

R6 Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

This place is a hidden gem! All kinds of fabulous distilled spirits! Great service and explanation from the bartenders. There's also some great beer to wash down the heavy alcohol if you're not into that. Hand crafted cocktails are also a must. The atmosphere is a throwback to some old time bordello days. Can't wait to come back. Meredith was amazing! So knowledgeable :) read more

R6 Distillery - Booze - Distilleries Near Me - El Segundo, California

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This small place is fantastic and totally unique. You walk in and get to see all their wooden barrels and the behind-the-scenes of their beer-making equipment. Go a little further and you'll find their cozy lounge that hosts their beer and distillery tap room. Place has a vintage prohibition era vibe that you'll be sure to enjoy. I had to pleasure to try each of their beers on tap and they are all fantastic, all with their own special characteristics. Have to give a shout out to their COLD BREW Ale and PEANUT BUTTER stout. If you're looking to hang out at an extremely nice little craft brew and home made spirits spot, whether bringing your girl/guy or just hang with your buds, this is the place. Enjoy. read more

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A cool little place brewing up quality beers and whiskey. I live nearby and walked over two weeks ago Friday evening to see what was it was all about. I am a wine drinker and don't care much for dark beers or mixed drinks, but I tried a whiskey sour. After about four minutes of mixing and slapping ingredients, my drink was ready. Carefully made for sure. Not my favorite drink, but for those that like that stuff, I suspect you will love this place. The vibe is carefully thought out and I'm sure I'm not the only reviewer who will say that if you squint your eyes, you might actually believe that the year is 1920-something. If they add some wine to their menu I might quickly become a regular. read more

We came here for a drink after dinner and Chris was great! It's a great spot to check out! They only 1.5oz of liquor but you can do additional beers. read more

This little Taproom in the back is packed full of Speakeasy Charm and can you believe they make their own Gin? It's delicious and smooth! What knocked a star was the bartender. Younger lady, not happy, didn't even seem to want to be there. Us, we were just a little old high school reunion that I was attending. Nothing threatening. Wasn't like a typical Saturday night at the bar and club scene... so why did she look so pissy? I said "Hi" and got a scowl. I asked if they had Hendrick's and got a snobby, "No. We make our own gin." Thank goodness my drink, Gin Maid, was amazing! I felt like I was being rewarded after experiencing her. This speakeasy ranks in my Top 7 in Los Angeles and other major cities (Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, and San Diego, Portland) so it's worth checking out. The fact that they make their own spirits make this speakeasy worthy. Hopefully you are met with a friendly face but don't let that stop you! You are in control of your happiness especially once you get a few of these yummy concoctions down the hatchet! read more