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    Stark Spirits Craft Distillery

    4.8 (40 reviews)
    ModerateDistilleries
    Closed 2:00 pm - 7:30 PM

    Stark Spirits Craft Distillery Photos

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    a still - life still - life still life still life still life still life still life still life still life still
    Mark B.

    If you are interested what goes into distilled spirits, the Stark Spirits tour and tasting is very much worth your time. The building was a little hard to find in it's industrial park setting, but that may have been due to traffic rerouting for UCLA football confusing our GPS directions. Also, you can't just walk in, but reservations are easy to set up. The facility is smaller. Karen was our host and she provides a lot of detail on the process and equipment. We ran into another family who was justa finishing up their tour and they seemed very pleased. Greg was very friendly but busy due to events of the day. He did make a point to stop and toast the sunset with us! The tasting was user friendly and informal. I found that many of the versions I thought I wouldn't favor at the outset, were the ones I liked best. Their 151 rum was actually kinda tasty - perhaps too tasty. The spicier Dragon gin was a nice surprise, and we loved the Espresso Liqueur.

    Nikki B.

    I really enjoyed this tour! Owners Greg and Karen Stark are very sweet. The tour was very informative. I learned a lot about the distillery process, aging of different spirits, bottling, and heard about new products. At the end we enjoyed a tasting of each of their award winning spirits, which are distilled in small batches. Each one is numbered and hand signed. I love supporting local, small business. You can purchase their products on site and some are sold at Total Wine and Mission Wine and Spirits. I recommend this tour!

    The tasting 10 in total.
    Sarah Toni M.

    We had a tour yesterday evening at this location. Husband and wife are extremely Experienced and knowledgeable,it's their company.The process to making the whiskey ,rum and brandy is pretty awesome. The explanation and the tour are first and second and the tasting is third. I love the little set up and I'm happy to know that yesterday we help support local business. If you have time make an appointment, try it for yourself. We're were pleasantly surprised on all the wonderful tastings. Also this company sells their product at total wines and more in Pasadena.

    Copper still imported from Europe
    Rebecca D.

    What a great company and I thoroughly enjoyed today's FREE tour and FREE tasting. The owner Karen was very informative about all aspects of making their spirits. There was a total of six people in our tour in the small industrial space and we saw it all. We were invited to taste eight different items along with cold water and crackers to cleanse our palates and keep us sober. My favorite was Sunshine (orange brandy) and my husband liked the whiskey best. If you've never been to a distillery you should check it out.

    Rum

    Stark distills excellent rum and whiskey! It was a pleasure to meet Greg and Karen as well.

    Joe C.

    I really can't say enough positive things about stark distillery. Greg and Karen have carved out a small yet extremely robust slice of the world of spirits here in Pasadena. I met Karen initially at a Wikimedia Foundation fundraiser in Beverly Hills, which I later learned is just a part of their philanthropic support of local charities and venues that they believe enhance the community. I was immediately taken by surprise trying their California single malt. An American whisky that is more similar to scotch than it is to bourbon? I had to know more and immediately started asking questions which led to an invitation to check out the distillery itself. Their operation is small and unassuming, tucked away in the back of a concrete industrial park. Peering in the loading door, I immediately gained a new appreciation for the term micro-distillery. They have packed so much large equipment into their space that you would swear it has to be 3x the size it actually is. Efficiency is the name of the game and Greg is the king of it. Having worked for JPL for 20+ years, Greg's use of the scientific method becomes immediately obvious in how he runs the distillery as well as producing the spirits they make. I could spend an hour here talking about each one and how incredible they are, but suffice it to say they are ALL FANTASTIC. I'm a scotch drinker myself and I have to give them enormous props for their single malt and peated whisky. It is truly incredible what they've managed to achieve with them. Don't take my word for it though, just look up the long list of awards they've won. Do yourself a favor and give Karen and Greg a call if you're in the area. I can't recommend checking stark spirits out enough.

    Amber B.

    Karen and Greg truly offer an intimate distillery tour and tasting. Karen is an adventurous soul who offers knowledge and perspective, along with crackers and water, and a traditional touch unmatched by other distilleries. Oh man, the peated whiskey is big. You can smell the peat. It is so good. This place is for those who are truly interested in craft spirits. Highly recommend a tour and tasting.

    Melissa M.

    I was here recently for a recent Women Who Whiskey event. I was excited to learn about yet another distillery in the area since the ones I had been to so far were all outstanding. The tour was great from the standpoint of their explanation of the distillation process - though I found the delivery a bit long-winded (I've been to a lot of these so much of it is repetitive). The spirits themselves were great. Their American Whiskey is fantastic and their rums are amazing. Even folks who don't really like rum will probably enjoy these. Their gin was also very nice. The one I didn't care for was the aquavit (too much caraway without anything to balance it - just tasted like drinking rye bread). However, there was a very distinct point at which things all went wrong! As we were enjoying our tasting, the female member of the owner couple launched into a diatribe about how women lack a gene that allows us to process alcohol and so we should especially avoid super sugary drinks and be wary of men buying them for us at bars, etc. I was shocked of course, because if you believe that women can't process alcohol: 1) why are you in the business of creating and drinking it yourself? 2) why are you hosting a Women Who Whiskey event - shouldn't you be appalled that we would put ourselves in such danger? 3) how can you believe something so completely lacking in scientific basis when you just gave us a lengthy talk about the science of distillation? (My friend I brought with me is a geneticist and she and I just stared at each other in appalled disbelief from across the table.) 2 stars because the spirits are nice - otherwise it would only be the one to register my outrage. Needless to say, I will not be returning to the distillery or offering them my money going forward. Good booze but WT-actual-F?!

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    6 years ago

    these fine folks & the spirits they invoke truly are the bee's knees!! I couldn't recommend them more highly!!

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    7 years ago

    The most wonderful night of my life!!! Such a knowledgeable couple. I've never been to a Bourbon distillery !! AMAZING!

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    Ask the Community - Stark Spirits Craft Distillery

    Review Highlights - Stark Spirits Craft Distillery

    My favorite was the Skyline Gin, Espresso Liqueur (I can imagine Karen rolling her eyes ), and the Peated Whiskey.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

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    The Obscure Distillery - First drink on the wall.

    The Obscure Distillery

    4.5(205 reviews)
    9.8 miArts District, Downtown

    Obsessed with this place. It's giving spooky, moody, slightly witchy vibes,, in a willow-era Taylor…read moreSwift kind of way. Cocktails are strong and actually well done, but what makes it stand out is the experience. There's a learning component woven in, which makes it feel more intentional than your average bar. It's one of those spots you go to when you want something different... not just another loud bar.. something immersive and a little mysterious.

    I had such a great experience and definitely worth checking out! The overall vibe was amazing, and…read moreyou can tell they really care about the experience from start to finish. The drinks were strong (in the best way ) but still super smooth and enjoyable. Shoutout to Rich for being such an incredible host--he made our group feel welcomed, taken care of, and really elevated the whole experience. A couple things to note: there is parking available, but it is paid (you can either text to pay or use the kiosk machines). The experience itself lasts about 40-60 minutes, which felt like the perfect amount of time. The only downside for me was that the bathroom is shared for both genders. For safety reasons, I personally wish they were separate--so ladies, I'd recommend going with someone just to be safe. You just never know. They also give you a little treat afterwards, which was a really nice touch and a sweet way to end the visit! Overall, I'd definitely come back and recommend it to others

    Photos
    The Obscure Distillery - Divine Paradox

    Divine Paradox

    The Obscure Distillery - Upon entering

    Upon entering

    The Obscure Distillery - The scenic bar

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    The scenic bar

    Ventura Spirits Distillery - Street Sign

    Ventura Spirits Distillery

    5.0(97 reviews)
    65.5 mi
    $$

    Another great time sampling the best spirits in Ventura County made even better by enjoying them…read morewith a friend :) This distillery is tucked away just enough that you feel in the know once you're there. A true hidden gem for both locals and visitors, and the perfect place to spend an hour or two. I've done their full tour before and learned so much about how much local produce comes through their doors to become the incredible spirits they're known for. Such a cool experience if you haven't done it yet. This time around, my friend and I popped into the tasting room to explore their seasonal liqueurs. On our list: * PERSIMMON LIQUEUR * APRICOT UMESHU * AGAVE LIQUEUR * GRAPEFRUIT CORDIAL I'm here to confirm these were ALL amazing! truly run, don't walk, to try these seasonal specials! I was so smitten I left with bottles of the apricot and grapefruit, but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. Hans was our teacher, mentor, and mixologist with the mostest. He crafted custom cocktails for both of us that blew our minds but still felt doable enough to recreate at home thanks to his tips. I went with a sweet apricot Collins, and my friend had a strawberry-forward old fashioned. 10/10 for both...easily some of the best cocktails we've had in a minute. Ventura Spirits really is your one-stop shop: tours, tastings, cocktails, and shopping all under one roof. If you have friends or family visiting, this is the adult activity to show off Ventura's best flavors and local produce. Huge thank you to Hans and the entire VS team for another wonderful day, learning and drinking, my two favorite things.

    Love the passion and hospitality from Brad and his team. We tried the sampler priced at $12.00 plus…read morea few exclusive tasters not on the menu. Amazing chill vibe with handcrafted spirits! TOP FAVORITE = APRICOT UMESHU - Tecolotito - Prickly paloma pear Would absolutely be coming back again!

    Photos
    Ventura Spirits Distillery - Branding Iron

    Branding Iron

    Ventura Spirits Distillery - Still #1

    Still #1

    Ventura Spirits Distillery - Cocktails in the tasting room

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    Cocktails in the tasting room

    Evolve Distilling - Tequila Mockingbird.

    Evolve Distilling

    4.9(39 reviews)
    26.5 mi

    I love love LOVE Evolve Distilling! I think this is my favorite place to have drinks because it…read morechecks all the boxes for me: delicious craft drinks, nice but relaxed ambiance, and great service. This was formerly Citrus Grove before it was taken over by the current owners. I enjoyed Citrus Grove just as much, and I am happy that Evolve doesn't make me miss it. My favorite drinks are their take on the White Russian and their White Hokkaido. The White Russian is special because they add pistachio, and it's just fantastic! The White Hokkaido is the matcha version, so instead of the coffee liquor, they use matcha, and it's delightful! They often have live jazz, which makes the place fun, though often on jazz nights, they require advance reservations or ticket purchase. Other nights are more quiet and perfect for a relaxed outing. They don't have any food, but there are often food vendors at the brewery across the way, and you can bring your own. I also enjoy that I can bring my dog with me, since I often visit after drinks at the brewery or the ciderie next door (both of which are dog-friendly).

    Beverages: 5/5. Over the course of 4 hours, with copious amounts of water, I sampled the Tequila…read moreMockingbird, the Sparkling Hugo, and the Blackberry Whiskey Sour. All were solid, but I think I have to give it to the Hugo. Direct, refreshing, and the perfect cocktail for a warm sunny day. Service: Uncle Phil and the young male bartender Saturday night shift (sorry bro, forgot your name) are hella Dope. Met the owners too. All around good vibes. Ambiance: 5/5. Epic. Probably the only time in my life where I sat down at a bar and chatted with really cool peeps for hours. Say less. Looking forward to returning for the live Jazz.

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    Evolve Distilling
    Evolve Distilling
    Evolve Distilling

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    Stark Spirits Craft Distillery - distilleries - Updated May 2026

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