Discus launches Destination Distillery tourism website

Trade body the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) has created a website, called Destination Distillery, to help spirits fans and tourists discover distillers across the country.

Destination Distillery can be found at destinationdistillery.com, and aims to provide a tourism-driven experience and educational journey into the cultural heritage and history of spirits in the US.

Visitors to the new website will be able to discover some of the country’s leading distilleries, up-and-coming producers, state-by-state trails, learn about the economic impact of the spirits industry by state, and important sites connected to the history of distilling and spirits nationwide.

Chris Swonger, Discus president and CEO, said: “Destination Distillery is poised to become the go-to resource for spirits fans to dive in and discover the story behind their favourite beverages while finding new places and spirits along the way.

“By showcasing distillers large and small, Destination Distillery will serve as a unifier for our industry. Together, we’ll continue to drive tourism to local regions and further the economic contributions that all distillers make to their communities.

“Each distillery has a unique offering and local flavour, and we cannot wait for you to discover the story behind what’s in your glass.”

Visitors will be able to locate distilleries based on the type of spirits they make, or their location. Different styles of spirits will be listed and users can click on the different categories to learn more about the category.

Furthermore, the ‘Stories’ section will feature information about historical milestones related to the spirits industry.

Philip McDaniel, CEO and co-founder of St Augustine Distillery and chair of the Discus Craft Advisory Council, said: “With well over 30 spirits trails across the United States, the growth in spirits tourism is helping to transform communities surrounding distilleries and boost state and local economies.

“This is the first tool of its kind to provide consumers with a comprehensive list to discover established distilleries and explore trails across the entire country – from the Pacific Northwest to the tip of Florida.”

Destination Distillery took inspiration from the American Whiskey Trail, which Discus founded in 2004 in partnership with Mount Vernon and George Washington’s historic distillery.

Since then, more than 2,000 small distilleries have been established in cities and towns across the US.

Last month, Discus and and the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission wrote to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to urge a new standard for American single malts.