Rum in the Gateway to Florida
North Florida is defined by rolling hills and lush greenery replacing the flat plains of central and southern Florida. The Florida Panhandle, with its long, skinny stretch of crystal-clear green waters on the Gulf of Mexico coastline shimmers with the sugar-white quartz sands of the Emerald Coast, a hidden gem for rum lovers, and the dramatic rock formations of the Big Bend.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic Coast has some historic charm and the natural beauty of the Halifax area. Unlike the tropical climate further south, North Florida enjoys a true sub-tropical experience. Winters bring mild temperatures with occasional dips below freezing, while summers are hot and humid but tempered by refreshing sea breezes.
Florida Panhandle
The Forgotten Coast of Florida has over 200 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Santa Rosa Sound, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Check out Pensacola Beach to Panama City Beach to see why people return here.
Timber Creek Distillery
Founded in 2014 on a 1,400-acre family farm, Timber Creek Distillery started as a grain-to-glass distillery. They only use the finest local ingredients and Florida Limestone spring water. Distilling on a traditional Scottish pot still and temperature-controlled fermentation due to the wide range of operating temperatures here in North Florida.
The rum is a traditional pot-distilled rum to retain the molasses flavour. They only use food-grade 1st syrup molasses to make the rum. Keeping the process simple they blend molasses with warm water to fully dissolve, add in a favorite ale yeast to ferment for approximately 2 weeks at a constant 78 degrees, then transfer the wash over to a pot for distillation. The range includes a clear rum, a spiced rum, an apple pie rum, a coffee rum, and a barrel-aged rum. All the rum is aged in ex-Timber Creek whiskey casks.
You can book a distillery tour and tasting on their site
Find out more on Timber Creek Distillery
30A Distilling Co
Based in Santa Rosa Beach 30A Distilling Cow was founded in 2020. Co-owners Brian and Scott grew up in families who’ve been visiting 30A beaches for generations.
They source a blend of 100% Caribbean fancy molasses and ferment it with Lallemand yeast. We then double distill it to a high proof, some of this rum goes into used bourbon barrels and the rest goes into the seasonal release of spiced rum.
Working with their sister distillery Sugarfield Spirits in Gonzales, Louisiana, to source the following types of rum: Agricole – From cane fields from the Baton Rouge, LA area, Aged Cane Juice Rum, and White Rum (A blend of cane sugar and molasses from the Lula-Westfield sugar mill).
The next small batch of 100% molasses rum will be released in used Bourbon barrels later this fall/early summer. Public and VIP Distillery Tours can be booked on their site Florida Bourbon, Florida Rum, Florida Vodka. Drop into the tasting room for craft cocktails and rum flights, open Wed-Sun.
Rollins Distillery
Rollins Distillery was founded by the father-and-son team of Paul and Patrick Rollins in 2011. They opened the first licensed distillery in the Florida Panhandle in the modern era.
Distilled from 100% Florida Cane Molasses, Rollins Distillery Crystal Rum is matured for two and a half years before bottling at 80 proof. Rollins Distillery Golden Rum is aged in oak to create the full-bodied and flavorful nature of the spirit. Their Rock ‘N’ Rum is a liqueur.
You can book a tour and visit their Gulf Breeze Distillery to see where they make all the Esprit de Krewe™ spirits. Rollins has a tasting room and tours on the Gulf Breeze open from noon to 5pm.
Find out more on Rollins Distillery
Jacksonville
In the northeastern corner of Florida and centre of Florida’s “First Coast” region, the city straddles the St. Johns River and stretches out to the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s closer to Georgia than Miami. The area is a flat plateau and shallow lakes.
Grey Matter Distillery
Jacksonville’s first craft distillery is family-owned, founded in 2014, and located in Atlantic Beach. Grey Matter is the brand behind Florida favorites including Carve Craft Vodka, Live Oak Whiskey, Mayport Moonshine, and the newest addition, Ribault Rum – all spirits are distilled and bottled on-site. Ribault Rum is named after Jean Ribault, a French naval officer, and Jacksonville Florida’s earliest pioneer.
Visit their Craft Cocktail Lounge to enjoy the local ambiance, sip their rum, listen to live music, or attend one of their monthly events – open Wed through Sun. Tours & Tastings are available by appointment only led by distillery co-founder, Paul Grey.
Four Fathers Distillery
Founded in 2013, Four Fathers Distillery in northwest Jacksonville was born out of the love of spirit making and the love of rum. Drawing on experience from co-founder Tim Daniels from his 24 years at Bacardi Rum. They make seasonal vodkas, brandy, and Black Copper Rum.
Black Copper Rum is made on a copper pot still and GLASS finished Still Florida Rum. Using a combination of fresh cane juice along with amber and blackstrap molasses to produce this signature rum. Straight from the cane field to the heart of distillation. Fermented using their proprietary yeast to produce the natural rum. Then it’s distilled on an all-glass 50-gallon 14ft tall still.
They have a tasting room, and shop where you can book a personal tour.
Find out more on Four Fathers Distillery
Reif Rum
Founded by three partners, David, Kelly, and Carol during Covid lockdown new to distilling, they wanted to present new flavours in rum made in Florida. Reif Rum is distilled in Jacksonville but was first developed in Brick, New Jersey. Taking a 2-year-old aged rum of Florida and USVI sugarcane, it’s infused with flavours and then matured again to create a sweet and smoky profile to sip or blend into their favourite drinks.
Sound of Spirits Distillery
This family-owned craft distillery has made a range of spirits including rum since 2021. They have a white rum and spiced rum which is made in the US Virgin Islands and bottled at their distillery in Jacksonville. You can book a visit and pick up a bottle at their gift shop.
Saint Augustine
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the mainland U.S. to be inhabited continuously since its establishment by European settlers. St. Augustine 450-years has a tradition of distilling. Stroll the historic streets, visit the beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, and taste the local rum.
Saint Augustine Distillery
St. Augustine Distillery, located in the nation’s oldest city, is renowned for its dedication to crafting high-quality spirits in the Sunshine State. Since its founding in 2014, the distillery has become a staple for locals and visitors alike, offering a spirited lineup of rum, bourbon, gin, and vodka, along with interactive tours and educational experiences for spirit enthusiasts. Their rum collection, made from Florida molasses, reflects the region’s rich history combined with innovative distilling techniques.
The flagship Pot Distilled Rum is a testament to the distillery’s craftsmanship and commitment to local terroir.. Made from Florida molasses and aged in charred oak barrels that previously held their Florida bourbon, this rum boasts a rich, complex flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and tropical fruits. The distillery also offers limited-edition rums inspired by local flavors and ingredients, such as their Port Finished Rum, aged in port wine barrels from the San Sebastian Winery, which adds a layer of sweetness and depth to the spirit.
Their latest release, Reserve Rum, is the first ultra-premium rum in their lineup. This blend of three distinct rums, finished in casks previously holding cognac and Madagascar vanilla beans, exemplifies the distilling team’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
St. Augustine Distillery aims to inspire and educate with its diverse spirit offerings and welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can tour the distillery to witness the production process firsthand and sample these exceptional rums, making it a must-visit destination for spirit enthusiasts.
Find out more on Saint Augustine Distillery
City Gate Spirits
City Gate Spirits Distillery opened in 2019, as a second business of Saint Augustine Distillery. City Gate Spirits offers locally produced flavoured spirits, crafted in the heart of history. The name is a nod to St. Augustine’s iconic city gate located just steps away from the distillery.
The gate once marked the entrance to the historic town, and City Gate Spirits is a popular spot for vacationers. Open 7 days a week for a free tasting of flavoured rum, vodka, whiskey, and moonshine inspired by the flavours of Florida
Find out more on City Gate Spirits
Madi Rum
Founded in 2016, Madi Rum makes a premium vanilla spice rum distilled in Jacksonville. They use gold standard vanilla from Madagascar and infuse it with Florida sugarcane rum. Madi Rum has exciting plans for the future here.
Places to Enjoy Rum in North Florida
Jacksonville: The Grape & Grain Exchange, Flask and Cannon, Boat Drinks, Vevetas Rum Bar + Tapas
Panhandle: Tiki Bar at the Sandpiper Beacon, Rum Runners, Al’s Beach Club, Sneaky Tiki Bar, and Manatee’s Tiki Bar.
Jacksonville and North Florida are the gateway to Florida itself and other states if you are on a road trip, so if you’re dropping south for the weekend for a vacation, this is the start of your epic Florida rum adventure, make sure to read our other guides:
Rum Guide to South Florida 2024
Rum Guide to Central Florida 2024
About 90 minutes drive from Jacksonville is ‘Rum Island’ Springs County Park, no rum but a natural spring located in Fort White.
For more general travel advice on Florida Tourism
For travel planning use our map
Thanks to all the brands for contributing to this article, and for permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.