Rum in The Lone Star State
Everything is bigger in Texas, quite literally! Texas is roughly the size of Poland with 4 major geographic regions: the Gulf Coastal Plains, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, and Basin and Range Province. These have a variety of climates and features, from fertile plains ideal for agriculture in the east to rugged mountains, deserts, and sprawling ranches in the west.
Historically significant, sugarcane cultivation once thrived in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a region known as the Sugar Bowl. This area, with its subtropical climate and water resources, provided optimal conditions for sugarcane growth. However, due to water scarcity and economic factors, sugarcane production in Texas declined significantly – despite this, rum-making flourishes here.
Texas is more of a rum destination than you might realise. With a rich music scene as the live music capital of the world, distilleries act as focal points for the community. Often hosting live music acts, local rum cocktails, and delicious barbecue in a vibrant foodie scene. With big distances between rum distilleries, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. So, we begin in the north and end in the south.
The Great Plains
This flat region stretches from the Rockies to the Mississippi River. Rolling grasslands and low rainfall, it’s known for agriculture, cattle farming, and cowboy culture. Cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Amarillo are the major urban centres.
Acre Distilling Co.
Acre Distilling opened in December 2015, in the neighbourhood that was Fort Worth’s den of sin and vice in the Old West – aptly named Hell’s Half Acre. Where Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Etta Place once walked, Acre’s team set out to take a dash of that renegade Texan spirit and produce small-batch quality.
Hell’s Half Acre Rum is named for the infamous Fort Worth red light district of the late 1800s. It was reputed to be the wildest of its type of any other frontier town in the United States. Hell’s Half Acre Rum is distilled from Texas pure cane sugar & aged in new freshly charred white oak barrels for a minimum of 5 years. Hell’s Half Acre Rum is also available in a Gold Edition – aged 5 years, finished in a Bourbon barrel.
Today, the Acre is an experiential distillery where guests are invited to participate in tastings, custom whisky blending sessions, and cocktail classes.
Find out more on Acre Distilling Co.
Lockwood Distilling Company
In Richardson, Fort Worth and the new site in McKinney is about 30 miles North of Dallas, is a neighbourhood distillery that produces small-batch craft spirits including Bourbon, vodka, and rum. The rum is distilled from blackstrap molasses and turbinado sugar. The range includes Lockwood Silver Rum, Lockwood Pineapple Rum, Vanilla Rum, and Firewood Cinnamon Rum.
The small distillery has restaurant tables inside and an outdoor patio. Local musicians play Thursday- Sunday and serve lunch, dinner, and drinks on the patio. They have sites in Richardson, Fort Worth and McKinney to enjoy rum while you’re in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.
Find out more on Lockwood Distilling Co
Pinkerton’s Distillery
The first distillery in West Texas is a rum & vodka distillery in Lubbock that was founded by Lucas Pinkerton in 2015. Lubbock is a college town and where Buddy Holly came from. Today, Pinkerton’s has six partners and the range includes Pinkerton’s Distillery Platinum Rum, Gold Rum, and Coconut Rum. Lucas, a local is a self-taught master distiller, using heavy brix molasses to ferment over 9-10 days.
Distilling is on a single copper column still. Pinkerton’s Gold Rum ages with oak infusion spirals – these are made of the same materials as a classic oak barrel and used to develop the rum flavours. They are proud of their craft and make rum from scratch in Lubbock, Texas. You can visit on Saturday tours from 1–4pm.
Find out more on Pinkerton’s Distillery
Texas Hill Country
Rolling hills and limestone cliffs encompass the state capital Austin, San Antonio, and Fredericksburg – Texas wine country. This large central region is known for its picturesque landscapes, hub of wineries and distilleries, and charming towns. Close to the border with Mexico, Marfa is renowned for its art scene, wide-open spaces, and the famous Marfa Lights. The Big Bend is a mountain/desert landscape and the Balcones Fault is a fault zone that runs from Del Rio in the southwest to the Dallas area in the north-central.
Balcones Distilling
A 90 minutes drive south of Dallas is Balcones Distilling in Waco. Originally founded in 2008, Balcones is a well-known Texas whiskey brand. The founder Chip Tate exited in 2014, and today they still make a Texas Rum Annual Release.
The rum is made from quality molasses, and traditional double distillation in hand-built copper pot stills. They have a unique cooperage program, consisting of a variety of oak species and multiple toast profiles to create a bold and robust rum with rich deep fruit flavours.
You can book a tour of the distillery where they walk you through the distillation process and there’s a tasting room, and bottle shop – all in the heart of downtown Waco.
Find out more on Balcones Distilling
Elk Store Winery & Distillery
Following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, Todd Smajstrla, with Czech heritage, distills over 10 different liquors. In Fredericksburg, the Texas wine country, they produce small batch rum from a one-of-a-kind handmade Kentucky copper still. Elk Store Winery & Distillery also serves wines from all over the world, including Texas, by the glass, bottle, or case, along with small batch handmade spirits by the bottle or sip in a cocktail.
Elk Store has a lounge, a gourmet menu of small plates, and an 1100 square foot covered back patio with a fire pit and shows movies outside. You can book a guided tasting in the tasting room and visit the speakeasy-style spirit & wine bar.
Find out more on Elk Store Winery & Distillery
Iron Goat Distillery
This family and veteran-owned craft distillery Fredericksburg is located inside of Grand Central at Milam. Iron Goat Silver Rum is made from a mix of blackstrap molasses and turbinado sugar. Iron Goat Amber Rum starts with the silver rum and aged for 6 months in a used Garrison Brother bourbon barrel.
Iron Goat Texas heat cinnamon rum is made with Amber Rum with a hint of cinnamon flavour added but has no sweeteners. Visits are by appointment only.
Find out more on Iron Goat Distillery
Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery
Iron Wolf Ranch in Spicewood was founded in 2014 and is a destination distillery and live music venue with 3 stages that can accommodate 3500 people. Luna, the Siberian Gray Wolf is the inspiration behind the brand name. Iron Wolf Ranch Bourbon Barrel Rum is 100% molasses-made rum aged for over a year in their used Bourbon barrels. Iron Wolf makes a range of spirits that are sold in both signature cocktails and bottles to go. And, the events are dog-friendly.
“The Den” features an indoor air-conditioned bar, lounge, and stage and many outside areas for cocktails and dining. Enjoy the expansive lake country views, fire pits, yard games, full bars, food trucks, and live music every weekend – Friday to Sunday.
Find out more on Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery
One Shot Distillery & Brewery
This veteran-owned craft distillery and brewery in Dripping Springs makes hand-crafted rum. It begins with Rio Grande Valley sugarcane molasses, so the rum starts and finishes right here in Texas. They currently bottle Silver, Gold, Dark Rum, and several infusions. We also have the first barrels of 3-year-old oak-aged rum ready to bottle. The Silver Bullet Rum is crystal clear with a hint of vanilla and turbinado. This rum was made for Cuba Libre’s and island-style rum drinks, including our Raspberry Beret and Hurricane.
The Ten Ring Gold Rum is full of buttery caramel tones that go great in a hot toddy, daiquiris, or just rocks. They make adult rum milkshakes as a year-round dessert treat. You can visit the tasting/taproom or enjoy a drink outside under Texas live oak trees with live local music in the beautiful Biergarten.
Find out more on One Shot Distillery & Brewery
Round Mountain Distilling
Texas-born distiller Mike Jakle has been crafting exceptional rum since 2010. His journey began with White Hat Premium Texas Rum, which quickly gained acclaim. Despite facing a devastating flood in 2015, Jakle persevered, purchasing a new property in 2016 and establishing Round Mountain XXVIII Premium Texas Rum. This rum pays homage to Texas’ status as the 28th state admitted to the union.
Using locally sourced molasses, Jakle’s rum undergoes a meticulous triple distillation process. It’s then matured in American charred oak barrels and carefully carbon-filtered for a clean, smooth finish. Round Mountain’s Reserve is triple distilled, aged for 3 years in brand new American charred oak barrels and single barrel bottled at 94 proof.
Visit Round Mountain’s tasting room and distillery tours, it’s set on 7 picturesque acres near the Texas Wine Trail. Learn about the passion behind Texas rum and experience a truly exceptional spirit.
Find out more on Round Mountain Distilling
Spirit of Texas
Founded by Shaun Siems Spirit of Texas is a small-town micro-distillery & brewery that was born and raised in Pflugerville 30 minute drive north of Austin. They ferment, distill, age & bottle small-batch craft beers.
The range includes Spirit of Texas Straight Silver Rum, a pure unaged white sipping rum and Spirit of Texas Pecan Street Rum is the only rum America oak-aged with Texas pecans.
You can visit for a tour, or tasting, they have a cocktail lounge, karaoke, comedy shows, live music, and special events.
Find out more on Spirit of Texas
Rum Central
In Florence, is Rum Central, also known as the Rum University ages bulk rum for the beverage industry. they have 150+ types to select from, but it’s not open to the general public – by appointment only.
Piney Woods
This forested region in East Texas is known for its pine trees, humid climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, which supports a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. The Piney Woods is home to wildlife, including deer, wild hogs, and numerous bird species.
Front Porch Distillery
The distillery was established in late 2016 in an old catfish restaurant on the outskirts of Nacogdoches, the oldest town in East Texas. John Bradford and his family make a variety of craft spirits including rum. The range has Front Porch Distillery Signature Rum, Front Porch Distillery Single Barrel Aged Rum, and Front Porch Distillery Coconut Rum.
Take a tour of the distillery led by the owner and head distiller. Afterwards, head to the tasting room. They host live events every weekend with local music talent and delicious food trucks.
Find out more on Front Porch Distillery
Kiepersol
About 2 hours southeast of Dallas in Tyler is Kiepersol, founded by Pierre de Wet. They launched its first spirits in 2014 in the heart of a Texas vineyard. The rum was named after Pierre, whose fondest memories involved sun-soaked beach vacations with a rum and coke in hand. While the distillery’s debut included vodka, bourbon, and rum, it was rum that truly captured Pierre’s heart. To him, rum was more than a drink—it was a sweet elixir, meant to be sipped, savoured, and shared in life’s most joyful moments.
Pierre’s Rum is crafted from 100% blackstrap molasses in the Caribbean style, known for its robust, full-bodied character. The current rum is aged for 10 years, allowing it to develop rich layers of oak, vanilla, and caramel. They further enhance its depth by ageing it in Kiepersol wine barrels. This unique ageing process creates a smooth, complex finish.
The Grand Room offers a premier tasting experience for Pierre’s Rum, alongside Kiepersol’s other spirits and wines. Relax on the patio with breathtaking vineyard views, or step up to the tasting bar where they will guide you through a personalised tasting. While you’re here, indulge in a crafted cocktail and savour delicious bites from their bistro.
Find out more on Kiepersol
Gulf Coast
This region is famous for the Gulf of Mexico’s sandy beaches, warm climate, and major coastal cities like Houston, Galveston, and laid-back beach town Corpus Christi. The combination of a tropical climate, abundant rainfall, and access to the ocean has made the Gulf Coast a hub for cities like Houston, Port Arthur, San Leon, and Conroe.
Clutch Distilling
Owned by Eric Worrell Jr, a native of Houston with roots in Barbados and a passion for rum distilling. Clutch Distilling is the first Black-owned rum distillery and tasting room in Texas. The distillery makes Chandelier rum as a core rum expression. This rum begins its life with a wash made from food-grade black strap molasses and the first crystallization of 100% natural raw cane sugar. 24 Karat Spiced rum has a ground proprietary blend of spices to infuse the white rum. The slow infusion process takes just over a week, no sugar added but sweetened with a hint of star anise. The latest expressions are Cannon Overproof Rum rested in French oak at 105 proof, and Bimshire Heritage Aged Rum.
Shine N Grind is a lower-proof blend of flavours pulled during our rum production, combined with a unique blend of coffee beans from around the world. The coffee beans are sourced and roasted by Houston’s own Three Keyes Coffee company. Lei Low Bar is nearby if looking to combine the experience.
Find out more on Clutch Distilling
Bamboo Bay Rum
Robert & Matthew dreamed up the idea of Bamboo Bay Rum during the pandemic, but the idea of making rum had roots in the Caribbean when they worked in Trinidad from 2015-17. After visiting dozens of Caribbean distilleries, their paths crossed again in Houston to establish Bamboo Bay Rum.
Bamboo Bay Rum has no additives and is made from Louisiana molasses, with a 5–7-day fermentation, two distillations (an initial stripping run, followed by a second spirit run), and a long slow-proofing resting period of several months. Starting production in late 2023, only Bamboo Bay Rum is available, a white rum at 90 proof, rested for several months in stainless steel tanks. However, an ageing program has begun and barrels are being filled each month, for initial releases earmarked in late 2025.
In the meantime, they plan to bottle Caribbean rum from Barbados and Trinidad to release in late 2024. Visitors are welcome at the distillery to learn all about the rum-making process and taste their way through the various stages of the spirit creation phases. The distillery is also the best place to enjoy a Bamboo Bay Daiquiri.
Find out more on Bamboo Bay Rum
Gregarious Grump Spirits
Houston-based independent bottler of rum, Gregarious Grump started with Kristopher Hart, the owner supplying spirits exclusively for the Houston Whiskey Social. They bottle single-barrel aged rums from Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica and supply directly to Texas.
Bartletts Distillery
Van Brackin opened his family distillery in 2018 making rum and whiskey in Conroe 40 minutes’ drive north of Houston. Bartletts Silver Rum is distilled from panela (evaporated sugar cane juice) and is one of the first products they produced
Find out more on Bartletts Distillery
High Hill Distillery
In Hallettsville between San Antonio and Houston is High Hill Distillery founded in 2017 by the Popp family. Inspired by a rum distillery visit in Colorado,
The rum is made with cane sugar and molasses, then distilled on copper alembic pot stills and aged in traditional American white oak whiskey barrels from The Barrel Mill. The range includes Premium Barrel Aged 1884, Gold, Premium Barrel Aged Elbe Rum, and Bourbon Barrel Aged Reserve Rum
They welcome visitors to their tasting room, where you can sample the range, learn more about our process in the distilling building, and explore the barrel barn, treehouse, and barbecue pit. They open the last 3 Saturdays of every month 2-8pm for visits and events.
Find out more on High Hill Distillery
Railean Distillers
Located on Eagle Point in San Leon, a small town along the shores of Galveston Bay, the Railean Distillery was founded in 2006 by husband and wife team – Matt & Kelly Railean. It is one of the first distilleries in Texas (the first in the greater Houston area), the first to produce and release aged spirits in the State of Texas (Railean Reserve XO Aged Rum), has been operated by a woman (Kelly Railean) for nearly 20 years, and Kelly is also the Master Distiller.
It became legal in September 2013 for distillers in Texas to open tasting rooms to serve cocktails, sample and sell bottles – that is when Kelly opened The Buccaneer Bar, a pirate-themed bar/tasting room serving Railean Rum, Railean Vodka, Railean Whiskey, and Railean Blue Agave. Kelly was one of a handful of distillers & distillery owners who pushed to change liquor laws in Texas.
The Buccaneer was the first distillery tasting room to open in Texas. Their products are truly craft and American-made – all of the spirits are fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled on-site in sunny San Leon. They use Grade A molasses to make most of our rums, and one rum (Grand Cuvee) is made from Sugarcane Juice.
The retail shop & tasting room is open to the public, but only until the first of the new year! Their latest news is that they will retire sometime shortly after the first of the new year. Get out and visit them before you ask yourself “Why is the Railean Rum gone?”
Find out more on Railean Distillers
South Texas Plains
Known for its expansive grasslands and sparse vegetation, the plains are bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the east, the Rio Grande to the west, and the Edwards Plateau to the north. Home to San Antonio and The Alamo historic mission and fortress. Water scarcity halted sugarcane production here but there are some rum distilleries nearby.
San Antonio Distillery
San Antonio Distillery and Garden event center has been making rum since 2017 in Gonzales, about an hour south of Austin. In 1836 Colonel William Travis extended a plea for help to cross enemy lines to aid in the defence of the Alamo. 32 men and young men from Gonzales, Texas answered Colonel Travis’ plea to fight for the liberty of Texas.
The name of Immortal 32 rum was inspired by those brave souls who gave their lives in the name of liberty. The molasses used in fermentation comes from the Rio Grande Valley. It’s then distilled in a pot/column hybrid still. All fermentation and distilling is done at the distillery in Gonzales. Immortal 32 rum is aged between 5-10 years before being released. The tasting room is open Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm-10pm.
Find out more on San Antonio Distillery
Alamo Distilling Co.
Founded in 2015 by Daniel Taylor and Noel Burns in the heart of downtown San Antonio. They produce a range of spirits including limited edition rums of Rasta Bob Coconut Rum, White rum, and Dark rum. The small batch rum is made from premium sugars and molasses and distilled on a hybrid still. The dark rum is ged in oak barrels for at least three months,
You can book a tour and tasting where you’ll get to see the barrel room, which has the still, and learn about how the distillation process. Then, you can relax in the tasting room and enjoy the rum. They host regular events and private events.
Find out more on Alamo Distilling Co.
Trans-Pecos
Part of the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America. This is the westernmost region, the most mountainous and arid part of Texas, bordering Mexico.
Marfa Spirit Co.
Founded in 2018, by trio Morgan Weber, Seth Siegel Gardner, and Josh Shepard. Marfa Spirit Co began out of curiosity drawn by the Sotol plants that grow wild here — this with the centuries-old tradition of making spirits and their travels in Mexico developed a deep appreciation for Sotol, Mezcal, and Tequila.
Since opening in 2021, they’ve made a wide range of spirits including rum made with molasses sourced from the last sugarcane mill in South Texas. Marfa Spirit Co. Rum Reposado, Chihuahuan Desert Rum is distilled from molasses made from Texas and Louisiana sugarcane. The molasses arrives by rail in Marfa, predominantly for the use of cattle ranchers in Far West Texas.
They open-top ferment the molasses in pine vats for 1-2 weeks, depending on seasonal temperatures. The fermented molasses is then twice distilled in a 1960s-era German copper pot still. The Rum Reposado is then aged 16.5 months in 63-gallon Wisconsin white oak barrels. Marfa Spirit Co. Single Rum is distilled through a 5-micron filter and then proof down the distillate with Marfa water.
Find out more on Marfa Spirit Co.
We hope you enjoyed the guide, use this and our map to explore the state and enjoy the warm Texas hospitality and its vibrant scene. Ask for a Texas Hurricane cocktail, and see our bar recommendations below.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Texas
Austin: Caña Rum Bar, Here Nor There, The Roosevelt Room, Tiki Tatsu Ya, Nickel City
Dallas: Midnight Rambler, Swizzle, The Island Spot, The Davenport Lounge, The Rustic, Three Sheets, 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge
Fort Worth: Tarantula Tiki Lounge, Lockwood Distilling – Magnolia, ShipWreck Island Tiki Lounge
Galveston: Daiquiri Time Out, Huli Huli Hut, Nick’s Kitchen and Beach Bar, Rum Shack
Houston: Anvil Bar & Refuge, Lei Low Bar, The Warwick, Nickel City, Emilia’s Havana, Refuge Cocktail Bar, The Toasted Coconut
San Antonio: La Ruina, The Jerk Shack, Bar 1919, Azuca Nuevo Latino
Discovering rum in Texas on one visit would be an incredible adventure across one of the most dynamic states in the US. The scene centres on craft distilleries that are hubs for their local community hosting live music, foodie experiences, and their Texas-made rum.
For more general travel advice on Texas Tourism
For travel planning use our Texas Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.
