Guided tours of distilleries are the perfect way to liven up any vacation. Distilleries make hard alcohol like whiskey, vodka, and rum. These places allow you to learn about the history of spirits, as well as the history of the country.

What to Know Before Taking a Guided Tour of a Distillery 

1. How Many Whiskey Regions Are There? 

The location of the distillery matters when it comes to spirits. There are only five—or seven, depending on who you ask—regions that are authorized to make whiskey. These include Scotland, Ireland, Kentucky, Canada, and Tennessee. Some argue that Japan and New Zealand should be included, too. Each region puts a unique spin on this classic drink.

2. Which Famous President Owned a Distillery? 

George Washington owned and operated a commercial distillery. It was one of the largest distilleries in the nation at the time and made lots of whiskey. After he died in 1799, the building fell into disrepair. However, it was recreated in 2007, and you can go on a guided tour there today.

3. How Big Was the Largest Bottle of Whiskey? 

The largest bottle of whiskey on record was made by the distillers at Famous Grouse. It was a five and a half foot bottle that contained over 60 gallons of whiskey.

4. What’s the Connection Between Dairy Farmers & Distillers? 

Dairy farmers located near distilleries don’t need to spend nearly as much on feed for their animals. Grain is involved in the distilling process, and there’s a lot of waste once the spirits are created. Farmers pick up excess grain waste from the distilleries to feed to their livestock.

5. What’s the Vodka Distilling Process Like? 

Vodka is made from grains like rye, barley, and corn, as well as cooked potatoes. It needs to be distilled at least three times—but four to eight times is the standard. Some artisanal distilleries might distill their vodka up to 10 times.

 

Laughlin Tours offers premium tours of the Laughlin, NV, area, including sites like the Grand Canyon, as well as guided tours of wineries, breweries, and distilleries. They’ve been operating since 2001 and are committed to turning your vacation into the trip of a lifetime. Their Taste of Route 66 Tour in Kingman takes you to a distillery where you’ll get to taste premium rum and vodka, as well as see the distilling process firsthand. Visit their website to learn more about this wine and distillery tour, or call (702) 420-5345 to book your next adventure.