San Diego Distillery

If Nikola Tesla owned a distillery... I swear, I've never tasted whiskey like this before. Every sample was different and beautifully built. It's a hidden laboratory of delicious delights. Definitely not something to miss!!

I found this place through Groupon about five years ago. Have been coming back ever since. Small batch cask strength whiskey served here. Grwat venue to relax and enjoy quality spirits. Wonderful staff that enjoys sharing how whiskey is made and thought on whiskey overall. Very educational. Outstanding Rye and Bourbon. During Covid lock down they made habd sanitizer as well. If you want some great whiskey and an introduction in the world of whiskey...come on by. You won't regret it...but you will enjoy it and co tinge to come back.

What an amazing lil treasure we found today! This distillery is hidden in the back corner of industrial buildings that you wouldn't expect to be there. The ambiance was like a speakeasy and smelt of aged barrels (heaven!). The bartender was beyond knowledge and very welcoming. The drinks were soooo good! I highly recommend their chocolate old fashioned! We will be back for more.

The Grand Re-Opening was outstanding! The new tasting room is roughly four or five times larger than the first location. The owners and staff are second to none. The ambiance in the tasting area is incredibly inviting and relaxing. Perfect for anyone who enjoys craft cocktails, whiskey flights and great people in an incredible environment!

What a fantastic experience we had here today. Not only did Devon fully educate us in the different styles of whiskey, but also regaled us with some truly unique and entertaining stories. If you want a new and different experience , take this recommendation and come check out this place..

Had a great visit and picked up some really nice Bourbon.

I have visited this place quite a few times. The product is excellent, the mixed drinks are tasty even for one that isnt a whiskey expert. Atmosphere is comfy and quaint, service is knowledgeable and personable. Brought my out of town family with me and they equally agreed. Also, recently the company donated sanitizer to our acute dialysis nurses at Palomar Medical CTR which was greatly appreciated. We have a serious risk-infection job and need all the protection we can get. Thank you, SD Distillery !

Intimate, unique, groundbreaking! During the visit to the distillery I saw everything from the still where the mash is distilled to the barrels where the whiskey is aged. Trent is a mad scientist crafting what were hands-down the most unique spirits I have ever tasted! His passion is evident in every sip. I feel like I tasted the future of whiskey!

For someone who doesn't drink whiskey but is the #1 supporter of my whiskey-loving husband, this place is truly fantastic. They specialize in small-batch whiskeys and offer a unique speakeasy vibe, tucked away in an industrial park in Spring Valley. Devon is both fun and incredibly knowledgeable, making the experience even better. Congratulations to Trent and the team on 10 amazing years! Don't skip out buying a bottle.

What a wonderful experience at a place it feels like we discovered. The server was knowledgeable and engaging and the offerings delicious. It's really expensive so that was a surprise, $225 for a mini flight, 2 pours and a bottle with ti. We were happy to explore the shop and loved the laughing and conversation! It's a cool spot with so much potential for events. A little challenging to find - keep an eye out for the wooden barrel and you'll find it no problem. I liked the search and we were rewarded well.

I've been to San Distillery three times with three different groups of friends. We collectively spent over a grand on the spirits. However, the last experience will be the last. When entering the establishment, my friends and I were greeted with, not Hello, but "what are your intentions,". Not a welcoming vibe. The bar tender is over it and not personable. This could be a hidden gem if management upgrades the service staff. Go to Mike Curphy's in the same complex. Much better experience and better product.

Devon is an amazing host, I love coming here. Retro decor, comfortable and great tasting whiskeys. They offer 2 different flights and some cocktails. On his second visit, my son joined their club. He cant stop talking about what he learns each visit after his monthly tasting. You can bring a snack to nibble on while you enjoy your flight or cocktail. They are open - Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Not too hard to find - commercial property in Spring Valley.

Pretty killer selection of whiskies right in on our own backyard. They have 4 or 5 standards, including a single malt and a pleated whiskey and an ever-rotating section of specialty pours as well. The day we went, they had two distilled beers made into (pseudo) whiskies, both of which were quite tasty. Friendly service and a cozy, nicely decorated tasting room. Worth a visit and a taste or two.

Been coming here for years. Best whiskey in San Diego. Great spot to try great whiskey and talk with the super knowledgeable staff.

First of all, I had a Groupon for this place, so my cousins and I were excited to try our whiskey tasting. Upon getting there, we realized it was in a warehouse area and it was kind of hard to find in the dark because it's more so on the inside of the driving path opposed to the outside where you could see. Plus there weren't really signs to say that we were in the right place. There was a whiskey barrel outside, but it was facing away from the street. Once we were finally inside, the place was tiny and intimate, which was nice. It was decorated in a vintage style so that was kind of cool. The menu was short and simple, but we al noticed the line saying you couldn't have more than one whiskey flight OR cocktail in one night. Interesting rule. We wanted to have a second cocktail, but didn't ask because of that. We had Devon as our server and he was all by his lonesome working with a cut finger. He was very personable and nice, but he was the slowest bartender I've ever met. SUPER NICE GUY, makes his cocktails with care.... but just really slow. And then they didn't have enough glasses, so he had to start washing the glasses by hand with no bareback or anyone to help him out and that caused the process to be even slower. We didn't get our drinks til maybe 20 mins after we ordered. Then it started to get busier and he had to keep washing the glasses and whatnot so the new folks had to wait quite a bit. Between the four of us we had 2 pumpkin pie old fashions, a whiskey flight and one Penicillin. My pumpkin pie old fashion was hard to swallow.... but only because I didn't mix it til the end. But after we mixed them, those were soooooo good!! My husband really liked the whiskey flight and ended up buying a bottle of the Bourbon. All in all, a fun experience, but you can't stay too long if you want to drink more/have a faster time.

Funky little tasting room out in spring valley. The service is great, and the bartender/distillers are super knowledgeable. Eric does a great job.

If you're looking for a Gem off the beaten path...San Diego Distillery is the place to be. A perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon especially when looking for an experience. I was looking for the perfect birthday gift, fit for a King, and best believe I found it. When you first pull up, I promise, you are gonna feel like you made a wrong turn...don't give up, park and make your way to the back. When you see that table for two under the umbrella, you have made it! Go on in and enjoy. You're going to meet Devon and just go from there! I cannot express in words how the whole experience exceeded my expectations but it did. I won't go into mass detail of my exact experience because I know it could never be duplicated BUT whether you are a whiskey lover or whiskey rookie...you are going to enjoy not just the ambience, the bartender, and energy of this place... you're going to fall in love with whiskey too. The whiskey flight is definitely the way to start, but the Old Fashion is how you're going to want to finish. Take the little walk behind the scenes and enjoy learning the process of how heaven in a bottle is made... PS ~ you're going to want to take a bottle home with you! It was a beautiful day filled with amazing spirits, amazing people, amazing energy and definitely gave us a reason to go back and do it again and again and again. Ladies, if you're looking for something different to enjoy with your special someone...this IS the spot! You will have that person cheesing from ear to ear the entire day. I absolutely recommend San Diego Distillery!!!

I know many who enjoy an adult beverage. Not me. I'm here for their "hard stuff"! Hard to find. Difficult to make. Hand SANiTiZer! Yep, San Diego Distillery is making it and selling it out back. This Covid deal has changed lives. So I drove 40 minutes to get a supply. Let's say, I'm glad I made the drive. Where else can you get 80%? I'm happy to be drunk with feeling safer.

Clearly an amazing local distillery that cares about the San Diego community. Distillery right here in Spring Valley. Amazing to see that they have Hand Sanitizer in Production!! ‍‍ Support San Diego Distillery!!Cheers!!

I learned that I am a NOT a fan of Whiskey. Haha! However this place was quaint and intimate! I came here with a couple of my girls after we found and purchased a deal on Groupon. We enjoyed ourselves and laughed and laughed and had a really great time as Charlie explained the differences between the Whiskies. Charlie was great and I thank him for having such an awesome sense of humor! I don't think I'll partake in any more Whiskey tats ting but I'll definitely come back with my friends for great company!

San Diego offers up a lot of amazing places to grab a drink, so you may be thinking why go to Spring Valley? Well, if you're a fan of great whiskey/bourbon, then you should go see for yourself. San Diego Distillery is quite literally tucked away in an industrial area of Spring Valley and can be a little difficult to find. Pro tip: go up the stairs facing the street, make a left, then it's on your right. Once you're inside, you'll appreciate the lounge vibe. The drink menu is limited, but has a great staples like a Manhattan and Old Fashion with a unique twist. If you're not sure which way to go, Devin is super helpful and also willing to whip you up something unique. They also offer flights if you prefer to sample the goods before making a commitment.

Not sure what the deal is but I showed up on September 17, 2022 at 2 PM and the place is closed. I stuck around for a little bit to see if anybody would show up and nothing.. Pretty upset considering I drove 30 minutes to get here to pick up a couple bottles for a friends birthday. There's no sign on the door indicating it's their business and there is nothing indicating hours of operation. You can see that there are barrels inside of the doorway and stacked up in the windows so I assume they're still at this location. Maybe somebody didn't show up to work. Needless to say I'm out a gallon of gas, I'm heading to my local liquor store which is a half a mile from my house, and I'm not bringing the liquor that I said I would bring

Such an amazing distillery! I reserved the place for my husband's birthday and it could not have been more perfect. The space was more than enough room for our group of 10 and can definitely accommodate more. All of the whiskeys tasted great and even my friends who aren't the hugest fan of whiskey raved about the chocolate old fashioneds that Devon prepared. This place is perfect for intimate, low key events. I can also tell how passionate Devon is about distilling by how he explained the process to us and answered all of our questions. This place is totally worth a visit!

Met a friend here today. The boys had a few flights. I got a chocolate old fashioned. Yum! Very tasty and great service.

What an awesome place to sit and have a drink! The ambiance is nice and mellow so it's the perfect setting to sit and enjoy a tasting or cocktail. The bartenders are really friendly and have great recommendations. If you're into scotch, I recommend the Penicillin. Don't let the ginger scare you away, it's pretty subtle and adds well to cocktail.

Tough to find tucked away in a business park but great decor inside like a speak easy. Maybe some signage from the street is needed? Be sure to ask when you arrive on the specifics if you have a Groupon since it seems it doesn't give you full menu access. Groupon was for 4 flights or drinks for 4 people but in reality, I think it was for the basic flight or drink. I ended up paying $21 on top of the $29 Groupon since i didn't ask on specifics and let everyone order whatever flight they wanted. Good quality whiskey and tipped on full amount though!

Came here with a groupon with good friend that appreciates whiskey. Upon arriving at the business we were wondering what is up since it was a business park and plain exterior. We could see in the garage section where the distilling took place. Opened the front door to be immersed in the past. They have set this up to look like a speak-easy. Dark, intimate atmosphere with period music. The groupon was for the basic menu ($12 for 3 tasters), however, we upgraded to the premium ($18 without groupon) and were glad we did. We thought we knew whiskey and how to drink it. Wrong! We learned that we had really not had the experience of whiskey just drinking Jack D. and Jim B. Getting into the premium whiskey is totally different. When the whiskey was brought to us, we looked at each other and thought: "that's it? that little shot?". That is when the education began. We learned that we could stretch that "little" amount into a pleasurable experience. Our host explained how to taste each selection by adding water. What? Dilute the whiskey? YES. Our eyes are now open to a new level of tastes. We will be back.

The bourbon here is amazing, came last Saturday after seeing their sale on Instagram. The place is hidden so you might get lost. The distillery is super nice inside, has that speakeasy feel. Can't wait till things get back to normal so I can really hangout there.

Found this on Groupon and gave them as gifts for co workers and they love love live this place they now are members and Ger tasting a month with that membership.

Nominally, and normally, I don't drink 'hard' alcohol. However, I'm a fan of things local, things hand made ('crafted') and done with a certain passion to create. San Diego Distillery is all that. Tucked away in a light industrial complex, it's a small spot that might raise an eyebrow. You might think, 'meh, some guy is a step up from bilge wine'.. You'd be wrong. My Bride and I came on a Sunday afternoon, on a three day weekend, and stopped in, really just to see what it was all about. We were surprised there actually a good deal of people there - despite the location and the weekend. A small, but well appointed sitting room, and a friendly host. A small, but stout variety of strong spirits, each with their own appointed story, and each with their own intent of imparting in regards of flavor. For a reasonable price, you get your selection of 3 for a flight. Each is explained both in flavor and in how they are crafted. While enjoying the drink, you'll get a tour of the small, but very detailed operation - essentially, giving out the secrets it would seem. Not being a spirit drinker, I struggle to say what the cost comparison is for whisky you might find at an adult beverage store, but I'd say comparable, if not even better than comparable, as it's made, truly, by hand, by a family that does it not to get rich, nor to pay the rent, but merely out of a passion to make something unique. Definitely worth the stop, very San Diego and - very good!

I had never been spirit tasting before, so I brought my sister for this adventure. The location is in a business park, but when you get inside, it feels more like you've made it to a cool lounge for an entertaining event. It's very relaxing and mellow, with music playing in the background which was cool. Trent and Maria were amazing. Very friendly and welcoming, as well as knowledgeable. They did a great job explaining the process to us newbies, and how a tasting should go. I had no idea how complex rum, whiskey, or eau de vive could be (actually I had no idea what the last one was until our tasting, but hey it was good). We ended up staying a few hours and talking about distilling, brewing (he has a beer background), the industry, and food among other things.It really felt much more like hanging out a friends house than just a tasting. They specialize in small batch right now, so the prices reflect the amazing quality of the product. The Peeted Whiskey was my favorite. Smoky goodness! If you've never been to a distillery, this is one that you should try. Friendly, knowledgeable, great atmosphere and great product. If you want to support local businesses, this is one that is worth it, so give it a try!

Well worth the drive, and so FUN! I had a private party here on a Friday night, and it was so wonderful. Trent got us settled in before he left for the evening. Devon took care of us the entire night, crafting everything to our taste. It's in an industrial park, but once you're inside it's like a speak easy. Comfortable seating, very quaint lighting, and the acoustics are one of the biggest reasons I chose this establishment. I can sit on one side of the good side bar, and have a comfortable conversation with someone on the other side without raising my voice. They will play any music you want, and ... oh yeah, the liquor. WOWZA!!!

Drove from North County to Spring Valley to visit this place and was not disappointed. The server/bartender, Devin, was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable about a variety of products. As a whiskey fan, I opted to try THE quintessential whiskey drink, an Old Fashioned. Devin served up a delicious drink and kept a great conversation going. The lighting, music and atmosphere were fantastic. Quaint, classy and pays homage to old speakeasies of the past. If this place were closer, I could easily see it becoming one of my haunts. As it's far away, I'll have to plan for another trip, because I'll definitely be back.

Super fun and cute place! Trent and Maria hosted us for a private tasting/birthday party last night. They were so open and kind, very knowledgeable, and made deeeelicious drinks. Given that I'm not a huge whiskey fan, I didn't know what to expect but the whiskey sour was so good!! The tasting room is very rustic and cozy. Definitely an adults only place though. Although we could have brought the kids, it would have been too hard to entertain them and enjoy ourselves at the same time. Leave the littles at home and go check it out! You'll have a relaxing time, great drinks, and awesome hosts.

Incredible experience, very knowledgeable staff and great atmosphere. For a whiskey tasting it's more than affordable and you have three choices of tastings or you can go with a cocktail. Felt very well taken care of by Devin and he good job of explaining to the idea and story of it all. 5/5

At first, when drove up kinda wondered. Ha! Once inside, the tasting room was pretty cool. The guy was very informative about the whiskey. Very good!

Visiting from Chicago and I love bourbon so this was a good choice, Devon was the bar tender and he was very knowledgeable and gave good suggestions to my friend that isn't into whiskey a must visit! Loved the old school speakeasy vibe.

great lil place. The whiskey is delicious. They give a great detailed tour of the small facility. If you enjoy whiskey you must check this place out

Damn spring valley !!! I see you! Hiding these jewels in plain sight. Great place to come and get some flights and or cocktails. You can bring some snacks and share with the new friends you make here. We will definitely be back on fridays

The San Diego Distillery provides a very welcome treat in the form of craft whiskey! Never before have I tried a whiskey whether it be blended or single malt, that tasted like the ones we tried at San Diego Distillery! Each one had a unique flavor that could only be previously found in craft beers. Trent has found a way to instill so many fun and exciting flavors within each one of the whiskeys created here. A must for any lover of whiskey!

Awesome experience. Had a great time. Love everything. Chill vibes. Great whiskey. I just want to say if love whiskey you are at home here.

Found SD Distillery through Groupon and what a pleasant surprise. Trent the owner was so gracious to personally educate us on whiskey and the distilling process... He even tapped a few aging barrels just for us to taste! Such an awesome experience and we left with a greater appreciation for the spirit. The handcrafted cocktails were really top notch. Thank you SDD for the hospitality!

I visited with my friends using a Groupon and we had a really nice time. The distillery is small but growing. We loved the passion that the owners have for the business! The flights were great. I look forward to visiting again when I'm in San Diego.

I'll make this short and sweet... the drinks were delicious (which I was slightly surprised since we just experienced tastings in Ireland and Scotland), the bartender was friendly and the atmosphere was very inviting and quaint. We definitely will be back.

Great service. He was very friendly and helpful. It's a small spot but very nice. I'm not a big drinker so I was happy to see they had cocktails. My husband enjoyed the other drinks.

We purchased a Groupon, drove around the lot, and couldn't find the place. Called no answer. Called again guy tells us that they had a fire. Hung up! No more information. Called back no answer. I'm sure they were stressed but better customer service please! Hopefully they'll get themselves back together. Maybe I'll give them a second chance? Not sure!

This lil place is ahhhmazing! Trent and Maria couldn't be sweeter and more knowledgeable. It was so fun to get the scoop and shoot the s with Trent. We got to do a private party tasting with them and I highly recommend the Rye Whiskies (and i'm not a huge Whiskey fan, but it was delish!!). Whiskey sour was the JAM too! I can't wait to become a member... tell us when Trent!!! :)

Never been to this place... and it'll be my last. I walked in on their anniversary party where I was sold a drink. I was then told that I was supposed to buy a ticket in order to purchase that drink. I asked for two, they said they could only sell me one. I actually watched them serve a guy multiple drinks. Another asked for a pour and the bartender said he'd have to speak to the woman with the tickets, so not sure where that ended. Apparently with their ABC liquor license it's a one drink max. Their old fashioned was trash. I couldn't see spending $35-55 on a 375ml bottle or theirs. Save your money. In the end, I could see the legality of it all. They could have handled it with class as opposed to saying to me,"well, the regulars who come in here all know that that's all they can order so they usually order the flight."

Lady brought me here for some whiskey tasting and the place is really cool. Small and intimate but the best part is the owners. Maria was extremely nice and knowledgeable about their products, which taste amazing by the way. I would highly recommend checking this place out!

I think one of the best things about this place is it is "stumbling" distance from the house. But the BEST thing(s) are the great selection of TOP SHELF products from a local distillery. The BEST, bar none, Rye Whiskey. I like my Scotch. My preference is toward the Single-Malts, but I will imbibe blended at times. But the cask-strength Rye, with a touch of water (measured in drops) envelopes your mouth and throat in a warmth that is so subtle, it seems as if the liquid has simply vaporized into an aromatherapy treatment. It is that good. If you've never tasted GREAT whiskey before, this is the place to start; all that stuff you get at B*VM* will pale in comparison. Real whiskey by a real distiller who cares about his patrons. Worth EVERY dollar. Cheers!

Found this place via a friend through Groupon. We had a fantastic experience here. Owner was very attentive and took the time to find what we liked and answer all our whiskey questions. And the whiskey was great. Even left with a bottle.

I've been here 4 or 5 times now and it's always a great experience. The guy who runs it is a little weird, I think his name is Trynt or Trunt. He's an oddball but very friendly and if it's not busy he'll give you a tour of the inner workings of the distillery. The alcohol is all very good so stop by if you find yourself in spring valley!

Came across this place thanks to our friends in La Mesa. The hosts are wonderful and make some of the finest craft whiskey I have had in a while. They have a very rustic look to their tasting area where you can chose from 2 different flights (cask strength vs. a little more toned down versions ) Needless to say I tasted all of them and learnt a little about tasting whiskey as well. The owner was nice enough to autograph the whiskey I purchased :-)

Every week advancing the cutting edge. Every other production license in the county eats this one's dust.

Don't let the front fool you! This place has a lot of charm inside and the ambience was great. I loved how intimate the space is and the seating was very comfortable and homey. I came with a group of 8 and we all were able to sit comfortably. Loved the whiskey tastings and our host was very generous and knowledgeable.

Wow. That guy Trent knows his elixirs. I think he used to homebrew beer too so he really knows "craft". I was lucky enough to get a membership when they were offered and the perks are well worth the price! The location is a bit difficult to find the 1st time but once you open their door you are transported into barrel heaven. I love going for the 2 chairs next to the barrels and soaking in the view of everything that is aging. Wish he was closer to North County - hint hint please open a 2nd location closer to me!!! Keep up the great work Trent!

Love the products and the people here. Trent is a true craftsman with whiskey. A savant, IMO. Well worth the trip to Spring Valley. Be sure to stop by Liberty Call Distilling just across the street as well.