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If you enjoy flavored vodka or rum, then this distillery tour in Tampa is the place for you. Right in the heart of the Cuban influenced Ybor City in Tampa, you will find the pocket-sized Florida Cane Distillery. Here you will be able to taste some of the best flavored Vodkas and Rums in Florida made from all local ingredients. The Florida Cane Distillery tour might be small, but it’s punching way above it’s weight.
The Tour
INTRO AND TOUR
The Florida Cane Distillery tour is proof that good things come in small packages. When you visit, the first thing that will strike you is just how compact this distillery is. You enter through the tasting room where you will sit and be welcomed with a vodka. After the intros are done your tour guide will take you through to the distillery (we are talking about 6 steps). Here you will see where all the magic happens, from distilling right through to bottling and labeling. In this intimate tour your knowledgeable guide will take you through how Florida Cane distills all its spirits and will happily answer any questions you might have along the way. This place really is the definition of a micro-distillery, so unlike other distilleries you aren’t going to see towering stills and large production lines. Instead you’ll see small, somewhat beaten up stills that are literally steps away from where the spirits are bottled and labelled. This all gives it that local hand-made charm which will give Florida Cane Distillery a special place in your heart.
Beauty and The Bottle
One of Florida Cane’s largest customers is none other than Disney. Disney World in Orlando has been buying their orange-flavored vodka for over 5 years now, so hats off to Mickey and friends for supporting local. That means that if you’ve been drinking at Disney World recently, then unbeknownst to you, you may well have already tried Florida Cane’s wares. Let’s just hope it didn’t have you seeing fairies whilst drinking around the world at Epcot!
Whiskey Making Classes
If you are inspired by the Florida Cane Distillery tour and want to give it a go yourself, then they also run whiskey making classes. Offering both a mini and a full 3-day masterclass, you can learn everything you need you know to make your very own whiskey. You can message them for mere details about the classes here.
The Tasting
After the mini tour you are invited to sit in their intimate tasting area where you can try out all their spirits. Grab a stool at one of the tables, and a server will make their way around asking you what you would like to try. If there are more than a couple of groups, then you might have to be patient- especially if you want to try more than a few flavors. It is worth the wait though, the flavors are endless and all delicious.
Which Bottles To Buy
Winner: Everglades Vanilla Bean Vodka
Runner-up: Orlando Orange Vodka
Honorable mention: Pineapple Rum
The flavored vodkas really are the star of the show here, and they have a huge variety. When we visited, we tried Vanilla, Orange, Blueberry, Strawberry, Cherry and Lemon & Lime and they are constantly experimenting with new flavors. The variety means they really do have something for everyone. We took home a bottle of the Everglades Vanilla Bean Vodka as well as the Orlando Orange Vodka as not only were they delicious on their own, but they are incredibly versatile to use in cocktails.
Tour Details
Tour times: Mon-sun 1pm-4pm (on the Hour)
Length of tour: 15 minute tour, 30 minute tasting
Cost: $10
Included: Welcome Vodka, very brief tour and samples of anything that you want to try
Booking: Book online or call for tours. Can also just drop in for tastings.
Note: Due to Covid- 19 Florida Cane Distillery are not currently running distillery tours. Check back here for updates.
Top tips
1) Try EVERYTHING: The Florida Cane distillery tour excels in offering tastings, don’t be shy and try everything before you buy.
2) Grab something to eat: If you are like us and want to try all of the flavors then make sure you grab something to eat first. After trying our 7th or 8th flavor we were starting to feel it! Luckily you aren’t short of great eating options in Ybor city.
3) Be on time: We were 4 minutes late (Tampa traffic is notoriously terrible) and as a result we were not offered the welcome shot of Vodka that the rest of the tour group were given to start. Obviously, we had plenty of opportunity to try everything later, but don’t be tardy- they do not make late comers feel welcome!
4) Don’t make the trip to Tampa just for this: This Tampa distillery tour is a lot smaller than some other tours, it’s really just a tasting room with a short intro to the distillery- stop by if you’re in the area, but don’t make it the focal point of your trip.
Location & contact
Website: https://www.floridacane.com/
Contact Number: (813) 302-9696
Email: info@floridacane.com
Location: 1820 N 15th Street, Tampa, FL 33605
Florida Distillery Directory
For a full directory of the 50+ distilleries currently operating in Florida then check out our Florida Distillery Directory.
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