Salt Lake City: Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour

Copper stills make chemistry feel surprisingly human. Spirits of the Wasatch offers a small, hands-on look at distilling in Salt Lake City, with time for production details, scientific tools, and a tasting of the full product line. I like the private format and the chance to see instruments such as refractometers and hydrometers in use. I also like that the tasting includes Gold Medal gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur.

The main consideration is the tour’s short length. At 45 minutes to an hour, this is a focused introduction rather than a long production visit. You will walk and stand, though stools are available on request, and the tasting is limited to those 21 and older.

Quick takeaways

• Small groups of up to 10: You get a closer look at the equipment and a better chance to ask questions.
• A working lesson in distilling: The tour covers raw materials, production, testing, and the choices that shape flavor.
• Copper stills and oak barrels: You see the physical side of the process, not just finished bottles on a shelf.
• Practical science: Refractometers and hydrometers help explain how distillers measure and control each run.
• A full product tasting: Sample the distillery’s line, including medal-winning gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur.
• Easy value at $20: The price covers a private tour, technical explanation, and guided tasting, with no transport included.

Finding Spirits of the Wasatch at Broadbent Business Park

Your meeting point is the Spirits of the Wasatch gift shop in Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park. That detail matters because this is not a grand downtown visitor attraction with a large sign calling for attention. You need to arrive at the correct building and make your way to the shop.

Transportation to the distillery is not included, so plan your own route. The experience works best as a planned stop rather than something you squeeze in by chance between other Salt Lake City sights.

The setting gives the tour a practical feel. You are visiting a working small distillery, not a museum built around a display still. The company presents itself as a local operation with a strong interest in experimentation, and the compact setting keeps the focus on how spirits are made.

The tour is in English and is wheelchair accessible. It involves walking and standing, but stools can be requested if you need a rest. Smoking, bare feet, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Why the small group changes the experience

The group limit is 10 people, and the tour is described as exclusive and private. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose this activity over a large factory-style tour.

In a small group, you can pay attention to the guide’s explanation of each stage without trying to see over a crowd. You also have a better chance to ask about production choices, testing, and the character of each spirit. The exact guide’s name is not provided, but the experience depends heavily on the guide’s ability to explain both the craft and the science in clear terms.

I like this format for curious beginners. You do not need to know the difference between a hydrometer and a refractometer before arriving. The point is to see how these tools help a distiller make careful decisions.

A small group also has limits. If your party is used to a long, theatrical attraction, this may feel more like a close look inside a specialist workshop. The value comes from the explanation and access, not from a long list of rooms or elaborate staging.

What happens during the 45 to 60 minutes

The timing is compact. The experience lasts between 45 minutes and one hour, depending on the pace of the visit and the questions asked.

You begin with an introduction to the distillery and the work that happens behind the bottles. The guide then takes you through production areas and the equipment used to turn raw ingredients into spirits. You can expect to see copper stills and oak barrels, two elements that make the process easier to picture.

The copper stills give the tour its visual center. They are not just attractive pieces of equipment. They represent the point where a carefully prepared mixture is heated and separated, with the distiller deciding how to manage the run.

The oak barrels tell a different part of the story. Aging requires patience and careful monitoring, and the barrels help explain why a finished spirit can develop flavors and aromas over time. The information provided does not promise a long barrel-storage visit or a chance to handle the equipment, so I would treat this as an explanation and viewing experience rather than a workshop.

The tour also includes production and testing procedures. This is useful because many distillery visits stop at the dramatic parts, such as stills and barrels. Here, you also get a look at the checks that help keep production precise.

The science behind a bottle

The technical side is one of the best features of this tour. You are introduced to refractometers and hydrometers, two instruments used to help measure what is happening during production.

You also learn about the theory behind the operation, from selecting raw materials to adjusting distillation methods. That gives you a better way to understand the final tasting. A spirit does not taste a certain way by accident. Ingredient choices, heat, timing, separation, and testing all affect the result.

The guide also explains the different phases of a distilling run through a sensory exercise. This is a useful bridge between laboratory precision and human judgment. You are not only hearing about numbers. You are also learning how a distiller uses sight, smell, and taste to distinguish changes during the process.

I especially like this balance. The tour does not treat distilling as either pure old-fashioned craft or pure technical work. It presents both sides. The instruments help with accuracy, while sensory judgment helps the distiller understand aroma and flavor.

The short duration means the discussion cannot cover every detail of distilling. Still, you get a solid framework for understanding what happens before a bottle reaches the tasting table.

Copper, oak, and the working atmosphere

The distillery’s physical details help keep the tour grounded. Gleaming copper stills show the machinery involved, while dusty oak barrels point to the slower part of the process.

The air is described as carrying the aromas of production and aging spirits. That sensory element matters. You are not simply looking at diagrams or listening to a talk in a generic room. The surroundings help connect the explanation to actual materials and equipment.

At the same time, you should keep your expectations sensible. The experience is one hour, not a full afternoon inside every corner of the operation. You will see selected areas and learn how the parts fit together. The emphasis is on access, explanation, and tasting rather than a sprawling facility tour.

For me, that makes the activity a good match for a free morning or afternoon in Salt Lake City. It gives you a specific local experience without taking over your schedule.

Tasting the complete product line

The final part is a guided tasting of the distillery’s entire product line. This is where the technical information becomes useful. Instead of tasting a drink with no context, you can connect its aroma and flavor to the methods discussed earlier.

The featured products include gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur. The distillery’s gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur have earned Gold Medals, and the company received seven Gold Medals and three Double Gold Medals at spirit competitions in 2024.

Those awards do not guarantee that every bottle will suit your taste. They do give you a helpful reason to pay attention. The tasting is not just an extra pour at the end. It lets you compare different spirit styles and consider how each one handles aromatics, flavor, and balance.

The phrase guided tasting is important. You are not simply handed a lineup and left to guess. The guide helps you understand what you are sampling and how the products reflect the distillery’s work.

The exact pour sizes and tasting sequence are not specified, so do not assume this is a large drinking session. The purpose is to sample the line and build an appreciation for the differences between products.

If you are driving, plan carefully. The tour does not include transportation, and alcohol will be served to eligible participants. The practical choice is to arrange a safe way back before you arrive.

How the medal record affects the value

At $20 per person, this experience offers good value if you care about how spirits are made. You are paying for a private tour, an explanation of production and testing, a look at scientific instruments, and a tasting of the complete line.

Many tastings charge mainly for the drinks. Here, the educational portion gives the price more weight. You can leave with a clearer understanding of why spirits differ, not just a preferred bottle.

The medal record adds interest, especially if you already enjoy gin, whiskey, or liqueurs. Seven Gold Medals and three Double Gold Medals in 2024 suggest that the distillery has earned serious recognition for its products. Still, I would not choose the tour solely because of awards. The stronger reason is the combination of a working setting, a small group, and a guide who explains the choices behind each spirit.

For someone who does not drink, the value is less clear. You can still learn from the production section, but the final tasting is a major part of the experience. People who dislike alcohol or cannot sample it should consider that before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the tour to several types of visitors:

• Spirits fans: You can compare gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur in one sitting.
• Curious beginners: The scientific tools and clear production stages give you a useful introduction.
• Small groups of friends: The private format makes it easy to ask questions and share the tasting.
• People seeking a local activity: This is a small Salt Lake City operation rather than a broad sightseeing attraction.
• Visitors interested in craft production: You see how raw materials, equipment, testing, and sensory judgment work together.

It is less suitable for anyone looking for a long, elaborate attraction with many separate rooms. It is also not appropriate for unaccompanied minors. People under 21 may join the tour only with a guardian, and they may not take part in the tasting.

The activity is listed as not suitable for people under 21, so anyone booking with a younger family member should confirm the arrangements in advance. The tasting itself is for those 21 and older.

A few practical points before booking

Allow about an hour, but do not book another activity so tightly that you cannot spare a little extra time. The official duration is one hour, with the actual tour lasting between 45 minutes and an hour.

Wear something suitable for walking and standing. Stools are available on request, which helps if standing for the full visit is difficult.

The tour is offered in English. If you need another language, this activity may not be a good fit because no other language option is listed.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Salt Lake City plans are still shifting.

The easiest mistake is assuming transportation is included. It is not. Make your own way to Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park, and use the gift shop as the meeting point.

Should you book the Spirits of the Wasatch tour?

I would book this tour if you want an affordable, focused look at local distilling and you enjoy learning through tasting. The strongest features are the small group, the practical discussion of refractometers and hydrometers, and the chance to sample a complete line that includes award-winning gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur.

I would skip it if you want a major sightseeing attraction, cannot take part in the tasting, or prefer not to walk and stand. At $20, the activity is a strong buy for spirits fans and curious beginners, but its value depends on your interest in the craft.

Plan your transportation, arrive at the correct building, and treat the hour as a close look at a small working distillery. That is where Spirits of the Wasatch makes its best case.

FAQ

How long does the Spirits of the Wasatch tour last?

The tour lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $20 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

It meets at the Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Gift Shop in Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the distillery is not included.

What does the tour include?

It includes an exclusive private tour, a guided tasting of the full product line, practical information about scientific instruments, and participation in production and testing procedures.

What spirits can I taste?

The experience includes gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur among the distillery’s products. The full product line is included in the guided tasting.

Are people under 21 allowed to attend?

People under 21 may attend with a guardian, but they may not take part in the tasting. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and stools are available on request for people who need to sit during the walking and standing portions.