The American craft whiskey scene has really come into its own over the past few years, expanding beyond the traditional Tennessee and Kentucky bourbons to include ryes, single malts, blends and white whiskeys made with a combination of old-world and new-school techniques.
We asked a panel of American spirits experts to nominate 20 of the best craft whiskey distilleries in the USA, and four the past four weeks, our readers have been voting daily for their favorites. Many of these distilleries work in small batches using locally-sourced ingredients. Many are family-owned. All take pride in crafting unique whiskeys worthy of sipping.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Craft Whiskey Distillery are as follows:
- Garrison Brothers - Hye, Texas
- Balcones Distilling - Waco, Texas
- Nelson's Green Brier Distillery - Nashville
- New Liberty Distillery - Philadelphia
- Triple Eight Distillery - Nantucket, Mass.
- Kings County Distillery - Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Rogue Spirits - Newport, Ore.
- Still 630 - St. Louis
- Bully Boy Distillers - Roxbury, Mass.
- Corsair Distillery - Nashville
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Emily Arden Wells (Gastronomista), Brian Christensen (Artisan Spirit Magazine), Liam Deegan (Barrel Proof), Laura Johnson (Distillerista) and Arthur Shapiro (Booze Business) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the American craft spirits industry.
Congratulations to all our winning whiskey distilleries!
License the 10Best Readers' Choice Award Logo
The Experts
Emily Arden Wells
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the... Read More
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Emily Arden Wells

Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Brian Christensen
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan... Read More
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Brian Christensen

Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Liam Deegan
Liam Deegan brings impressive knowledge of... Read More
Liam Deegan brings impressive knowledge of beverages to Barrel Proof as both a second level certified cicerone and first level sommelier. Bartending throughout much of his college career, Deegan held positions at several New Orleans hot spots, including Score’s and Rick’s, both located on Bourbon Street, while also pursuing a beer sommelier certification. about opening a new whiskey-centric bar concept, Barrel Proof. Deegan joined Barrel Proof as a managing partner where he has curated an extensive list of over 210 whiskies from around the world, including sought after Japanese whiskies, and a rotating list of almost 60 brews.
Liam Deegan

Liam Deegan brings impressive knowledge of beverages to Barrel Proof as both a second level certified cicerone and first level sommelier. Bartending throughout much of his college career, Deegan held positions at several New Orleans hot spots, including Score’s and Rick’s, both located on Bourbon Street, while also pursuing a beer sommelier certification. about opening a new whiskey-centric bar concept, Barrel Proof. Deegan joined Barrel Proof as a managing partner where he has curated an extensive list of over 210 whiskies from around the world, including sought after Japanese whiskies, and a rotating list of almost 60 brews.
Laura Johnson
Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new... Read More
Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new You & Yours Distilling Co., California’s first urban destination distillery. One of the few female distillers in the country, Johnson is committed to crafting high quality spirits, with the goal of creating products for every palate. Johnson trained at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Dry Fly Distilling School and the Distilled Spirits Epicenter’s Master Distiller’s program. When not in the distillery, Laura can be found crushing the craft cocktail world on her blog, Distillerista.
Laura Johnson

Laura Johnson is the founder of San Diego's new You & Yours Distilling Co., California’s first urban destination distillery. One of the few female distillers in the country, Johnson is committed to crafting high quality spirits, with the goal of creating products for every palate. Johnson trained at the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Dry Fly Distilling School and the Distilled Spirits Epicenter’s Master Distiller’s program. When not in the distillery, Laura can be found crushing the craft cocktail world on her blog, Distillerista.
Arthur Shapiro
Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry... Read More
Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry for over 30 years in senior positions with leading companies and as a consultant. He writes and publishes a blog on the industry called Booze Business. His book about the industry, Inside the Bottle: People, Brands and Stories, was published this past Fall. Arthur’s consulting practice currently focuses on startup ventures and distilleries in the spirits industry and he has met with, written about and worked with some of the best craft and artisanal producers in the U.S.
Arthur Shapiro

Arthur Shapiro has been in the spirits industry for over 30 years in senior positions with leading companies and as a consultant. He writes and publishes a blog on the industry called Booze Business. His book about the industry, Inside the Bottle: People, Brands and Stories, was published this past Fall. Arthur’s consulting practice currently focuses on startup ventures and distilleries in the spirits industry and he has met with, written about and worked with some of the best craft and artisanal producers in the U.S.