Salt Lake City: Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour

Salt Lake City’s Spirits of the Wasatch tour gives you a close look at the working side of small-batch distilling. Instead of simply sitting at a bar with a tasting flight, you’ll move through the production space, examine the tools used to test spirits, and learn how raw ingredients become finished bottles. The tour ends with samples from the full line, including award-winning gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur.

I like the hands-on science here, especially the explanation of hydrometers and refractometers. I also like the small group size, capped at 10 people, which gives the guide room to answer questions and explain the production process at a sensible pace.

The main limitation is time. The tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, so this is a compact introduction rather than a long, technical workshop. Anyone under 21 may join the tour with a guardian, but cannot take part in the tasting.

Key Points

• See the production area: Walk through the distillery, with its copper stills, oak barrels, testing equipment, and working spaces.
• Learn the science: Get practical explanations of hydrometers, refractometers, raw materials, and distillation methods.
• Taste the whole line: Finish with a guided tasting of Spirits of the Wasatch products.
• Try medal-winning spirits: The tasting includes gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur recognized at spirit competitions.
• Keep the group small: The private tour is limited to 10 participants and led in English.
• Plan for standing: The tour includes walking and standing, though stools are available on request.

Inside Building 5 at Broadbent Business Park

Your meeting point is the Spirits of the Wasatch gift shop in Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park. This is not a grand old distillery in a historic downtown building. It is a working small-distillery setting, which gives the experience a practical, behind-the-scenes feel.

That setting matters. You are not just being shown a polished tasting room with bottles arranged on a shelf. The focus is on how the spirits are made, tested, and refined. You’ll see the equipment and working areas that support the finished products.

The distillery is in Salt Lake City, making this a simple add-on for a city stay if you want something beyond museums, restaurants, and mountain outings. Transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Building 5. The meeting point is specific, so check the building number before you arrive.

The tour is conducted in English. It is designed for a small group of no more than 10 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. The word private is used for the experience, but the supplied details also describe a small group limited to 10, so do not assume you will always have the distillery entirely to yourself.

Copper Stills, Oak Barrels, and the Working Distillery

The first part of the tour introduces the physical side of distilling. You’ll see gleaming copper stills and oak barrels used in the production and aging process. The contrast is useful: copper stills represent the active distillation stage, while the barrels point to the slower work that continues after the spirit has been produced.

A good guide will connect what you see to what ends up in your glass. The still is not simply a large piece of impressive equipment. Its design and operation affect how aromas and flavors are separated. The barrel is not just storage, either. Time in oak can change the character of a spirit, adding new aromas and softening its edges.

The experience also puts local ingredients and small-scale production into context. You’ll learn how raw materials are selected and how the distiller adjusts techniques to create a particular result. The available information does not provide a fixed list of ingredients or a detailed recipe for each product, so expect principles and demonstrations rather than a secret formula.

This part should suit both newcomers and serious spirits fans. If you already know the basics of distillation, you can use the private format to ask more specific questions. If you are new to the subject, the equipment gives you a clear visual reference as the guide explains the process.

Hydrometers and Refractometers Made Practical

The most distinctive feature of this tour is its attention to testing and measurement. You’ll be introduced to hydrometers and refractometers, instruments that help distillers measure and monitor what is happening during production.

That scientific element gives the tour more substance than a standard tasting. You are not only told that distilling requires precision. You get an explanation of the tools used to maintain that precision and practical insight into how they fit into production.

The guide also covers the theory behind the operation, from the selection of raw materials to the adjustment of distillation techniques. You may not leave ready to run a distillery, but you should have a much clearer idea of why small changes can affect the final spirit.

I especially like this part for curious visitors who want to understand the process rather than simply sample alcohol. It also gives you useful vocabulary. After the tour, terms such as hydrometer, refractometer, testing, and distillation run will mean more than they did when you walked in.

The time limit is worth keeping in mind. Since the whole experience lasts less than an hour, the scientific explanations will be introductory rather than exhaustive. You’ll get the working idea, not a full professional training session.

Following a Distillation Run With Your Senses

The tour includes a sensory exercise built around the different phases of distilling runs. This is where the technical information becomes easier to understand. Instead of treating distillation as an invisible process happening inside a sealed machine, you’ll consider how aroma and flavor change at different stages.

That sensory focus is valuable because spirits are judged by more than alcohol strength. Aromas, texture, balance, and the way flavors develop all help define the finished drink. The guide’s job is to help you notice those differences and understand why they matter.

This may be the most rewarding part for anyone who usually drinks spirits without thinking much about how they are made. You’ll be encouraged to use your senses and compare characteristics rather than quickly swallow a sample and move on.

The experience does not promise a separate food pairing or a formal mixology class, so you should book it for distillery education and tasting rather than cocktail instruction. Its strength is the connection between the production room and the glass.

The Guided Tasting: Gin, Whiskey, and Coffee Liqueur

The final portion is a guided tasting of the complete product line. The available details specifically highlight gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur. This gives you a chance to compare different types of spirits made by the same producer and see how the production choices vary from bottle to bottle.

The distillery’s products received seven gold medals and three double gold medals at spirit competitions in 2024. That is useful context, but medals should not decide your taste for you. The better reason to pay attention is that you can sample the products after hearing how they are produced.

Gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur also offer a broad range of aromas and textures. Gin tends to make botanical character easy to notice. Whiskey lets you think about grain, distillation, and oak aging. Coffee liqueur shifts the discussion toward sweetness, roast character, and balance.

The tasting is guided, so you should expect help in noticing the differences between samples. It is not just a row of small pours with no explanation. At the same time, the supplied information does not state the exact number of samples, pour sizes, or whether every bottle is available on every date. If a particular product matters to you, ask the guide when you arrive.

Anyone under 21 may attend the tour with a guardian, but cannot be present during the tasting. The activity is therefore best suited to adults who want the full experience. The rules also prohibit smoking, bare feet, and unaccompanied minors.

How Much Time and Walking to Expect

The advertised duration is one hour, while the detailed timing places the tour between 45 minutes and an hour. That makes it easy to fit into a Salt Lake City schedule, but you should not expect a leisurely afternoon at the distillery.

The route includes walking and standing. Stools are available on request, so ask for one before the tour begins if standing for long periods is uncomfortable. The activity is wheelchair accessible, though you may still want to confirm any specific mobility needs in advance.

Because the group is limited to 10, the guide can usually keep the pace interactive. You’ll have a better chance of asking about a bottle, a measurement tool, or a stage of the process than you would in a large factory tour.

The compact timing is both a strength and a drawback. I like that you can learn the basics and finish with a tasting without giving up half a day. If you want a lengthy production lecture or extensive time around the equipment, the one-hour format may feel brief.

Is $20 a Fair Price?

At $20 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a small-group experience that includes a guided tasting of the entire product line. You are paying for more than the samples. The price also covers access to the production area, an explanation of the distilling process, and practical discussion of the instruments used for testing.

The value is strongest if you are interested in how spirits are made. A casual drinker who only wants a quick taste may find a simpler bar flight more convenient. You should choose this tour if you want the story behind the bottles and appreciate the chance to ask questions.

The medal record adds interest, particularly for anyone comparing local distilleries. Still, the award count should be treated as background rather than a guarantee that every product will suit your palate.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is helpful if your Salt Lake City schedule is still shifting. You can book without paying immediately, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy Spirits of the Wasatch Most?

I would recommend this experience to adults who like craft beverages, food science, local production, or small businesses. It is also a good choice if you have already visited the city’s main sights and want a one-hour activity with a clear focus.

It suits beginners because the guide explains basic equipment and production stages. It also gives spirits fans enough technical material to make the visit worthwhile, especially if you ask questions about testing, raw materials, or the differences between distillation runs.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking a long sightseeing outing. It does not include transportation, a broad Salt Lake City city tour, or a meal. It is a focused visit to one small distillery.

Plan carefully if your group includes anyone under 21. A minor may join the tour with a guardian, but cannot be present during the tasting, and the activity is not intended for unaccompanied minors.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Wear comfortable shoes, since the visit involves walking and standing. Bare feet are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited.

Arrive at the gift shop in Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park rather than simply searching for a general Salt Lake City meeting point. The tour begins there, and transportation to and from the distillery is your responsibility.

If you need to sit, request a stool. The activity is wheelchair accessible, but a specific mobility question is best raised before the tour.

Keep some time after the tasting if you want to consider which products you prefer. You may learn more by comparing the gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur than by trying to rush through the final samples.

Since the tour is in English, make sure that format suits everyone in your group. The small size should help with questions, but the listed tour language is English only.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book Spirits of the Wasatch if you want a short, affordable look at how a local distillery works, with real attention to testing, aroma, and production choices. The combination of copper stills, oak barrels, scientific instruments, sensory work, and a full tasting gives the hour a useful structure.

I would be more cautious if you want a large, theatrical attraction or a long visit with extensive time for drinking. This is a compact working-distillery tour, and its best qualities are its small scale, practical explanations, and direct connection between production and taste.

For adults interested in gin, whiskey, coffee liqueur, or the craft behind them, $20 is a sensible price. If you have room in your Salt Lake City plans, it is an easy way to spend an hour learning something specific and tasting products that have earned serious competition recognition.

FAQ

Where does the Spirits of the Wasatch tour begin?

The meeting point is the Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery gift shop in Building 5 of Broadbent Business Park.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $20 per person.

What is included in the experience?

The experience 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 highlights Gold Medal winning gin, whiskey, and coffee liqueur. The tasting covers the distillery’s entire product line.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide leads the experience in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is a small-group activity limited to 10 participants.

Can someone under 21 join?

A person under 21 may join the tour with a guardian, but cannot be present during the tasting. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. It involves walking and standing, and stools are available on request.