Definitely worth a stop when in the Waterbury area. Smugglers' Notch Distillery is in the same plaza as Cabot Creamery and Lake Champlain Chocolates, so there is a lot to see and taste here. After looking at the very attractive displays showcasing each product made at the Distillery, my daughter and I opted to share a tasting. We chose the Moroccan Rose and Grapefruit Flavored Vodka to start and I loved the distinct fruity taste without the sugary sweetness. Next was the Maple Gin, which was lovely as well. Our server told us she likes to mix it with muddled blueberries and ginger beer for a refreshing summertime mule, and I agree that does sound delicious. Our third taste was the Bourbon Maple Cream Liquor, which was so delicious, and we finished the tasting with the Maple Cram Liquor, which was smooth, sweet, and went down very easily. We were impressed with the cleanliness of the store - everything was sparkly clean and shining. The layout of the displays was so attractive. We will definitely stop there again on our next trip to VT. read more

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Beautiful tasting room and easy access if you're just passing through! There is plenty of parking and other things to do including a Cabot's creamery, a chocolate shop and a sandwich shop for lunch! The tasting room is small with a single counter for tasting and a wall of bottles for purchase but it's well worth the wait if needed. You can even sample the syrups while you wait for free! Our hostess was very informative about all of the spirits and very appreciative of each of her customers. She talked a bit fast but that's understandable in the environment, it's busy!! We each did a tasting, the special tasting and the regular, so we got to try almost everything! Our cabinet and fridge got a few new additions with the canned vodka sodas and a single barrel. I highly recommend a stop and a tasting of the Hopped Gin, whether you're a gin drinker or not!! We visited in August 2024. read more

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Loved this place! The staff was so friendly to chat with and it was fun to try different tastings and recommendations for cocktails. Surprisingly I really enjoyed the maple and rose seltzers--they were so unique! read more

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We came in on a Monday around 2:30 and we were happy to see them open. The tasting room/retail shop are open and airy. Our server was really sweet and knowledgeable about the liquors on the tasting. We did two tastings the special and the regular. The tasting are reasonably priced. We actually purchased some items to take home to California with us. read more

Stopped in to get a gift of bourbon for a friend. Luck has it that they had a 4 sample bourbon sampling for 10 dollars. Staff is so knowledgeable. They have a great selection of spirits. I will definitely be back!! read more

Smugglers' Notch Distillery - Seats for your tasting - Distilleries Near Me - Waterbury, Vermont

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Fantastic bourbon and great service. Loved stopping in here. Great little local distillery.

Fantastic store with multiple local options and flavors. Definitely a must see if in the area

Fun place to stop on the same day you visit Ben and Jerry's. A very pleasant, lovely gal gives you a tasting at $4 for 4 1/4 oz. pours. She even took our picture in front of a beautiful moral painted by a local artist!The display room was set up beautifully. It was freshly painted. Usually pictures of the local artist are part of the decorations. Their maple syrup was delicious. You get samples of that as well...If you are flying, they have several sample size spirits and maple syrup that would be allowed on a plane. The maple syrup is even organic! I would recommend this as a stop when in the area.Also, the actual distillery is located close to Smuggler's Notch. Stay tuned, we plan to visit there are well. This location is just a satellite, but worth looking at. read more

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We had hoped to go in, but we were basically shooed away at the door. It was 5:40 when we approached, (I checked after the shooing), when a staff member came out to collect the outdoor sign. I asked if they were open she replied "until six, but come back tomorrow" and she then rattled off their hours for the rest of the week. We were passing through on a road trip so not possible. Guess they wanted to close early....ugh. read more

came in for my husband to get a tasting and walked out with a few bottles of vodka and syrup. The staff was attentive and informative about the products. But fun too... I'm pregnant so i couldn't partake but she gave me ashot of their non-alcholic maple syrup to feel like i was joining in... well I got 3 large bottles to go!! Of all the syrup inn Vermont this was hands down the smoothest and tastiest. Please buy!!!! Husband loved the organic vodka so much he got 2!! read more

Great little stop, $4 for a sample of 4 flavors, and a friendly knowledgeable woman serving it up at the register. Super clean store that is right next to a well appointed Cabot Cheese Shop. We took home maple syrup that's aged in their bourbon barrels, and the organic vodka, we tried the maple vodka and while tasty wasn't our style, they also had whiskey bourbon, gin, etc. read more

**** RECOMMEND **** My husband and I stopped in after cheesing it up at the Cabot store next door.  For $5, you get to sample a few (3-4) of their spirits, and end with a shot of maple syrup.  I've noticed, they like giving you shots of maple syrup after any type of tasting in Vermont!  I'm totally fine with that. We'd just spent $60 the previous day on maple syrup, so we passed on buying any of it, but it was delicious. Our tasting server was very nice, and when she learned I was from Chicago, she said "I Love Chicago!" so I give them 5 stars. ;)  There's a lot of other items to purchase there, but we were in a hurry to get to Massachusetts, so we didn't stick around and shop. Definitely stop in for a cheap tasting if you're passing by! read more

Single barrel bourbon 82 is so smooth! The maple cream liqueur is also very nice...great for coffee. Shop is a bit small with limited tasting areas. You may need to wait. Be patient - it's worth it! read more

I'm not much of a hard liquor drinker, but this was fun to taste their various offerings. Tried two types of gin, along with some whiskey and rum. But the most delicious item I tasted there was some maple syrup that had been aged in bourbon barrels. Sooo good! read more

Lots if offerings!! Not big drinkers but wanted to support local. Got a few sample packs to try at home. They offer tastings for $5/$10

I did an outdoor tasting due to COVID, and the wind definitely knocked over those little plastic cups we were using for the tastings! We tried eight different spirits; I liked the clear ones (vodka and gin) best. But really the best part is their bourbon barrel aged maple syrup! It is so good! We bought several bottles as gifts for friends. read more

Stopped in for the second year in a row and had a great experience both times! It is $4 for four 1/4 oz samples of their spirits. My boyfriend and I each got a tasting so we were able to taste all 8 spirits (plus a shot of maple syrup!). The rum in particular was very unique with almost a whiskey flavor to it! This time I left with their hopped gin. The bartender, Lori, was very friendly even though we got there close to closing and was very knowledgable about the products. Definitely recommend if you are passing through. read more

We stumbled in here after Cabot Cheese and did the four 1/4 ounce pours of their spirits for $4-5. One "flight" was their gins and vodkas and the second was their whiskys and rum. My favorite of the bunch was about to be discontinued (I think it was the Litigation). Hopefully they decide to bring it back sometime in the future. Be sure to hit up the free Cabot samples next door when you stop in! read more

Snuck away from the family while they were sampling cheese next door....and glad I did! Sampled some fantastic locally made whiskeys and bourbons....even got some to take back to the great state of Florida. The gentlemen working was very knowledgeable and interesting. He also suggested some local places to feed my craft beer need. Thanks for a great little escape! read more

This place makes great spirits. I am a fan of their whiskeys, the hopped gin, and the barrel aged rum. I haven't had the opportunity to try their vodka TBH. The tasting was very inexpensive, essentially $4 for a shot (4 tastings). Next door is the Cabot creamery so you can sober up in there. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly as well. I would love to see the distillery over by Burlington. read more

Friendly and helpful, great selection. The vodka is exceptionally smooth. The maple syrup was amazing. Bought some bourbon as well. A good experience. read more