Winter Park Distilling Company — Craft Spirits Born in Florida

A handmade 50-gallon still and a stack of old whiskey recipes.

The Winter Park Distilling Company was founded in 2010 by locals Paul Twyford and Andrew Asher. In a charming community just north of Orlando, they set out to build the region's premier craft distillery.

Every bottle of whiskey, rum and vodka they serve reaches the hands of friends and neighbors they run into every day, so for Andrew and Paul, making exceptional spirits is a matter of personal reputation and local pride.

Firsts, in order.

2010The Winter Park Distillery Company opens its doors, the very first craft distillery in the history of Orange County, Florida.

2013Bear Gully Classic Reserve Bourbon enters the market: Florida's very first bourbon whiskey.

2016Bear Gully Classic Reserve and Bonfire win the first medals for Florida in a nationwide bourbon competition.

2018Bear Gully Classic Reserve Bourbon takes silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Crafting without compromise.

We take pride in sourcing the finest local grains, so the flavor reflects the region. Each handcrafted batch is distilled and aged right here in Winter Park.

Artfully crafted

Choice local grains and molasses, carefully selected to create the perfect foundation for every mash.

Perfect balance

A twin-column reflux still with copper plates balances the flavor profile of each spirit with precision.

Distinctive aging

Oak barrels, Florida heat and humidity, and an extraordinary maturation process.

Inimitable character

After primary aging, some spirits take on additional maturation, acquiring a deep character with flavors like arabica coffee.

Bear Gully Classic. Dog Island. Genius.

Silver, Berlin 2016 · Bronze, ACSA 2016/17

Bear Gully Classic Reserve Bourbon

The very first craft bourbon made in Florida. A single-barrel bourbon from a rich local corn mash, aged in a naturally heated rickhouse to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bronze, ACSA 2016

Bear Gully Classic Bonfire Bourbon

A woody bourbon: unaged high-proof corn whiskey soaked in a bed of charred sugar maple, then aged in a new charred white oak barrel. Smoky undertones, traditional bourbon notes at the end.

Bear Gully Classic American Single Malt

Crafted from red ale and matured in charred bourbon casks, a fusion of American brewing heritage and bourbon-infused oak.

Dog Island Java Hound Rum

Aged bourbon casks intertwined with arabica coffee essence, for rich coffee and bourbon notes.

Dog Island Silver Rum

Named for a legendary little island in one of Winter Park's most fabled lakes. Local molasses brings floral hints and almond. Perfect in your favorite cocktail or over ice.

Genius Vodka

Real quality in vodka comes from aggressively cutting out natural impurities in every run of the still. Open a bottle at room temperature and smell how clean it is.

Bear Gully Classic New Make

A smooth and hearty corn whiskey with a sweet nose, perfect for any whiskey cocktail. Named for Bear Gully Lake in east Winter Park, a famous hangout for local kids.

Dog Island Bourbon Barrel Rum · Bronze, Berlin 2016

Born of a collaboration with local brewers: traditional silver rum aged in barrels first used for red ale and bourbon. Floral body, then coffee and chocolate notes.

The first award-winning bourbon in Florida.

Our bourbons set the standard, earning accolades from competitions around the country.

2018Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Bear Gully Classic Reserve Bourbon

2016Silver, Berlin: Bear Gully Classic Reserve Bourbon

2016Bronze, ACSA: Reserve and Bonfire

2016Bronze, Berlin: Dog Island Bourbon Barrel Rum

Where passion meets craftsmanship.