Gin · Pennsylvania
Gin Distilleries in Pennsylvania
Tour 6 gin distilleries in Pennsylvania. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including Mason Dixon Distillery, Boardroom Spirits, Philadelphia Distilling.
6distilleries
Eight Oaks Farm Distillery
Veteran-owned farm distillery growing its own grain
About gin distilleries in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's gin makers bring a refreshing range to a state more associated with brown spirits. Where the whiskey scene leans on heritage, the gin here is often where distillers get experimental, playing with botanicals, local citrus and unusual base spirits. Philadelphia Distilling, the first craft distillery to open in Pennsylvania since before Prohibition, helped put the state on the map with its Bluecoat American Dry Gin, a softer, citrus-forward take on the London dry tradition. Across the state you'll find a spread of approaches: Boardroom Spirits in Lansdale leans on European distilling craft and additive-free, real-ingredient production; Wigle Whiskey and Stoll & Wolfe distil gin alongside their rye and bourbon; and Eight Oaks Farm Distillery folds gin into its farm-based portfolio. Mason Dixon Distillery in Gettysburg rounds out a geographically varied scene. Because gin is so botanical-driven, tastings here tend to be sensory and conversational, with distillers happy to talk through the juniper, citrus and spice in each recipe. For visitors, gin offers a lighter, more aromatic counterpoint to a Pennsylvania whiskey trip, and a window into each producer's creativity.
What makes Gin here special
Gin in Pennsylvania reflects the same craft, small-batch spirit that drives the state's whiskey, but with more room to experiment. Philadelphia Distilling's flagship Bluecoat is a defining example of the softer, rounder American dry style, built on organic botanicals and American-grown citrus with a gentler juniper presence than traditional London dry gins; the distillery has also released variations such as an elderflower gin. Boardroom Spirits, founded in Lansdale, takes a real-ingredients approach with no artificial flavours, distilling on imported Hungarian copper stills. Whiskey-first producers like Wigle Whiskey and Stoll & Wolfe bring a distiller's precision to their gins, while Eight Oaks Farm Distillery ties its botanical spirit to its working-farm identity. The common thread is intent: these are considered, hand-crafted gins rather than commodity bottlings, and each carries a recognisable signature shaped by its maker's botanical choices.
What to expect from a Gin tasting
A gin tasting in Pennsylvania is an aromatic affair. At places like Philadelphia Distilling or Boardroom Spirits you'll often start by nosing the spirit neat to pick out the juniper, citrus and spice, before tasting it and sometimes comparing it in a simple cocktail such as a gin and tonic. Distillers tend to explain their botanical bill and how it shapes the flavour, which makes these sessions especially good for understanding how gin is built. Several producers offer flights alongside their whiskeys, so you can move between styles in one visit, and many have full cocktail bars where the gins shine. Expect a relaxed, conversational atmosphere, and don't be shy about asking which botanicals to look for.
Planning your visit
Pennsylvania's gin makers are spread from Philadelphia out to Pittsburgh, so cluster your visits by region. In and around Philadelphia, Philadelphia Distilling and Boardroom Spirits in nearby Lansdale make an easy pairing along the Greater Philadelphia spirits trail. Stoll & Wolfe in Lancaster County suits a Dutch Country day, while Wigle Whiskey anchors a Pittsburgh trip and Mason Dixon Distillery fits a Gettysburg outing. Check current opening hours and whether tastings or tours need booking, particularly at smaller sites. As ever, arrange a designated driver if you're moving between distilleries, and leave room in your bag for a bottle, since gin's portability makes it an easy souvenir.
Frequently asked
- What style of gin does Pennsylvania make?
- Many Pennsylvania distillers favour a softer, citrus-forward American dry style rather than a sharply juniper-led London dry. Philadelphia Distilling's Bluecoat is a well-known example, though each producer has its own botanical signature.
- Which distilleries make gin in Pennsylvania?
- Listed gin producers include Philadelphia Distilling, Boardroom Spirits in Lansdale, Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, Stoll & Wolfe Distillery, Wigle Whiskey and Mason Dixon Distillery.
- Can I taste gin and whiskey at the same distillery?
- Yes. Several producers such as Wigle Whiskey, Stoll & Wolfe and Eight Oaks make both, so you can compare gin against their rye and bourbon in a single visit.
- What should I look for in a gin tasting?
- Focus first on the aroma, then taste for the balance of juniper, citrus and spice. Ask the distiller about the botanical bill, since that's what gives each gin its character.
- Are the gin distilleries close together?
- They range across the state, from Philadelphia and Lansdale in the east to Pittsburgh in the west, so it's best to plan around one area rather than touring them all at once.
- Do I need to book a gin tasting?
- Booking ahead is recommended at busier and smaller distilleries. Check each website for current hours and whether tours or flights require reservations.
- Are Pennsylvania gins made with natural ingredients?
- Many emphasise real, often local ingredients. Boardroom Spirits, for instance, is known for using real ingredients with no artificial flavours, and several producers use organic or locally grown botanicals.