Gin · South Carolina
Gin Distilleries in South Carolina
Tour 5 gin distilleries in South Carolina. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including Six & Twenty Distillery, High Wire Distilling Company, High Wire Distilling Co..
5distilleries
About gin distilleries in South Carolina
South Carolina's gin makers have quietly built one of the most characterful small-batch scenes in the American South, with a strong Lowcountry accent. The state's craft distilling revival took off in earnest in the 2010s, and gin has become a favourite playground for distillers keen to fold local ingredients into the glass. Charleston sits at the heart of it. High Wire Distilling Co., opened in 2013 as the first operating distillery in downtown Charleston since Prohibition, takes a culinary approach to its spirits and is known for using regional botanicals; Charleston Distilling Co. adds to the city's small-batch line-up with its own gin, vodka and whiskey. Beyond the Holy City, Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton brings a Lowcountry tradition rooted in locally sourced grains, while Six & Twenty Distillery flies the flag for the Upstate from the creative Village of West Greenville, distilling grain-to-glass with South Carolina-grown ingredients. Across these producers you'll find gin that ranges from classic and juniper-led to inventive and ingredient-driven, making the state a genuinely rewarding stop for anyone who loves a thoughtful, regionally grounded gin.
What makes Gin here special
South Carolina gin is defined by its sense of place and a culinary, ingredient-first mindset. High Wire Distilling Co. in Charleston is the standard-bearer, applying the founders' culinary training to small-batch spirits and reaching for distinctly Southern botanicals, including ingredients native to the region, in its gin. Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton roots its spirits in Lowcountry tradition and grains from nearby farms, while Six & Twenty Distillery in Greenville works grain-to-glass with South Carolina-grown ingredients, milling and fermenting on site. Charleston Distilling Co. rounds out the downtown scene with its own hand-crafted line-up. What ties them together is a commitment to local sourcing and creativity rather than scale, so the gins you taste here genuinely reflect their corner of the state, whether that's the coastal Lowcountry around Charleston and Bluffton or the Upstate around Greenville.
What to expect from a Gin tasting
A gin tasting in South Carolina is usually relaxed, hospitable and educational. At High Wire Distilling's Charleston home you can expect to taste the gin alongside the distillery's whiskeys and other spirits, with staff explaining the botanicals and the culinary thinking behind them. Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton offers a sizeable tasting room as part of a larger campus, so gin often features within a broader flight of bourbon, vodka and moonshine. Six & Twenty in Greenville pairs tastings with its grain-to-glass story, drawing out how local grain and botanicals shape the spirit. Expect to nose and sip the gin neat, learn what makes each recipe distinctive, and in many cases try it in a simple cocktail to see how it performs.
Planning your visit
South Carolina's gin makers split neatly between the coast and the Upstate, so plan around one or the other. Charleston is the obvious base: High Wire Distilling Co. and Charleston Distilling Co. sit within the city, making an easy pairing, with Burnt Church Distillery a manageable drive south towards Bluffton for those exploring the wider Lowcountry. For an Upstate trip, Six & Twenty Distillery in Greenville's Village of West Greenville is the destination, well suited to a day combining art, food and spirits. Check current opening hours and whether tastings or tours need booking before you travel, and as always arrange a designated driver if you plan to visit more than one producer in a day.
Frequently asked
- What is South Carolina gin known for?
- It's known for a culinary, ingredient-driven approach, with distillers folding regional and locally grown botanicals into small-batch gins. High Wire Distilling in Charleston is a leading example.
- Which distilleries make gin in South Carolina?
- Listed gin producers include High Wire Distilling Co. and Charleston Distilling Co. in Charleston, Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton, and Six & Twenty Distillery in Greenville.
- Where is the best place to base a gin trip?
- Charleston is the natural hub, home to High Wire and Charleston Distilling, with Burnt Church a short drive south. For the Upstate, base yourself in Greenville for Six & Twenty.
- Can I taste other spirits as well as gin?
- Yes. Most of these distilleries also make whiskey, bourbon, vodka or rum, so gin usually features within a broader tasting flight.
- What local ingredients turn up in South Carolina gin?
- Distillers favour Southern and locally grown botanicals; High Wire, for instance, is known for using regional ingredients native to the area in its small-batch spirits. Each producer has its own signature.
- Do I need to book a tasting?
- Booking ahead is recommended, especially at busier sites and for guided tours. Check each distillery's website for current hours and reservation policies.
- How far apart are the Charleston and Greenville distilleries?
- They're at opposite ends of the state, the Lowcountry coast versus the Upstate, roughly a few hours' drive apart, so it's best to focus on one region per trip rather than combining both in a day.