David Cohen has watched the number of licensed distilleries in Florida roughly triple since he opened Jacksonville-based Manifest Distilling in 2016, growing from about 30 to more nearly 100 today.
Cohen is the president of the Florida Craft Spirits Association, a group of 50-plus distillers supporting development of the industry statewide.
Their efforts include starting the Florida Distillery Trail, a promotion in which participants collect stamps from Florida distilleries on a special passport to receive prizes such as gift baskets and tasting glasses.
The trail includes five distilleries in Northeast Florida, stretching from Marlin and Barrel Distillery in Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine Distillery. Others are Manifest, Sailbird Distilling of St. Augustine and City Gate Spirits, also of St. Augustine.
Visit Jacksonville lists five Jacksonville distillers in addition to Manifest: Burlock and Barrel; Citrus Distillers; Four Fathers Distillery; Grey Matter Distillery; and Sounds of Spirit.
The state’s craft spirits business earned a boost in 2021 when Florida lawmakers approved legislation that eased Prohibition-era restrictions combating the state’s rum running and moonshining trade.
The law increased the production limit from 75,000 gallons to 250,000 gallons per year for craft distilleries while also lifting restrictions on the number of bottles that could be sold annually and allowing by-the-glass sales on-site in tasting rooms or at Florida fairs, trade shows, farmers markets and other events.
With restrictions loosened, Cohen says the market continues to expand. The Florida Craft Spirits Association’s membership rose 20% year-over-year in 2023, and more startups are coming.
“Based on the interest we get via email communication and the licenses popping up online, it appears that more craft distilleries are still joining the Florida market,” Cohen said.
“It’s a lengthy process to get open, so sometimes we hear from people 8-12 months before they are even open.”