Local Distilleries near the Smiley, Texas 78159 Area (4)

Edelbrand or “noble brandy” is a premium European fruit brandy created by following strict standards. Master distiller Alexandra Cantwell and husband KC are the founders of AFT Distillery, the only edelbrand producer in Texas. The usual fruit brandies produced today use fermented fruit juice. Edelbrands, meanwhile, require using only whole fruit without the additional sugars, flavors, or additives. This Alpine process, an 800-year old tradition, defines the category of edelbrands. The distillery released its first Alpengold apple, Williams pear, and cherry edelbrands in February 2018. This was after the couple spent four years quietly perfecting the craft to produce them. Despite many bumps in the road, the distillery’s quest to produce traditional artisanal brandies recently won it five of 18 medals in the brandy category of the 2019 American Craft Spirit Awards.

Husband and wife Trey and Kimberly Azar founded Azar Distilling. Azar Distilling started with Cinco Vodka in 2009 but the couple took a circuitous route to establishing the distillery. Trey Azar was in the oil and gas business when he decided to go back to his roots in liquor. His grandparents were the first Coors distributor in Texas, and he was a wine salesman and buyer in a former lifetime. Kimberly, meanwhile, worked in the cosmetics industry. While on a business trip, Trey realized there’s a niche for a premium American vodka. Trademarking the brand Cinco Five Star after the number of kids he and Kimberly have, the couple were soon on their way to producing their award-winning vodka. The vodka takes five times longer to make, results in a vodka five times better tasting, but without the cost. Cinco Vodka is now part of Azar Family Brands. The Azars expanded their product line to include Seersucker Gins in 2016.

They do not have an online presence as of this writing since their website domain will be coming soon. Cinco Vodka's vodka has already won several awards from "international spirits competition". This vodka is "clean and smooth" and "it neglects the harsh, overly alcoholic characteristics present in many vodkas, even many in its price range". It is a “martini lovers vodka”. You can check out their social media page when you want to get some updates about their vodka.

Seersucker Distillery "is a gem only found right outside San Antonio" with "great space indoors and outdoors". It is a "bit of a drive but once you’re there you want to come back immediately". Seersucker Distillery produced "some of the best cocktails" that are "tasty, refreshing and satisfying on a hot summer day". An "excellent venue to relax and appreciate a craft", their "gin is very underrepresented in the land of margaritas" but they still "thrives due to its distinctly southern honey and mint notes". When you visit, you should "order the flight because it comes with all three gin flavors" and "both vodkas".