Let’s Go To Treaty Oak Distilling! A Distillery Review

Austin has no shortage of breweries, and they’re typically a great time. I’ve done a number of tours, sampled some tasty brews, and met some wonderful people. But while the beer game is strong, it seems like distilleries are a bit more sparse. At least, I don’t go to as many as I do breweries. But that might need to change after a visit to Treaty Oak Distilling, which was just a ra-GIN good time. (You see, they produce Waterloo Gin, so I took that and put it into another word that already has “gin” in it. I’m a riot.)

Though Treaty Oak Distilling is pretty well known for its whiskey, I stopped by its Cocktail Lab earlier this month to sample a trio of gins. Let’s take a gander at each!

Treaty Oak Distlling Bartender's Choice — The more colorful your drink is, the more delicious. I think that’s science.

Playing Some Gintendo 64

I’ll be honest – I’m just seeing how many gin puns I can slip into this post. But more importantly, all three of the gins I sampled were delightful:

Waterloo No. 9: Just like “Love Potion No. 9,” the ninth iteration scores a huge hit. This was the first gin ever introduced in Texas and received a “Gin Masters Award” from London. And, after visiting London earlier this year, I can confirm they know their gin.
Waterloo Antique Gin: This one looks more like whiskey than gin, with its dark color. It’s the longest-aged gin out there and is barreled onsite in American White Oak barrels. Then it ages in the Texas sun, which, as you know, is HOT. Perfect for aging.
Waterloo Old Yaupon: This may be my favorite of the bunch. It’s a twist on the classic Old Tom Gin, with botanicals like Yaupon Holly, Juniper, Kaffir Lime, and Anise. The whole shebang is back-sweetened with Wildflower Honey, which makes this is a terrific gin for cocktails. But really, I could drink it on its own. And that’s the mark of a fantastic beverage.

A Super Ginteresting Location

Treaty Oak Distilling is in Dripping Springs, just a little southwest of Austin proper. The trip down there isn’t bad at all (though to be fair, I’m a south Austinite – maybe if you’re in Round Rock it’s a little more difficult), and once you arrive, it is STUNNING. There are big oak trees throughout the location, which are just gorgeous to take in. The Cocktail Lab, barrelling area, and the Ghost Hill restaurant all offer a charming modern, yet mildly rustic aesthetic.

The restaurant in particular also has some amazing artwork. I witnessed everything from a Notorious B.I.G. king portrait to a Rancid poster, then immediately got their jam “Roots Radical” stuck in my head. Check it out below, you punk rockers.

Ghost Hill has a number of refreshing cocktails and also some of the best eats I’ve had in Texas. The Blackberry Smash was probably my favorite of the cocktails – it’s the perfect level of sweetness – and you really can’t go wrong with any of the BBQ options on the menu. Smoked brisket, pulled pork shoulder…it’s all good. There’s ample seating within the restaurant, but there are also tables outdoor if you want to create a lil’ picnic experience. If you come in the evening, you can watch the sunset over Hill Country. That’s a magical sight to behold.

Treaty Oak Distilling Food — Tasty bites for daysssss.

Other Gintelligent Treaty Oak Distilling Notes

Sustainability is a huge part of the Treaty Oak Distilling operation. They’re currently finalizing an irrigation system that will allow them to recycle 100 percent of their water. They already go green in most of what they do and are really focused on conservation. That’s awesome to see, particularly with how wasteful the food and beverage industry tends to be on the whole.

And I need to call this out: every single person I interacted with loves what they do. They’re passionate as all getup, which is hard to find. They all believe in the mission of Treaty Oak, and they’re doing their part to make it a wonderful experience for their customers. That alone is worth the price of admission. Doesn’t hurt that the drinks and food are delicious, too.

I can’t recommend Treaty Oak Distilling enough. Whether you’re just passing through for a quick bite to eat or want to sample all the gin, whiskey, and rum, you’ll have a wonderful time.