Treaty Oak Distilling is doing some noteworthy things, especially with Waterloo Gin, their gin brand, and I’m excited to share all it!
Disclosure: Treaty Oak Distilling invited me to their ranch for a tour and to try their drinks and food, all complimentary to me. All opinions in this post are my own.
There comes a time when you finally stop and consider what you’re eating and drinking. We all have that cocktail we started with to get the job done. Then, we grow up and it becomes less about sustenance and how it makes you feel and more about how it tastes and how it was created. For me, I found a love for gin and its botanicals.
Treaty Oak Distilling created a line of gins that stand out from the rest, and I was lucky to visit their ranch to learn more. Keep reading to hear all about my visit!
Waterloo Gin
Let me first introduce you to Waterloo Gin, Treaty Oak’s gin brand. They currently have three distinct gins that will be the stars of your bar cart. What sets them apart are the unique flavors and the quality. The distillery focuses on using local ingredients to create their spirits, from Texas limestone filtered water to the sourced botanicals.
The signature gin, Waterloo No.9, has proved its brilliance, winning awards in various gin competitions. The botanicals of lavender, juniper, coriander, anise, ginger, pecan, orange, lemon, and grapefruit zest will surely enhance a martini or gin and tonic.
The longest-aged gin on the market, Waterloo Antique Gin has the power to turn whiskey and bourbon lovers into gin drinkers. Barreling the gin in American White Oak barrels gives it the rich color and depth in flavor. Try the Antique Gin in the gin spin of a Manhattan – the Martinez.
The game-changer for me was the Waterloo Old Yaupon. It’s a unique take on an Old Tom Gin, featuring botanicals like Yaupon Holly, Juniper, Kaffir Lime and Anise, which are back-sweetened with Wildflower Honey. The result is a gin with tea notes, giving cocktails like a Tom Collins or Bee’s Knees, a subtle twist.
Treaty Oak Distilling – Distilling Gin and Whiskey
Not new to the industry, Treaty Oak Distilling was founded in 2006 has been doing some soul-searching to re-do their branding. The end product is beautiful and a true representation of what they believe in and produce. In working with a marketing company, they’ve adopted elements that help tell their story better and convey their focus on innovation and quality of ingredients.
Hanzoku is a Japanese word translated to rebel or resistance to convention, and you’ll see it on their bottles. It embodies Treaty Oak’s desire to pay tribute to the traditions of distilling but also bring new ideas to their products. This is best represented by the unique tastes of their products but is followed through by the shape of their bottle and the design on the glass. I love the simple yet powerful strike of color that makes the bottles elegant yet fun.
If you are familiar with the brand, they also produced rum, vodka, and beer, but they’ve dialed back their production to focus on their gin and whiskey. Maybe one day they’ll be added back into the mix, but for now, Treaty Oak is on the way to win over gin and whiskey drinkers across the country through their partnership with Mahalo Spirits Group.
If you prefer whiskey, be sure to check out their whiskey line that includes Red Handed Bourbon Whiskey (sourced bourbons re-barreled), Red Handed Rye Whiskey (sourced bourbons re-barreled and aged 10 years), and Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon Whiskey (grain to glass local whiskey aged four years).
The Cocktail Lab
One of the reasons we were invited to visit the ranch was to experience The Cocktail Lab, the distillery’s new speakeasy lounge. This reservation and first-come, first-served private space will hold about 40 guests and feature a craft cocktail and food pairing menu. What I love is this lounge will focus on science, the art of cocktails, and creativity. It’s perfect for adventurous foodies who want to explore new flavors. I can see The Cocktail Lab as a fun activity for a celebration, like booking the space for a birthday. Keep an eye out – this space will be opening very soon and you don’t want to miss these cocktails.
Touring the Treaty Oak Distilling Ranch
This sprawling 28-acre ranch in Dripping Springs is nothing like Austin in terms of space. There’s plenty of it plus free parking. But the contagious energy of entrepreneurship, the pride in its culinary endeavors, and the ideals of perfecting a craft are also things that vibrate through Austin.
When you visit, you’ll need to grab a drink in the Rickhouse Bar, where the cocktails are simply delicious. Here you’ll also find plenty of shaded seating.
Next door is the tasting area where you can sample the gin and whiskey. Peek inside the distillery where the action happens! Next to the distillery is the barrel building, where gin and whiskey are cocooning towards its final transformation.
They’re making some changes to the ranch in the next few months, including remodeling the tasting room and restaurant, so look forward to a beautiful new presentation soon. If you’re doing a spirits tour in the Hill Country, this should definitely be a stop!
Ghost Hill Restaurant
Last but not least, there’s food! Focused on Texas-inspired cuisine, Ghost Hill Restaurant is led by Chef Chris Andrews and the menu is full of barbecue! All the favorite meats are available – brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, sausage – plus, we were lucky to try the new beef belly sandwich that is coming to the menu. It was the best thing I ate there! Also, check out the daily specials since they are always testing new recipes.
You’ve probably had sweeter quick bread like banana bread, but I could eat this dill quick bread every day!
On the sweet side, the Rosemary Cake with bourbon fig chutney and brown butter whipped cream was a delightful ending.
Another feature I’m impressed by is the commitment to sustainability. They currently use compostable and biodegradable products, among other practices. One day, they hope to produce much of their ingredients on the land and support regenerative agriculture.
Conclusion
It’s clear to see there are a lot of exciting things happening at Treaty Oak Distilling. Soon it will be exciting to see people outside of Texas embrace our secret. If you’re in Texas and haven’t tried Treaty Oak’s products, check your local liquor store!
Location: 16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Hours: Thursday and Friday 4-9pm, Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-6pm
Tours: Saturdays, 1-6pm at the top of the hour; 45-minute tours for $15 per person
Treaty Oak Distilling Website | Waterloo Gin Website | Instagram | Facebook
I’m curious – what’s your go-to cocktail?
P.S. While you’re out there, maybe you should visit Hamilton Pool.
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