Malahat Spirits — Attraction in San Diego

Not to be confused with Maleagant from Arthurian legends or Magic hat the beloved Vermontb rewery, Malahat named for the rum running schooner that transported spirits off our coast long ago. It’s got more than just history in it’s name, it’s got history in it’s décor with artifacts from the Star of India hidden throughout. The tasting room, designed to feel cave (Point Loma Rum runners) like using natural skylight really feels secret with the tall barrel towers surrounding the tasting area & stills.

Tony Grillo, one of the owners gave our tour giving insight and history along with details to their operation. The private event room has art on the tops of barrels that are a nice highlight to the actual aging barrels surrounding you. I felt like the large long table was a secret meeting room. I love the décor of the entrance despite being as expected in the middle of an industrial park.

Large stills are the focal point, but it’s hard to not notice the surrounding barrels. The long countertop adds a real authenticity to the whole operation. The friendly owners and décor lend credibility to the craft. But the real treasure, the real booty, is the rum itself. Thought they are doing spirits, currently they only offer rum in 3 varieties. When they say hand and small batch they mean hand and small batch. From the bottles to the label to the production beginning to end. They are exact in their proportions and vision for each spirit wining Gold last year at the SF Spirits Competition.

Their standard rum is really more the standard others strive for, all hearts, proprietary combination of multiple molasses types and yeast combinations give a great canvas for cocktails. Not at all the bland vodka-esqueness of the big boys wash. Smoother than Tony, Tonee, Toni.

Spiced rum smells like spiced rum should taste, but feels bourbon. Tastes like something more along the lines of a scotch in that it almost tastes too rich in flavor to mix and is a meant for sipping. It mixes great and adds depth to simple drinks and body to complex cocktails. A dash of nutmeg works great for winter drinks pairing with the natural cinnamon afterthought.

Ginger Rum though lower in ABV. The natural, fresh ginger is apparent from the beginning and lingers, but not in a strong sort of hot/heat way. Think more ale thane beer, more goslings than Bundaberg. I like using all 3 in a zombie. They peel the ginger fresh in house.

A great addition to San Diegos growing craft distilleries giving bartenders and San Diego’s a whole new world to play with. You already are seeing local only cocktails from the spirits to herbals/botanicals, but with more places doing more I foresee San Diego’s cocktail scene being...

I recently experienced the Malahat Spirits distillery tour, and it was nothing short of captivating. The speakeasy ambiance upon entry sets the tone for an intriguing adventure. Navigating through a maze of doors and curtains adds an element of mystery, making the journey to the tasting room quite exciting.

The highlight for me was the rum flight, which proved to be a delightful exploration of nuanced flavors. Notably, the rums weren't overly sweet, catering perfectly to my preference for a more balanced and nuanced palate. The attention to detail in crafting these spirits was evident, showcasing the distillery's commitment to quality.

To complement the tasting, we indulged in cocktails that were expertly crafted and well-balanced. Each sip was a symphony of flavors, demonstrating the mixologists' skill in creating harmonious blends. The overall experience at Malahat Spirits was a sensory delight, combining a captivating atmosphere, exceptional rum offerings, and masterfully crafted cocktails. Highly recommended for those seeking a unique and memorable...

A great hidden gem to explore an up and coming distillery. Went with a group of 9 and reserved the back "room" (it was free to reserve) which was a long wooden table surrounded by casks and barrels with plenty of room to sit and chat with the series of flights and cocktails we ordered. We greatly enjoyed learning a bit about each small batch rum, gin and whiskey, and tried every spirit we could. Very pleasantly surprised by the gins which were both unique (one was flavored with Thai basil/khaffir Lime which was really cool!). We got cocktails both on and off the menu, Dwane was helpful to make sure we got exactly what we wanted based on the flavors we asked for. The prices were really reasonable ($15 for a 5 spirit flight!) And we ended up taking home a few bottles ($35 to $40 for rum and gin). No food served here but they allow you to bring snacks if you want. Also note as a distillery they only can serve what they distill on site for alcohol. Would go back and...