For the first time in history, spirits have surpassed beer sales. In 2022, 42.1 percent of all alcohol sales came from liquor, while brewing accounted for 41.9 percent, according to the U.S. Distilled Spirits Council. While Oklahoma is relatively new to the spirits scene, here’s a glance at some of the distilleries competing for market share within state lines.
Woodworks Distilling Co.
912 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City
The state’s newest distillery, Woodworks have their sights set on the classy, clean style of liquor with a refined aesthetic that nods toward the industry’s olden days.
The in-house offerings already available include a uniquely flavorful four-grain vodka and two variations on gin, with a classical London Dry and a citrusy “Western” style, not to mention their upcoming specially designed flavored liqueurs made with persimmon or spiced walnut.
For whiskey fans, Woodworks is aiming for the bold, spicy, dry crowd with their Preface series bourbon and rye, meant to openly spotlight their sourcing from Indiana giant MGP and their trademark leather and seasoned oak flavors.
Territory Distilling
1408 S. Fern St., Stillwater
Another recent addition to the state’s distilling roster, Stillwater’s Territory Distilling is all about thinking outside the traditionalist boxes.
Territory’s current claims to liquor fame are Aunt Bill’s Pecan Candy Liqueur, based on a 100 year-old candy recipe from the earliest days of Oklahoma, and the Prairie Smoke, a creatively distilled blend of barley, molasses, and blue corn that’s been heavily smoked by Stillwater’s Bad Brad’s BBQ.
Red Fork Distillery
3310 Southwest Blvd., Tulsa
Launched in 2015, Tulsa’s Red Fork actually boasts the title of Oklahoma’s first post-prohibition distillery.
With an always locally-minded identity, Red Fork’s impressive lineup features the Botanical Vodka, utilizing flavors selected with the Tulsa Botanic Garden; the War Dance, a creamy, sweet cinnamon moonshine; and The Heist, a blended whiskey named in honor of a legendary train robbery gone awry.
Hochatown Distilling Co.
41 N. Lukfata Trail, Hochatown
Another veteran operation on the scene since 2015, Hochatown Distilling has focused on straightforward, no nonsense spirits, and are currently aiming to be the leaders for true, Oklahoma-distilled small batch bourbon.
With enough years under their belts to finally bottle some well-aged in-house distillate, Hochatown aren’t just boasting their fine 90-proof offering, but also the state’s first-ever legitimate bottled-in-bond bourbon.
Adhering to strict government quality control laws in place since the late 1800s, “bottled-in-bond” means no younger than four years, no less than 100 proof, and nothing short of delicious.
With a true made-in-Oklahoma bottled-in-bond bourbon making its way onto shelves right now, some might say that our state has finally joined the ranks of the real whiskey producers.
Rock Creek Distillery
1742 S. Main St., Shattuck
The proud new owners of Oklahoma’s largest still, the brand new 1600-gallon monster will be cooking up Rock Creek’s crystal clear, all-wheat Schultz Vodka and their full line of Dead Parrot rums when it goes into operation this year.
With a clean, simple white rum and cocktail-perfect flavors like coconut, pineapple, and dark vanilla bean, you can expect to see the Dead Parrot line popping up on backbars all over the state.
WanderFolk Spirits
124 E. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie
What more can be said about WanderFolk?
With the Same Old Moses Bourbon and Rye, Garden Club Gins and Vodka, and the longstanding, recently updated Prairie Wolf line, WanderFolk has been dominating the Oklahoma distilling game since coming through the surprisingly lucrative hand sanitizer-producing days of 2020.
They’ll be adding their own brand new, 500-gallon still very soon, not only massively increasing their production, but allowing them to start branching out and experimenting to their creativity’s content, including plans for a rich, scotch-style single malt.
