Boutique Distillery Debuts Tasting Room & Bottle Shop

The latest addition to San Diego's craft distillery landscape is Swinford Spirits; founded by Jason Swinford, who ran the popular food truck Eat at Recess before switching gears to spirits, the new 2,900-square-foot distillery, tasting room and bottle stop just launched in the redeveloping Mission Gorge area.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., Swinford Spirits is currently distilling and bottling three products — Lumberjack Lily Whiskey, an easy-drinking three-year-aged Canadian whiskey which has notes of fresh ginger, maple, and toasted quinoa, Foxlore Gin, distilled from 100% organic wheat and more citrus-forward than traditional gin, and Lingo Vodka, a six-times distilled, 100% organic vodka that comes in a reusable BPA-free durable Tritan bottle that is the market's first all-in-one vodka infuser. It holds an infuser basket, which you can drop in fruit, herbs or spices into to create your own flavored spirits, or use one of Swinford's pre-packaged flavor pods. Swinford said the distillery is planning to add rum to its lineup, plus small barrel, limited edition spirits created for local bars and the tasting room.

The tasting room can pour one and a half ounces of spirits per guest, which can come in the form of a straight shot of any spirit, a flight of three half-ounce tastes, or a full-sized cocktail from their seasonal menu.

A grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, December 10 from noon to 7 p.m., with discounted cocktails and a free lunch from 1 to 3 p.m. provided by Pizza Pazza food truck with the purchase of a cocktail or bottle.