A True California Distillery
Where craftsmanship meets California agriculture.
117º West Spirits was founded on a simple idea:
California should have a whiskey and craft-spirit tradition all its own.
From our grain suppliers to our fermenters to the hand-built copper still at the center of our operation, everything we do is rooted in quality, authenticity, and an unshakeable commitment to 100% California ingredients.
We source local grain, support local farms, and distill every drop in-house at our Vista, CA distillery and speakeasy.
This is what True California Whiskey looks like.
This is 117º West Spirits.
Our Copper Heart – The Alexandria Still
Our Copper Heart – The Alexandria Still
At the center of the distillery sits Alexandria, our custom copper still built by the renowned craftsmen at American Craft Stills in Arkansas. Designed for flexibility, purity, and character-driven distillation, Alexandria allows us to create everything from bright, fruit-forward rum to high-rye California bourbon to rich, malt-forward single malts.
Alexandria is not an off-the-shelf still.
She’s the result of conversations, sketches, prototypes, and countless decisions about plates, reflux, and shape — all to create the exact style of spirit we wanted to bring into the world.
Copper is a natural purifier, removing sulfides and producing a softer, more nuanced spirit. Combined with our California grain and tight cuts, our new-make spirit begins its journey exceptionally clean, expressive, and full of potential.
100% California Ingredients – Our Promise
California isn’t just a location; it is part of the flavor of everything we produce. We proudly commit to:
100% California-grown grain and botanicals
Direct relationships with local farms and maltsters
Sustainable, region-focused distillation practices
Transparent sourcing and small-batch production
Supporting California agriculture with every bottle we sell
This isn’t marketing hype. It’s our operating philosophy.
Our whiskies, rums, gins, and brandy begin with the soil, the farmers, and the climate that make California one of the greatest agricultural regions in the world.
Innovation Rooted in Tradition
At 117º West Spirits, we honor the fundamentals of distillation while embracing California-inspired creativity. Our production philosophy includes:
Fermentation
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Barrel Aging
While our climate differs from Kentucky or Scotland, that’s the point. California’s coastal air, wild temperature swings, and maritime influence create a different aging profile — one that deepens flavor rapidly and offers caramel, fruit, and spice notes that define our profile.
Distillation
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Cross-Style Experimentation
Because we come from the world of craft beer and brewing science, our mashbills often feature unique malts like Vienna malt, German-style malt, and high-rye expressions that produce unexpected depth and grain-forward personality.
Visit the 117º West Spirits Distillery
There’s no better way to experience True California Whiskey than to see where it’s made.
