Don't forget mom! Celebrate Mother's Day at a whiskey distillery event this coming weekend. GETTY IMAGES IRINA QIWI
Mother’s Day falls this Sunday, May 14, so you're probably scrambling to find the perfect gift for Mom. You could always give her flowers, chocolates, more jewelry, or a bottle of a favorite whisky. But how about giving something different—like a distillery event? Check for events at distilleries close to home, or consider attending one of those listed here. Either way, it will be a memorable Mother’s Day.
Virginia Distillery Co.
Lovingston, Virginia
May 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Free of Charge
If you want to start the celebration a bit early, Virginia Distillery Co. will be hosting a special “Cocktails & Chocolate Celebration” on the day before Mother’s Day. The event spotlights American single malts, including whiskey-infused truffles, courtesy of Milène Jardine Chocolatier, and features special cocktails—made using expressions from the Courage & Conviction series. Locally grown flowers will be available for each guest, and food will be available for purchase.
Westward Whiskey
Portland, Oregon
May 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free of Charge
How about this one as a last-minute gift for Mom? Westward Whiskey will be hosting a gift market at its distillery and tasting room the day before Mother’s Day. Sip on an exclusive cocktail while perusing available-to-purchase items from some of Westward’s partners including Kaelsa coffee, art by Ella Baker, jewelry by Allison Encke, and cosmetics by Blendily. Westward is also offering complimentary bottle engravings to all guests in attendance, which will allow them to customize any bottles they purchase from the distillery—making for the perfect keepsake. Reservations are available at exploretock.com, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Driftless Glen Distillery
Baraboo, Wisconsin
May 14th 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
$43 per ticket
Start Mother’s Day off right by taking her—or the entire family, for that matter— to the Driftless Glen Mother’s Day brunch buffet. The menu will include classic brunch staples, with a seafood bar, egg scrambler station, carving station, a full dessert bar, and three specialty cocktails—including a Bourbon Peach Julep. Reservations can be made by phone at 608-356-4536. While there will be no tours scheduled on Mother’s Day, bottles will be available for purchase from the distillery.
Sagamore Spirit
Baltimore, Maryland
May 14th at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
$37.80 per ticket
Sagamore Spirit will offer a special guided tour of its facility on Mother’s Day. Following the tour, guests will gather in the tasting room to make brunch-themed cocktails. Tickets are available at sagamorespirit.com and include a welcome cocktail, lessons on how to make two cocktails, shopping discounts at the distillery, and desserts. There are two sessions, each lasting one hour.
Altered State Distillery
Erie, Pennsylvania
May 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free of Charge
Altered State will be hosting a special brunch and concert for Mother’s Day. Brunch kicks off at noon, with a full cocktail menu (including a dedicated station for Bloody Marys) and an omelet station. The music, courtesy of modern jazz/funk act ABTrio, will start at 1:00 and run through 4:00. Altered State’s full cocktail menu includes whiskey-focused classics such as Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Sazeracs.
Castle & Key Distillery
Frankfort, Kentucky
May 14th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
$90 per ticket (plus fees)
What mother doesn’t love flowers on her special day? Castle & Key will be offering a Floral Workshop. Sip on cocktails while learning how to design the perfect floral arrangements in a class led by Nicole Gilbride of Beholden Blooms. Bookings are available online at castleandkey.com. The distillery closes at 5:00 p.m., leaving guests with just enough time to purchase a bottle of their favorite whiskey after the event concludes.
Fiore Winery & Distillery
Pylesville, Maryland
May 14th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Free of Charge
Fiore Winery & Distillery’s annual Mother’s Day Picnic will be held at its vineyard. The 8-piece Tidewater Adams Band will be playing for the duration of the event, and food will be provided by Conrad’s Seafood food truck. Guests are discouraged from bringing their own food or coolers, and Fiore has a strict no-pet policy. Wine will be available for guests to drink throughout the event, with the option to purchase a whiskey tasting. Bottles of both the wine and whiskey will be available to purchase before, during, or after the event.
Mystic Farm & Distillery
Durham, North Carolina
May 14th 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$30 per ticket (plus fees)
Ditch the tired box of chocolates and take Mom to Mystic’s Chocolate & Bourbon Pairing class instead. The class offers various Mystic expressions paired with different types of chocolate for an experience that is both sweet and educational. Tickets are available at whatismystic.com. Guests are also welcomed to tastings of Heart of Mystic single barrel bourbon, bottled in bond bourbon, Oak Double Barrel bourbon, and Mystic's bourbon liqueur. After the event, bottles of all Mystic's expressions will be available for purchase.
Iron Smoke Distillery
Fairport, New York
May 14th from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Free of charge
If Mom’s into the magical and musical, take her to the Iron Smoke Distillery for the Mother’s Day Psychic Fair. This event offers an exclusive “Mom-osa” menu (featuring 12 cocktails inspired by the zodiac signs), along with tarot card readings, astrology, crystals, and candles. Live music will be provided by Nightfall Trio, who will perform songs from the ’60s through the ’80s. Whiskey samplings and bottles are available for purchase, and Iron Smoke’s Watering Room bar will also be open.
