In a fitting tribute to a state known to be difficult to drink in, Distillery 36 was named by owners and operators Jensen Dobbs and Creed Law to celebrate Utah’s deciding vote as the 36th state to repeal Prohibition.

In 2016, the long-time friends raised a glass and launched Distillery 36’s flagship product — 100% cane Brigham Rum. They followed it with the Spiced Brigham Rum which has become the most popular bottle in their distribution featuring notes of nutmeg, citrus, vanilla, clove and cinnamon. 

Distillery 36 also produces a private-label SRILArt Vodka. The spirit is a collaboration with local artist SRIL and as Dobbs explains, “The private label is just a ton of fun. We got to do some fun packaging with it. We dress it up. So it looks like a spray paint can.”

All of Distillery 36’s spirits start with evaporated cane juice (basically sugar in the raw) that’s put in a fermenter and has yeast added to nutrient it before being transferred to the hand-crafted stills.​

While most of Distillery 36’s products are sold directly through the DABC, Dobbs, like many other local distillery owners, would like to see more attention given to local spirits. “I would put more emphasis on the local spirit brands and getting them in a better position to compete with the national and international brands that they also carry.” 

Thank you to Jacob Rueda for interviewing Waterpocket Distillery, Sugar House Distillery, Dented Brick Distillery, and Distillery 36.  

Distillery 36 is located at 2374 S Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT, 801-983-7303 

Open Fridays from 11am to 6pm and Saturdays from noon to 5pm