Stark Spirits Craft Distillery - Pasadena, California

Charles Boltas

I can only classify this place as Pasadena's hidden gem! I travel for work every year and I like sure I stop by to speak with Greg and Karen. They are incredibly delightful people and are super passionate about making spirits. Have I mentioned that their spirits are absolutely delicious?

You can taste the passion and love that they put into each and every product. Their whiskey is so smooth and their prayed whiskey is to die for. I always buy a bottle (or four) while I'm there because I can't get this back in Texas. I make sure to hide their bottles and keep it all for myself. I don't share!

Do yourself a favor and stop by and take a tour. They will happily work with you and your group.

Allen Zhitomir

Greg and Karen have created something beautiful. The drinks were nothing short of incomparable. Stark is a very small (nano) distillery but the amount of care and hands on work put into the spirits they create is admirable. In our society of mass production and profit they are a beacon of light into what makes craftsmanship so valuable. The skyline gin and peated whiskey were something I will not forget. Karen herself is an absolute joy and absolutely chock full of knowledge. She gave us a full rundown of the distilling process and you can tell she truly enjoys spreading knowledge. Greg is a genius and he was even kind enough to show us AND allow us to taste some projects he was working on. The atmosphere was kind, warm and welcoming. I could not ask for a better experience. Go here and you will remember it and the wonderful
People who run it.

Carl Thompson

My daughter purchased a tasting tour of the distillery for me for my birthday. I must say I was unbelievably impressed. I am partial to whiskey's and bourbon's and Stark's does not disappoint, combine that with the rum's, gin's and my new favorite aquavit. You have a full spectrum brand. I am from Florida and had to borrow a suitcase from my daughter to carry my "souvenirs" home. I will definitely be back for more next time I'm on the west coast.

Kevin Tyrrell

Greg and Karen Stark are wonderful people. Their passion for spirits is inspiring. Full flavored spirits, that should be on your shelf. The California Single Malt Whiskey is fantastic. Thank you both for a wonderful tour. See you soon.

Alex K

Thorough explanation of their process and tour of their shop. Good tasting for their full like of whiskey, rum, gin and others.

Picked up a bottle of the aquavit (bold caraway) flavor that I found to be quite unique.

Susan Haigh

My husband and I enjoyed a “tour” of the Sparks distillery in early August. This was really fascinating and fun! I say “tour” because all talking and no walking, which is great. Because they make so many types of spirits, be prepared to hear a pretty lengthy story and explanation. If you aren’t really interested in spirits or distilling this may not be for you, but if you’re even remotely interested, go! Hearing the soup to nuts story about why and how they created the business and the products takes a while, but that’s what’s so interesting. How many small-batch distillers make multiple gins, rums and whiskeys plus aquavit and liqueurs? We bought several of their products.

Wayne Lin

Great value tour and tasting of a local husband & wife owned microdistillery in Pasadena. You're offered a tasting of their entire selection of 10 different spirits. Highlights include the "Sunshine" orange brandy, "Dragon Spirit" gin infused with Chinese 5 spice, and a surprisingly smooth 151 rum. Everything made by hand with love by a sweet and friendly couple.

Louis Salas

We had a very enjoyable time learning the history of Spirts along with how they’re made. Karen was a delightful hostess who not only entertained us but also provided us with a great deal of “new” knowledge regarding a subject I knew little about.