Tropical Distillery opened its doors in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District in 2014, founded by Venezuelan-born entrepreneur Carlos Benítez who traded a career in international finance for the dream of creating premium Caribbean-style spirits in Florida. Located in a converted warehouse at 2141 NW 10th Avenue, this 5,000-square-foot facility sits right in the heart of one of Miami’s most creative neighborhoods, where colorful murals and craft distilling blend seamlessly together. The distillery focuses primarily on rum production, drawing inspiration from Benítez’s South American heritage while incorporating modern American craft techniques. Benítez’s journey to distilling started during frequent business trips to the Caribbean, where he became fascinated by traditional rum-making methods passed down through generations. After years of studying fermentation and distillation techniques, he partnered with master distiller Maria Santos, who brings over 20 years of experience from distilleries across Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Together, they’ve built a operation that honors Caribbean traditions while embracing Miami’s multicultural spirit. The facility houses two custom copper pot stills imported from Portugal, along with American oak barrels for aging their flagship rums. Visitors step into a space that feels more like an art gallery than a typical distillery, with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and large windows that flood the production area with natural light. The atmosphere reflects Wynwood’s artistic vibe while maintaining the industrial functionality needed for serious spirit production. Tours take you through their fermentation room where they use locally sourced molasses and pure Florida spring water, then into the distillation area where you can see the copper stills in action. The attached tasting room doubles as a cocktail bar in the evenings, serving craft cocktails made exclusively with their house-made spirits.