Simplicity Spirits Co. sits in an industrial section of Salt Lake City, founded by Jason Barrett in 2014 with a straightforward mission: make clean, quality spirits without unnecessary complexity. Barrett, who previously worked in the tech industry, got into distilling after years of home brewing and a fascination with the science behind fermentation and distillation. The operation runs out of a 6,000-square-foot warehouse space that houses their custom-built hybrid pot and column still, along with tasting rooms and production areas they’ve built out themselves over the years.
Barrett’s approach centers on using high-quality ingredients and precise distillation techniques rather than flashy marketing or elaborate aging processes. They focus primarily on vodka and gin production, with their vodka going through a seven-stage distillation process using locally-sourced wheat. The gin follows a vapor-basket method that infuses botanicals during distillation rather than steeping them afterward. What started as a one-man operation has grown into a small team, though Barrett remains hands-on with every batch and personally manages most tours and tastings.
Visitors get an up-close look at their production process in a space that feels more like a working lab than a polished tourist destination. You’ll see the mash tanks, the still in action, and Barrett’s meticulous quality control setup. The tasting room has a clean, modern feel with concrete floors and industrial lighting, but it’s warm enough for conversation. They’ve built a solid local following among cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate the technical precision behind spirits that taste exactly like what they’re supposed to be.