The Artisanal Aguardiente Route: Nighttime Distilleries in Medellín That Few Know About

The rebirth of artisanal aguardiente in Medellín

A few years ago, ordering aguardiente in Medellín was synonymous with a plastic bottle from the corner store or a quick shot at the club. But something changed. Since the middle of the last decade, a handful of local entrepreneurs began to look at the national liquor with different eyes: they stopped seeing it as that party "guaro" and turned it into a craft distillate, with aromas, profiles, and processes that compete with any artisanal gin or whiskey in the world. And the best part is that these distilleries are not hidden in industrial zones; instead, they operate at night, in residential neighborhoods, rooftops, and even basements of El Centro, offering tastings that feel like secret rituals.

If you are one of those who think aguardiente is just anise and sugar, get ready to change your mind. In July 2026, this nighttime route of artisanal distilleries has become the favorite plan for locals who want to rediscover their own liquor, and for foreigners looking for something beyond beer and rum. Here I tell you about the five places you must visit, but I warn you: don't expect massive advertising or street signs. This moves by reservations and word of mouth.

The artisanal aguardiente route: 5 nighttime distilleries you must visit

1. Destilería La Caperuza – The basement in El Centro that tastes like tradition

On a pedestrian street in San Diego neighborhood, right behind Pasaje Junín, there is a metal door with no sign that leads down to a basement with exposed brick. There you will find La Caperuza, a micro-distillery that produces only 200 liters per month. Its owner, a chemical engineer who left his job at a multinational to dedicate himself to distilling, opens the doors on Thursdays and Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The tasting includes three varieties: the classic anise, one aged in Colombian oak barrels (which gives it an amber tone), and an experimental one with regional herbs like lemongrass and ginger. What surprises the most is that the aged aguardiente can be drunk neat, like a whiskey, and pairs perfectly with an artisanal chocolate from the shop next door.

Fun fact: La Caperuza uses a copper still bought in a town in Antioquia that dates back to 1920. The owner restored it piece by piece over two years.

• Address: Calle 52 # 43-10, basement 2. (Enter through the gray door next to the laundromat).
• Hours: Thursday and Friday, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Reference price (July 2026): $45,000 COP per person (tasting of 3 aguardientes + chocolate pairing).
• Reservation: Mandatory via Instagram @lacaperuzadestileria.

2. Destilería Alquimia – The rooftop in Envigado with a view of the Valley lights

Going up to the seventh floor of a residential building in the La Magnolia neighborhood of Envigado is not what you expect for a distillery, but Alquimia breaks all the molds. This rooftop has a terrace with a panoramic view of the Aburrá Valley, and there, every Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., a nighttime tasting takes place with live music (jazz or bossa nova, no reggaeton). Alquimia's specialty is aguardiente infused with tropical fruits: passion fruit, lulo, and gulupa. But the one that steals the show is the "Smoked Aguardiente," which is distilled with burnt oak chips and has a profile reminiscent of a smooth mezcal.

Fun fact: The founder of Alquimia learned the art of distillation in Oaxaca, Mexico, and combined traditional Mexican techniques with Colombian ingredients. That's why their aguardientes have a smoky touch not found anywhere else in Medellín.

• Address: Carrera 43A # 19-15, 7th floor, Envigado. (The building has no sign; you must ring the intercom for "Alquimia").
• Hours: Saturdays, 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• Reference price (July 2026): $60,000 COP per person (tasting of 4 aguardientes + welcome cocktail).
• Reservation: Via WhatsApp at the number on their Instagram @alquimiadestileria.

3. Destilería La 33 – The secret workshop in Laureles

In an old house in Laureles, on Carrera 33, there is a workshop that by day looks like a carpentry shop and by night transforms into a distillery open to the public. La 33 is the project of two friends who started distilling in a pressure cooker in 2019 and now produce 500 liters per month. What makes this place unique is that the tasting includes a live explanation of the distillation process: you can see how the sugarcane must becomes aguardiente while you have a drink. They offer two lines: the "Clásica" (smooth anise, 29% alcohol) and the "Montañera" (with aromatic herbs like pennyroyal and spearmint, 35% alcohol). The Montañera is perfect for a cocktail with lemon and soda, and they themselves prepare a version called "La 33 Sour" that is a must-try.

Fun fact: La 33 uses no added sugar or artificial colors. Its aguardiente is naturally sweetened with organic panela from a farmer in San Pedro de los Milagros.

• Address: Carrera 33 # 12-45, Laureles. (Look for the house with the green door and the wooden sign that says "Taller").
• Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Reference price (July 2026): $50,000 COP per person (tasting of 3 aguardientes + complimentary cocktail).
• Reservation: By calling or texting 300 123 4567 (they don't publish the number on social media, but you can get it by asking around at bars in the area).

4. Destilería El Tranvía – The hidden bar in Buenos Aires neighborhood

In the Buenos Aires neighborhood, right next to the tram station, there is a place that looks like an old-fashioned grocery store. But in the back, behind a bead curtain, you'll find El Tranvía, a distillery that also functions as a cocktail bar. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and their specialty is cocktails made with artisanal aguardiente. They produce their own base aguardiente (a neutral sugarcane distillate) and infuse it with ingredients like coffee from the Sierra Nevada, cacao from Urabá, and fresh mint. The star cocktail is the "Tranvía Old Fashioned," which substitutes whiskey for their aged aguardiente and includes a touch of bitter orange. It's a small place, with a capacity for 20 people, and the atmosphere is the kind where you end up chatting with the distiller while he prepares your drink.

Fun fact: The name "El Tranvía" is no coincidence: the place is 50 meters from the Buenos Aires station of the Medellín tram, and the decoration includes old photos of the tram system that operated in the city until 1951.

• Address: Calle 49 # 28-15, Buenos Aires. (Look for the grocery store "La Familiar" and go in).
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
• Reference price (July 2026): Cocktails from $22,000 COP. Aguardiente tasting (4 varieties) for $40,000 COP.
• Reservation: Recommended for groups of more than 4 people. Made via WhatsApp at 300 987 6543.

5. Destilería La Montaña – The laboratory in El Poblado that nobody knows

On a quiet street in El Poblado, far from the noise of the Zona Rosa, there is a house with a garden full of aromatic plants. There you will find La Montaña, a distillery that looks more like a chemistry lab than a liquor factory. They are open only on Fridays from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and each session is an educational experience: the owner, a certified liquor sommelier, explains the differences between aguardiente profiles based on the type of sugarcane, the altitude of the crop, and the aging time. The tasting includes five aguardientes: one white (unaged), one reposado (6 months in oak barrels), one añejo (12 months), one extra añejo (18 months), and one experimental with cacao and cinnamon. The extra añejo is so smooth it tastes like brandy, and many customers buy it by the bottle to take home (costs $120,000 COP).

Fun fact: La Montaña grows its own sugarcane on a farm at 1,800 meters above sea level in the municipality of San Jerónimo. The altitude gives the distillate a sweeter and less acidic profile.

• Address: Calle 10 # 38-45, El Poblado. (It has no sign; you have to look for the house with the white gate and the lavender garden).
• Hours: Friday, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Reference price (July 2026): $70,000 COP per person (tasting of 5 aguardientes + local cheese board).
• Reservation: Strictly via Google Forms (the link is posted on Wednesdays on their Instagram @lamontanadestileria).

How to get there and what to expect: hours, prices and pairings

Getting around these distilleries is not complicated, but it requires some planning. Most are open only from Wednesday to Saturday, during nighttime hours ranging from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. If you want to do a complete route, I recommend starting on Thursday at La Caperuza (El Centro), continuing on Friday at La Montaña (El Poblado), and finishing on Saturday at Alquimia (Envigado). La 33 and El Tranvía are perfect for weekdays.

As for prices, tastings range from $40,000 to $70,000 COP per person, which includes between 3 and 5 aguardientes plus some pairing (chocolate, cheeses, or a complimentary cocktail). Buying a bottle to take home costs between $80,000 and $120,000 COP, depending on the type and aging. These are reference prices for July 2026, and may vary.

A tip that few know: at all these distilleries, they offer pairings with local food. At La Caperuza, the aged aguardiente combines wonderfully with a piece of artisanal chocolate from the Luker brand. At La Montaña, the cheese board includes farm cheese from Don Matías and arepas de chócolo. And at El Tranvía, the "Tranvía Old Fashioned" can be accompanied by a platter of savory buñuelos prepared on-site. Always ask about the pairing of the day, because many have options that are not on the menu.

Conclusion or final recommendation

If you are one of those who think you already know everything Medellín offers at night, this artisanal aguardiente route will prove you wrong. These five places not only produce a high-quality liquor, but they also tell stories: the story of the engineer who left his office for a still

Numbered list (minimum 5 items with mini-review)

1. La Casa del Aguardiente

   A distillery that honors