Driftless Glen Distillery

I’m a little behind in writing this review, but Driftless Glen Distillery, and Michael, our server, deserve a 10-​star rating.
Tucked away in a sleepy WI town next to a river is the perfect location for this Distillery/​restaurant/​bar. While on a business trip, one of my coworkers said we had to go to Driftless Glen to buy some S’mores Flavored Rivershine, which she drizzles on ice cream (she’s a true WI woman!).
Everything about our dining and shopping experience was perfect. It was Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2016, but they were still playing Mardi Gras music. That was okay by me, because we heard a lot of Louis and I even heard music from Disney’s ‘Princess and the Frog’. But I digress.
The mushroom soup was rich, but so flavorful. I had the Jambalaya, carrying on with the music theme, and the flavors were mind-​blowing. Instead of dessert, which all looked tasty, we ordered a sampler flight, consisting of this S’mores Flavored Rivershine, Lacy Lemon Vodka and something with some kick-​butt proof. All of them were tasty.
Let me spend some time talking about Michael, our server. What a personable guy! He gave us a history of the place, food and drink recommendations, the music that was playing, heck. We even talked about the non-​existent Über in Baraboo! (Which, by the way, is a huge opportunity. We were staying in Wisconsin Dells, which is only 10 minutes away. Über drivers can make a killing driving resort guests to and from the Distillery. I’m just saying.) We were there in between lunch and dinner around 2:07 PM, so staffing was light, but then the place wasn’t crowded either. While there were staff available, Michael was pretty much a one-​man show in the front part of the business.
Aside from the dining room and bar, Driftless Glen Distillery also has a gift shop not only filled with apparel and spirits you can buy, but olive oils and balsamics. Now this was my kind of shop! Michael helped me with sampling and even combining oils and balsamics for new flavors.
I knew for sure I was getting the Toasted Sesame Oil. I know this sounds gross, but I could have just drank the oil from the bottle. (I know.) But the flavor was so intense. I can’t wait to try it in all sorts of Asian dishes. The other flavor I knew I had to get was the Baklouti Green Chili Pepper oil. Quoting from their website, «This oil comes from the Barbary Coast of North Africa and is the only example of this fruity and spicy green chili olive oil in the world.» I love spicy food, and they aren’t kidding. It can be spicy for some. Not for me!
Thankfully I’ll be back in the area in April. It will give me some time to decide what to bring home next time. I know for sure that Lemon Vodka is making its way back to MN. I think the Wild Mushroom and Sage Olive Oil will as well.
Thanks for the GREAT service, Michael!!!

The tour of the establishment was short and sweet but the passion of the tour guide made it well worth the experience. The tastings themselves were wonderful and the olive oils and balsamic vinegars were a lovely added bonus! We stayed for dinner after the tour and tasting and were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the staff were all extremely friendly. I will go back anytime I am in the area for sure! Jake, Scottie and Ashley thank you for an amazing time!

Wonderful restaurant, one of th best in the area. Excellent cocktails and a wonderful Pot Roast.

Wonderful food and fabulous martinis! You will love the décor, the bar is amazing and the outdoor seating is great in the warm weather.

Not sure why this place gets such high marks. Only reason why this is not one star in my book is that the location is great. Baraboo area could def use more fine dining options so I really wanted this place to be good, but its menu is pretty inconsistent with brand promise. A lot of seafood (how can that be local to Baraboo, except maybe the walleye). It is also very expensive (and the food quality def does not justify the price).

If I’m gonna pay 75 $w/​tip for lunch I better be full when I leave. 2 drinks 2 burgers and a desert for 75 $. The food was good but I could go other places in town that are just as good and pay half the price. And be stuffed when I leave.

First timer! Loved the food, atmosphere and the service was outstanding! My only suggestion serve wine :)

Outstanding cocktails and they make the best Brandy old fashioned ever made. Guest service is friendly, food served with a smile and wait staff is knowledgeable on the menu. Stop by for a cocktail, appetizer or dinner. Promise you won’t be disappointed.

Drove up to hike around the park and see the fall colors. Of course that makes for hungry thirsty people and we stumbled into the Driftless Glen Distillery. Although it was late near closing time and half the menu was sold out the four of us had a great meal of leftovers! We sat outside with an initial elephant aroma that we either got used to or the wind shifted. In any case the focus turned to the presentation and flavor of the food. Pass on the moonshine flight because your palate recovery time is pretty long. But we had a few of the specialty house distilled cocktails and each of us sipped and shared. The food made it hard to share a bite because we wanted to enjoy it by ourselves. Next year We may just pitch our tent on the grounds when the house bourbon will be ready to try.

Went on a cloudy Saturday afternoon around 3pm with my girlfriend. Very nice building and outdoor area. Bar was fairly busy… Dining area wasn’t too busy. Service was good… Friendly and helpful staff. We don’t eat burgers very often, but we both had the bourbon bbq burger… Super tasty. Like holy sh1t tasty… Smokey flavors and bbq sauce. Also had a tasty gin based cocktail and porter beer. We’re looking forward to the next time we make it back.

Poor service. Beautiful interior décor and nice menu however didn’t get an opportunity to taste the food because the service was lacking. Called the manager the next day and the only apologized; I wouldn’t leave they have too much business.
I have a sophisticated palate and eat in many fine dining restaurants, it’s too bad this place is dead to me.

Super delicious. We both had two rounds each. Drinks were great. Everything in them is made fresh by them and it shows. Spirits were awesome. Girlfriend has the chicken and rib combo and was thoroughly impressed. I had the steak with spinach and polenta. Delicious. Well worth it.

Came in for lunch on a Sunday. Have heard a lot of good things from others who have eaten here.
Had very fast and friendly service. Started with a Brambles cocktail. Perfect on the hot sunny day we had. For entrée I had the duck and Brie panini. Very good. Nice balance f duck with the sweetness of jam and the tart apples and Brie. Voice of sides and I was happy they had fresh fruit as an option.
We sat out in the patio which was really nice. They’ve done a good job incorporating the river into the patio and the décor is more upscale than what the area tends to have
This is a nice addition to the Baraboo area both in terms of food quality and ambiance. It is more upscale but dressing appropriately isn’t necessary.
Would come here again definitely.

4 of us took in a Saturday afternoon tour of Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac (highly recommended way to spend a couple of hours on a nice day) and then drove up Route 12 to Baraboo for dinner at Driftless Glen Distillery.
The Driftless Glen has very nice location, on the river in Baraboo. We opted to eat inside as the skies were questionable and the hostess said only 2 of the outdoor tables, on the riverside patio, have complete cover. Otherwise, I think the patio next to the Baraboo River would be a great dining location.
The dining room has a contemporary atmosphere. It has a very nice bar on one wall, and a tasting room at one end. It was very nice, without being over the top.
Our waitress was very good, she had very good knowledge of the menu (food and drinks) and she was attentive without being a pest.
We all had a cocktail made with their own spirits. A Driftless Tea, 2 Old Gin Ups and a Dirty Martini. They were all excellent — really good.
As we had spent the afternoon snacking and tasting wine, we passed on the appetizers.
I had the Flat Iron Steak with mushroom sauce, cooked spinach and mashed potatoes. It was very good. I ordered it rare and it was. in retrospect, I think a flat iron steak should be med rare. My mistake.
My wife had the pork tenderloin. The meat was really tender, an excellent cut. However, we both thought it was over seasoned (with thyme or rosemary).
One friend had the Salmon which she really liked. The other had the roast duck, which he thought was OK.
Overall, we all agreed we would would go back. My sense is that the place is still relatively new and they have some room to dial in the menu and make it a top notch place.

Fabulous food and atmosphere! The drink menu is amazing. Beautiful quiet atmosphere on the river. Definitely worth the short drive from Wisconsin Dells.
No wait on a Thursday night. Very attentive wait staff.

We stopped in here and had a tremendous dining experience — sitting on their deck overlooking the river, the drinks were awesome and the food totally worth it

We stopped in during a recent camping trip in Devil’s Lake. Loved the atmosphere, and the bartender was super friendly and helpful. I had the Vodka flight — the Lemon Lacey is great — tastes like a lemon drop in a glass. Husband had the Gin and Brandy flight — and the gin was extremely smooth. Didn’t do the tour — but they offer it every hour on the hour for $ 10. I’ll definitely be back to go on it. They’ve only been open a few months, so only a few of their spirits were available for purchase. The price point for purchase was a bit high for me, but it’s still definitely worth a visit.
The 608 (lemon vodka, lemonade, blueberries) was one of the best drinks I’ve had in a long time, very refreshing after a hot summer day. We also tried the Wild Mushroom Brushetta at the bar and it was delicious.

They’ve been open for a month now. Beautiful spot on the Baraboo River. This will be nice spot in the summer to sit on their deck and grab a drink and some apps.
We went for Mother’s Day brunch. I like their brunch menu… reminds me of how the Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee does brunch. Brunch is $ 20, small plates concept with a menu of several different breakfast items. You can choose one of everything if you want. I would recommend ordering 2 items at a time. I started with the bacon and asparagus Benedict and side of sliced beef (The beef was only for Mother’s Day). The asparagus and poached egg were cooked perfectly, not overdone. They use neuske’s bacon. The beef had great flavor. My 2^nd round I tried the seafood frittata and the Wildberry crêpe. Delicious! They have a great drink menu and this being brunch, I had to have a Bloody Mary. You can choose from their regular vodka, lemon or cucumber. Tried the cucumber vodka for my bloody and really hit the spot. Great and attentive service also.
Nice to see a more upscale dining experience in Baraboo.

Tour was fun! Katie was great and informative. The tastings were delicious with the vodka being surprisingly smooth. Coupled with the oil and vinegar tastings, the overall tasting experience was wonderful. After the tasting, Mike came out and asked us what we thought which I found to be very respectable and honorable. An owner that goes out of his way to see how his product is doing, now that’s a business that will produce quality product!
We got a cocktail which were delicious. I so wish the food offerings weren’t so fancy and offered something simpler for the times you just need a snack. However, the server did offer cheesy bread as an option which wasn’t on the menu and it was perfect.
I cannot wait until the bourbon becomes available!

We were there on opening day. The service was extremely slow, but friendly. The food was delicious. We both had the salmon burger, which was wonderfully seasoned and tasted like salmon without tasting like «fish». The Asian slaw side was flavorful and crsip and the homemade pickle was a nice touch.
They don’t have a kids’ menu or coloring sheets so the wait was challenging, but they were willing to make pretty much anything for my son and he chowed down on his grilled cheese and salad.