Looking for a Bourbon Tasting Near Omaha? Cross the River. The best bourbon tasting near Omaha isn’t in Omaha.
You searched it. We get it. There aren’t a ton of options.
Omaha has a handful of distilleries, and they’re worth a visit. But if you’re looking for a tasting experience
that feels a little more curated, a little more personal, and a lot more like a destination than a happy hour
stop, the trip across the river is the right call.
Welcome to Judge Richard Distillery, a small-batch bourbon distillery in Carson, Iowa. Twenty-five
minutes from downtown Omaha. Two hundred years of family history behind the bottle.
What ‘Small-Batch’ Actually Means Here
The phrase gets used loosely. At Judge Richard, it’s the operating principle.
We are the first bourbon distillery in Pottawattamie County, and our production reflects what a small,
family-run operation makes possible. Every batch is poured with intention, not pulled off a faceless
production line. We distill bourbon, vodka, and gin on-site, and you can see the equipment from the tasting
room because we believe the process should be as much a part of the experience as the pour.
When you taste with us, you’re not sampling something flown in from somewhere else with a regional label
slapped on. You’re tasting spirits that were made in the building you’re standing in.
What a Tasting Looks Like
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A visit to Judge Richard isn’t a stand-at-a-bar-and-shoot-a-flight experience. It’s slower, more intentional,
and built around the idea that great bourbon should be enjoyed, not rushed.
Here’s what your visit can include:
• A walk through the distillery to see where and how the spirits are made
• A curated tasting flight of our small-batch bourbon, vodka, and gin
• Handcrafted seasonal cocktails designed by our in-house mixologist, including current favorites like
the Olde Town Fashioned, the Espresso Martini with JR Vodka, and the Clover Club with JR Gin
• Bottles available for purchase, so the experience can come home with you
You don’t need a reservation for a general tasting room visit. For private tastings, distillery tours, or larger
groups, we recommend reserving in advance.
Why ‘Near Omaha’ Doesn’t Mean ‘In Omaha’
If you’ve spent any time looking for a distillery near Omaha, you’ve noticed that most options sit inside the
city itself. Carson is a 25-minute drive across the Missouri River, and that small distance is part of the
appeal.
Here’s what it gets you:
• A real change of scenery. Carson is a small town with a lot of character. The drive out is part of the
unwind.
• Free parking and no city traffic. No circling blocks, no garage fees, no waiting for a rideshare.
• A tasting room that doesn’t feel like a stop on a downtown bar crawl. This is a destination, not a
place to kill time between dinner reservations.
• The option to stay the night. We have on-site accommodations that have earned recognition as the
2026 OMA Tourism Award winner for Best Hotel in Pottawattamie County. Turn the tasting into a
getaway by booking one of our hotel packages.
When to Visit
Our tasting room is open:
• Thursday: 4 PM – 8 PM
• Friday: 4 PM – 8 PM
• Saturday: 1 PM – 8 PM
• Sunday through Wednesday: Closed
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Want to bring a group outside those hours? Give us a call or send a text. We’re happy to open the doors for
private tastings, birthdays, corporate gatherings, and rehearsal dinners. Some of our favorite afternoons here
started with a ‘we have a group of ten, can you make it work?’ phone call.
Make It a Trip Worth Talking About
The bourbon brings you here. The experience is what people remember.
Some of the ways guests have built a trip around their tasting:
• Date night. A tasting followed by craft cocktails. Pair it with one of our Hotel Packages and you’ve
got an overnight getaway without the long drive.
• Group celebration. Birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, work team outings. Reserve the
space for an experience your group won’t forget by Monday.
• Out-of-town guests. When family or college friends visit Omaha, surprise them with something they
didn’t know existed. They’ll come back next time asking to return.
• The bourbon enthusiast’s day trip. Make Judge Richard one stop on a self-guided distillery tour of
the region.
Plan Your Tasting
The simplest way to start is to swing by during our open hours. The longer-form experience, with a distillery
tour and a curated tasting for two, is part of our Signature Package, which also includes an overnight stay
and a bottle of Judge Richard Bourbon to take home.
If you’ve been searching for a bourbon tasting near Omaha and nothing in the search results felt quite right,
we’d love to be the answer.
Find us at:
121 Broadway Street
Carson, Iowa 51525
402-651-6880
Sip. Stay. Experience something different.
Plan Your Tasting Room Visit →