Cutler's Artisan Spirits
Our Story
The Cutler legacy began with a simple belief: fine spirits bring people together. Four generations have proven that some traditions run too deep to die. Every copper still that fires today carries founder Duke Cutler's spirit, every bottle bears his son Bob's precision, every recipe reflects grandson Chuck's dedication, and every pour honors current owner Ian Cutler's courage to restart what could never truly end. In July 2013, Ian opened Santa Barbara's first legal craft distillery, following the same dedication to providing the finest possible spirits pioneered by his great-grandfather over 80 years earlier.
The Founders
The family's distilled spirits business traces back to 1915-1916 in Angel's Camp, CA, when Duke Cutler set out to open a bar for the town's gold miners. Duke served in WWI with the 28th Infantry Division (earning the title 'Men of Iron'), and after gold fever died out, moved to Oakdale, California, opening a Prohibition-era speakeasy that became Duke's Bar once Prohibition ended in 1933, followed by Cutler's Family Liquor Store in 1936 and The Bottle Shop in 1943. His son Bob Cutler, a B-17 bomber pilot in WWII, returned home and launched the Cutler's line of spirits alongside his father - the pilot's wings from Bob's service became a permanent part of the Cutler's logo. Chuck Cutler carried the business through the 1970s-80s, until California's changing fair-trade laws and a recession forced the family to close after 65 years. Nearly three decades later, in 2013, great-grandson Ian Cutler revived the family legacy in Santa Barbara, and opened Cutler's Distillery & Public House in 2025.
How We Make It
Handcrafted, small-batch spirits distilled in Santa Barbara, California.
Details
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Founded
- 2013
- Website
- cutlersartisan.com
Meet the Team
Ian Cutler
Owner
Great-grandson of founder Duke Cutler; revived the family's century-old distilling legacy in Santa Barbara in 2013 and opened Cutler's Distillery & Public House in 2025.
Our Spirits
6 expressions
Stagecoach American Whiskey
Grandma Tommie's Apple Pie
Cutler's Vodka
Cutler's Gin
Cold-Brew Coffee Liqueur
