Pssst—your next Instagram-worthy escape is hiding less than a mile from your Panama City Beach RV hookup. Step past Yacht Club Rum’s unmarked side gate and you’re suddenly in a whisper-quiet jungle of sugarcane, star anise, and sun-warmed citrus—plants you’ll taste minutes later in the tasting room’s flight of small-batch rums.
Why keep reading?
• Because this garden tour is invitation-only, and we’ve got the inside track.
• Because the stroll is cane- and stroller-friendly, yet still feels like forbidden territory.
• Because you can sip, snap photos, and be back for sunset volleyball—or your 3 p.m. Zoom call.
Ready to swap overcrowded beach bars for a botanical treasure hunt that ends in a perfectly spiced rum? Dive in—every tip ahead turns a simple tasting into a story worth toasting.
Key Takeaways
• What: Small-group garden walk and rum tasting at Yacht Club Rum
• Where: 1.2 miles from Panama City Beach RV Resort (5-min drive or 8-min bike)
• Length: About 70–80 minutes total (25-min garden, 35-min tasting)
• When: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; coolest slots at 10 a.m. or 4 p.m.
• Size: Max 14 guests per tour; book online, ideally 48 hours ahead
• Cost: $18 adults, $10 designated drivers, $5 kids with soda
• Access: Paved, wheelchair- and stroller-friendly paths; air-conditioned tasting room
• Transport: Leave big RV; car, $7 rideshare, or bike rack on site
• Extras: Daily 20-min still demo; 45-min mixology class Fri–Sat at 2 p.m. (10 spots)
• Seasons: Spring citrus week and late-summer cane harvest offer special bottles & events
• Pro tips: Bring water, hat, small cooler for bottles, and plan a sober ride back.
Quick Sip Summary ⏱️
If you’re skimming between paddleboard rentals and lunch plans, here’s the gist. Yacht Club Rum sits 1.2 miles—about a five-minute drive or eight-minute bike—from Panama City Beach RV Resort. Tours run Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the sweetest spot either before the midday heat (10–11 a.m.) or during the golden 4 p.m. lull.
Expect roughly 70–80 minutes door to door, splitting into a 25-minute garden wander and a 35-minute tasting flight. Tickets ring in at $18 per adult, $10 for designated drivers, and $5 for kids sipping soda. Two wheelchair-friendly alcoves, paved pathways, and a climate-controlled tasting room keep snowbirds cool while summer humidity simmers outside.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Tasting
Most distilleries rush thirty strangers past stainless-steel tanks. Here, groups max out at fourteen, so you actually hear the cane-slice crunch and still have time to frame that photo under the citrus tunnel. Fresh leaves and sugarcane chips pass hand to hand, tying garden aromas directly to the rums you’ll sample minutes later.
Every Instagramable detail feels curated: a brass ship’s bell signals tour time, a vintage barrel swing invites goofy Boomerangs, and a living archway of tangelo trees acts as a natural ring light. The distillery purposely hides street signage, so even peak-season afternoons feel like a private club you lucked into—and can’t wait to brag about back at the resort. For many guests, that secretive vibe makes the day feel like one of those “locals-only” adventures you’d normally hear about long after your vacation ends.
Getting There from Panama City Beach RV Resort
Class-A rigs stay parked—Thomas Drive pinches tight near the distillery, and the lot favors smaller vehicles. Most visitors drive the tow-vehicle, snag a seven-dollar Uber or Lyft, or coast over on beach cruisers when humidity plays nice. Cell reception is solid for ride-share apps, and bike racks stand ready by the front gate, so the transition from pedals to pours is seamless.
Arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to nab the free curb spots that rim the tasting room. Overflow municipal parking waits two blocks north, yet swift planners rarely need it. Pack a small insulated tote if you plan to buy bottles; Gulf-coast sun will warm rum faster than you can say “daiquiri.”
The Garden Walk: Plant-by-Plant Storytelling
Sugarcane Row greets you first, stalks taller than your weekend-warrior friend’s selfie stick. A guide demonstrates a ceremonial slice—no guest machetes, but you can feel the fresh-cut cane and inhale pure molasses aroma. Late-August visitors might score a taste of “Fresh-Press,” a juice-forward limited release that disappears almost as soon as it’s bottled.
The shady Spice Nook follows, where cinnamon curls, allspice berries, and star anise pods explain the bakery notes in the spiced rum. A wooden bench lets snowbirds rest while everyone else copies infusion ratios from the plaques. Soon, a tunnel of Key limes and tangelos offers a natural spot for selfies, and Sustainability Corner showcases drip-line irrigation plus composted stillage—proof your drink funds greener agriculture.
Inside the Nautical Tasting Room
Sliding barn doors reveal a cool 72-degree haven of weathered wood, porthole windows, and the soft hum of ceiling fans. Barrel-top tables invite mingling, yet cushioned stools with back support await anyone who prefers to sit. Mention mobility needs when booking and staff will reserve a cane-friendly spot near the bar.
Flights arrive in stemmed glasses—three 0.75-ounce pours tracing the garden’s flavors. The white rum leads with grassy notes straight from Sugarcane Row. The spiced rum follows, warmed by freshly ground allspice and cinnamon harvested yards away, and the citrus expression closes the arc with bright tangelo zest—a liquid echo of the tunnel you just walked through.
Add-On Experiences Worth Your Time
Mid-afternoon sparks a 20-minute live distillation demo where copper stills hiss softly and the head distiller fields questions while cameras click. Remote-work travelers appreciate that hot-spotting holds three bars inside the stillhouse, so you can upload reels without breaking your workday. Guests who love geeky details can even smell the foreshots versus the hearts as glass beakers collect each portion.
Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m., a 45-minute Garden-to-Glass mixology class puts freshly clipped herbs into motion. With only ten seats, it feels like a private bartending lesson; reserve early if you’re prone to FOMO. You’ll muddle lemongrass into simple syrup, learn to shake without a blender—campground quiet hours approved—and leave with a recipe card that folds into your carry-on.
Timing Your Visit for Max Flavor & Comfort
Morning tours reward early birds with cooler temps, softer lighting, and shorter selfie lines. Photographers love the way sun slants through citrus leaves at 10 a.m., creating a green-gold glow that filters require zero tweaking. Early start times also give you first dibs on limited-release bottles before day-trippers empty the shelves.
Seasonal festivals amplify the fun. Spring Citrus Week debuts a zest-packed bottle you can only buy on-site, while late-summer sugarcane harvest brings live music and complimentary bottle engravings. Summer afternoons flirt with 90 °F, so pack breathable fabric, a refillable water bottle, and that wide-brim hat if you can’t resist a midday slot.
Bringing the Experience Back to Your Campsite
Once back at the RV, stash bottles upright in a cool cupboard—heat creeping from slide-out kitchens can flatten spice aromas fast. A compact cocktail kit fits inside a plastic tackle box; trade blender noise for a hand-shaker to respect quiet hours. A mini ice pack tucked beside your purchase can act as insurance against the blistering Gulf sun.
Leftover mint or lemongrass from the tour slides effortlessly into syrups or evening mojitos, reinforcing the terroir you just explored. Rinse empties before sliding them into the campground’s glass-only bin so ants don’t join the after-party. When the bottle finally runs dry, the label makes a fun memento for your travel journal.
The garden-to-glass magic at Yacht Club Rum is only half the story—the other half is having a home base close enough to rinse your tasting glasses, kick off your sandals, and still stroll to the sugar-white shoreline. Panama City Beach RV Resort is that sweet spot: full hookups, a heated pool for post-tour cooldowns, and a clubhouse where you can share your newly scored citrus bottle with fellow travelers. Lock in your site now, and let every future toast start with, “Remember that secret garden we biked to from the resort?” Reserve your coastal escape today and we’ll save you a seat by the firepit for the first round of stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How exclusive is the garden tour and do I really need to reserve in advance?
A: Yes—groups top out at fourteen people and the distillery releases only a handful of time slots per day, so booking online at least 48 hours ahead is the only way to guarantee entry, especially on weekends or during harvest festivals.
Q: Can I safely catch an Uber or Lyft back to Panama City Beach RV Resort after the tasting?
A: Absolutely; ride-share coverage around Thomas Drive is strong, the fare averages seven dollars each way, and drivers can usually reach the curb in under five minutes, so you can sip worry-free and get back to your rig for sunset.
Q: Is the garden path comfortable for wheelchairs, canes, or strollers, and are there spots to sit?
A: The entire route is paved with a 32-inch clearance, includes two shaded alcoves with benches, and ends inside a climate-controlled tasting room with back-supported stools, making it easy for guests who prefer a slower pace or need mobility aids.
Q: How long does the experience take, and can I squeeze it between beach volleyball or Zoom calls?
A: Plan on about 70–80 minutes total—roughly 25 in the garden and 35 in the tasting room—so you can slot a morning or late-afternoon tour between other adventures without derailing your schedule.
Q: What does the $18 ticket cover, and are there discounts for locals, designated drivers, or snowbird clubs?
A: The standard ticket includes the guided garden walk plus a three-pour flight; Florida residents get 10 % off Monday–Thursday, designated drivers pay just $10 for the tour aromas minus the alcohol, and groups of eight or more wintering guests can email the distillery for a custom rate.
Q: Are kids allowed or is this strictly 21+?
A: Families are welcome—children can join the garden portion for $5, receive a tropical soda in the tasting room, and must stay with an adult while the over-21 crowd samples rum.
Q: Will I get memorable photos and is mobile photography encouraged?
A: Phones and cameras are not only allowed but celebrated; the citrus tunnel, barrel swing, and brass ship’s bell are purposely staged for Instagram moments, and staff happily pause the tour so you can capture the perfect shot.
Q: Does Yacht Club Rum have Wi-Fi or strong cell service for remote workers?
A: Cell reception sits at three to four bars for all major carriers and the stillhouse Wi-Fi is open to guests, so you can upload reels, check email, or even jump on a quick video call if duty calls.
Q: How do the botanicals we see in the garden influence the rum we taste?
A: Every plant—sugarcane, star anise, cinnamon, tangelo, and more—is harvested on-site and infused or distilled into specific releases, so the aromas you brush past in the garden show up as direct flavor notes in the flight poured minutes later.
Q: Is the garden managed sustainably and without heavy pesticides?
A: Yes—the beds rely on drip-line irrigation, composted stillage from the distillery, and organic pest controls, aligning with the distillery’s goal of keeping the garden fully edible and eco-friendly.
Q: Can we just walk in if we have a spur-of-the-moment group larger than fourteen?
A: Walk-ins are occasionally accepted on quiet weekday mornings, but larger parties should split into consecutive slots or email for a private buy-out because the fire code limits each tour to fourteen guests, no exceptions.
Q: Is food served on site, and should I eat beforehand?
A: The venue focuses on spirits, not meals, so it’s smart to grab a light bite before arrival; nearby cafés on Thomas Drive make a quick pre-tour sandwich run easy, leaving your palate sharp for tasting.
Q: Can I purchase bottles afterward and how should I transport them back to the RV resort?
A: Limited-release bottles are available in the gift shop; pack them upright in a small insulated tote or padded backpack to protect the glass and keep Gulf-coast heat from dulling the flavors during the short ride home.