Designer distilleries are enjoying a boom across the US on the back of growing demand for exclusive and expensive drinks.

Small-scale operations making high-quality whiskey, gin, vodka and other spirits are taking off.

Boutique booze - officially called artisanal spirits - is a big trend in the bar business. Just as the market for craft beers and fine wines boomed during the past 20 years, the audience has similarly grown for small-scale alcohol that is high quality and often higher priced.

"Why is this better? Because it's not produced for 10 million people; it's produced for 5,000 people," said Bill Owens of the American Distilling Institute.

He estimates the number of small distilleries at just over 200, and growing by about 20 to 30 a year. They have sprouted up in more than three dozen states in recent years, with Oregon, California, Colorado, Michigan and New York the main players.

The rise to gourmet status of spirits taps into the trend of eating and drinking artisanal foods and beverages from small, local producers. It is also being driven by "mixologists", a growing class of high-profile bartenders who craft trendy drinks with speciality alcohol.

But demand alone does not explain the growth. The repeal of Prohibition-era laws in many states helped spur the rush.

In an effort to promote local distilleries, many states recently have legalised spirit tastings at manufacturing facilities and shops.

Among the big players in this little field are Anchor Distilling in San Francisco, a branch of the Anchor Brewing Company, as well as Hanger One in Alameda, California, and Iowa's Templeton Rye.