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What to do and see in Illinois, United States: The Best Distilleries
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Quincy Street Distillery, Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., Fox River Distilling Company, Chicago Distilling Company, North Shore Distillery, Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., Stumpy's Spirits Distillery, Rush Creek Distilling, Thornton Distilling Company & The Well, Mastermind Vodka.
Restaurants in Illinois
1. Quincy Street Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
A craft distillery producing hand-made artisan spirits in historic Riverside, Illinois.
Reviewed By TammyD596 - Aurora, United States
The owner gave a personal tour which includes history of spirit making and current techniques being used by this local distiller. Very Informative. The sampling of spirits created onsite is very diverse. Quiet little bar with great drinks! My husband and I visited on a Sunday afternoon tour/tasting. Enjoyed the Sunday adventure from way out west. Would like to attend the Christmas Holiday event they hold.
2. Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,936 reviews
Blaum Bros. Is a family owned and operated craft distillery in Galena, IL. Blaum Bros. Uses local grain from Jo Daviess County and produces handcrafted spirits including bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin...And many others. Blaum Bros. offers daily tours and tastings and has a gift shop and a craft cocktail bar. Located in Galena on Highway 20 on the East side of town. Come try one of our specialty cocktails!
Reviewed By trippytripster101 - Stoughton, United States
Great drinks from friendly bartenders, the tour by Dennis was informative and entertaining, and wonderful atmosphere. Highly recommend.
3. Fox River Distilling Company
4. Chicago Distilling Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Chicago Distilling Company is a family owned and operated Craft Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. We offer tours, tastings, cocktails and bottles for sale of each of our spirits hand crafted and aged on site. We are open Thursday - Saturday at 5pm and select Sundays.
Reviewed By Qlippoth - Chicago, United States
Got there early for a tour on Valentine's Day, tour was booked solid so the place was lively. Got two cocktails while chatting with the helpful and informative bartenders, both were excellent. Very focused on their amazing spirits and really showcasing what they are doing at Chicago Distilling Company! Had a draft cocktail just before the tour began, also great, a really neat idea born of marketing but wonderfully executed. Next the tour, Master Brewer Johnathon gave us all the information one could want on distilling in this amazing space and even though the tour was packed with folks he managed it well. Super informative and educational, I had an amazing time. Tastings during the tour sealed the deal for me on whether I'd be taking some of their wares home (3 bottles and I'll be back) and really highlighted the amazing products they are making. If you like gin, bourbon or rye then you'd be doing yourself a disservice walking past this place and not getting a drink. Straight up their rye may be the best I have ever had. In a cocktail it was alao wonderful (had it in the rye focused sazerac and it as a winner). A true gem of the city and the neighborhood, I look forward to returning some time soon and will make it a regular stop if I have guests or visitors even slightly interested in distilling!
5. North Shore Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
We are the original craft distillery in Illinois, established in 2004 by a creative husband and wife team with a deep passion for spirits and cocktails. We make incredibly delicious spirits by hand – spirits that are not possible on a mass production scale – with fresh, original flavors.
Reviewed By Fastsailor - Key West, United States
Tucked behind the Harley dealership is a hidden gem of the North Shore. Great craft cocktails in a relaxed setting. Enjoy the atmosphere for a very special drink, purchase bottles of spirits distilled on site or take a distillery tour.
6. Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 230 reviews
We are excited to announce that we are reopening to the public. We've been working hard to retrain our existing staff, bring on new team members, learn a new ordering system and create the safest space possible for you. Our reopening will include limited indoor seating in our new Visitors Center (50 people), limited indoor seating in our original Tasting Room (8 people, beginning May 14th) and seating for over 100 in our outdoor Whiskey Garden. Here's some of the other changes and requirements you can expect: All cocktails will be served table side. Please find a seat and someone will take your order. When indoors, please wear a mask when traveling to/from your table. We have a new cocktail menu featuring some great new drinks (including a Manhattan!) Don't worry, most of our classics are still on the menu as well. Our updated hours and tour schedule: Friday: 4:30 - 8:30 with a 6PM tour. Saturday: 1:30 - 8:30 with tours at 2, 4 and 6 PM. Sunday: 1:30 - 5:30 with a 2 PM tour.
Reviewed By Im_Roll_n - Winfield, United States
Jon was a amazing tour guide as part of the family running the business. Very polite staff and great cocktails. The tour includes a shot glass to take home and trying all 3 (bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka) spirits. It is a farm to spirit distiller and showed in the quality of their product. I have tried a wide variety of whiskey and many tours but this place and their product is probably the highest combination of both. They also have artisan small batch type spirits that come out occasionally as well. Bought all 3 bottles and their artisan. Let's not forget the tasting room is in the middle of fields and got to see a beautiful sunset while on the tour... other than the windmills in the view.. Love it and hope to be back soon.
7. Stumpy's Spirits Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By MikeS_62226 - Saint Louis, United States
I've been to my share of distillery/winery/brewhouse tours. The Stumpy's tour was a pleasure from the moment my group of eight walked in. The staff was genuine and friendly, the tasting/retail space was well organized and spotless. They have a great story to tell and they tell it enthusiastically. The young women that handled the tasting and facility tour did a truly exceptional job and were readily able to handle all off-script questions. Had a chance to meet Adam, the owner, and it's clear he cares about his business, it intimately involved and has a growth vision. This is not Woodford or Buffalo Trace or, certainly Jack. However, it's just as well run and the family/local/independent feel is apparent. This is local and easily accessible for me. It's worth a detour out of your way if it's not for you. I haven't even gotten to the bourbon, gin and vodka - all of which were well executed and delicious.
8. Rush Creek Distilling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By jeanrn2018 - Capron, United States
I can’t say enough about the people at Rush Creek. My husband and I have done the tour three times, bring new friends and family with us each time. Each guide did the tour a little different and with a new twist each time. We’ve seen a band and had cocktails with with friends...the owners are friendly and sociable, you feel like you’ve known everyone there forever. Awesome to have this in our own backyard!
9. Thornton Distilling Company & The Well
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
The Well is the bar, tasting room and event space for Thornton Distilling Company, located in Illinois' oldest standing brewery (1857). We specialize in single malt whiskey production and also make rye whiskey, rum, gin and vodka. Visit one Illinois' most storied buildings that was one of the largest bootlegging operations in the state throughout prohibition. Once operated by Al Capone and his crew, our building has a "colorful" history that we're happy to share with you. Tours available. Please visit our website (thorntondistilling.com) to learn more. We also offer a full service craft cocktail bar and a variety of craft beers from around the country. Our restaurant is now open and offers artisan flatbread, sandwiches, and assorted appetizers - all made in-house from scratch.
