When life gives you corn...make whiskey! And that's just what a growing crop of Illinois distillers is doing.
Whiskey Acres in DeKalb is leading the way, as an estate distillery and a bona fide tourist destination. Co-founder and CEO Jamie Walter says they're attracting about 2,000 visitors a month, during their short Friday through Sunday business hours. He says 25% of their visitors are local, 50% are from the Chicago area, and the rest travel more than 100 miles to get a tour and take home some small-batch whiskey.
Kennay Farms Distilling in Rochelle has a similar story: A farming family stretching back generations in northern Illinois found a way to diversify their business.
Share your favorite local producers of fine spirits with us at rocks@niu.edu. And check back soon for a map of distilleries so you can plan your next tour!
Thanks to Sam Naftzger for production help in this edition of Under Rocks. The show's produced at Northern Illinois University and is a service of Northern Public Radio.
