The 5 Best Craft Distilleries in Illinois: An Honest Guide for the Curious Traveler
Illinois has a deep history with distilled spirits. Before Prohibition, the state was known as the whiskey capital of the world, with more than 100 active distilleries. Today, a new generation of craft producers is reclaiming that tradition with creativity, quality, and plenty of character.
If you are planning a distillery tour in Illinois — or simply want to know which ones are truly worth your time — here is our honest guide, based on real visits, verified reviews, and one simple question: how well is the promise delivered here?
#1 — FEW Spirits | Evanston, Illinois 🌐 fewspirits.com
We begin with what we consider the best craft distillery in the state. FEW Spirits was founded in 2011 in Evanston — ironically, a city that remained dry until 1972 — and has since become a national reference point for the grain-to-glass movement.
What makes FEW special is its obsessive focus on the entire process: from grain selection to distillation and aging, everything happens on-site. Their whiskies have earned international recognition, and their gins are widely considered among the most creative in the country.
The visitor experience is intimate and educational. The space is small, allowing for personalized attention that is hard to find in larger distilleries. The guides know every product in depth — and it shows.
If you can visit only one distillery in Illinois, make it this one.
#2 — Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. | DeKalb, Illinois 🌐 whiskeyacres.com
Whiskey Acres is one of the few distilleries in the United States that grows all of its own grains. The owners have been farmers in DeKalb for decades, and at some point decided they wanted to control not only the field — but also what happens after harvest.
The result is an estate bourbon that smells and tastes like a place — like Illinois soil, real corn, and honest work. Their lineup includes straight bourbon, bottled-in-bond expressions, and a rye that has received consistent praise from industry critics.
The visit is especially recommended in summer and fall, when the fields are active and the tour includes walking through the crops before entering the distillery. There is family-friendly space, live music on weekends, and a cozy tasting room with a fireplace for the winter months.
A complete, authentic experience that is difficult to replicate.
#3 — Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. | Galena, Illinois 🌐 blaumbros.com
Galena is one of the most picturesque towns in the state, and Blaum Bros. is another reason to visit. Founded by two brothers with a passion for whiskey and history, this distillery has built a solid reputation thanks to the consistent quality of its products and a visitor experience that is genuinely fun.
Tours are led by guides like Gary, whom visitors repeatedly mention in reviews as the highlight of the experience. It is not just an explanation of the process — it is a lesson in history, chemistry, and whiskey culture that engages even those who have never paid much attention to spirits.
Their bourbons show remarkable maturity for a distillery of its size. The first sip has character. The second has depth. The tasting room is warm, the staff is welcoming, and the atmosphere of the town naturally turns the visit into a full afternoon outing.
#4 — Thornton Distilling Co. | Thornton, Illinois 🌐 thorntondistilling.com
Thornton is the oldest distillery in Illinois, with roots dating back to 1857 — and you can feel that history in every corner of the place. The building, the atmosphere, and the way the craft is discussed here carry a weight that newer distilleries have not yet had time to accumulate.
Tours include references to the site’s role during Prohibition — including connections to Chicago organized crime that make the experience genuinely entertaining. Tastings are generous and varied, featuring spirits that range from aged whiskeys to creative cocktails prepared by mixologists who clearly know their craft.
The food also deserves mention: their elevated pub menu is consistently well regarded, with dishes that pair well with the spirits without overshadowing them.
A visit that combines history, quality, and authentic Midwestern hospitality.
#5 — Black Band Distillery | Peoria, Illinois 🌐 blackband-distillery.com
Black Band deserves credit for being the first craft distillery in Peoria, a city with a distilling history worth rediscovering. The space itself is impressive — a century-old building in the historic warehouse district that alone justifies a photographic visit. Their certified organic spirits also show an interesting intention to differentiate themselves from the rest.
However, the overall experience is more uneven than the previous locations on this list.
The restaurant menu, while it has standout items like Cajun wings and the double smash burger, is relatively small, and prices are on the higher side for what is offered. Some reviews point to inconsistencies in service depending on who is working and when you visit. There are also comments about uncomfortable situations at the bar that were not handled appropriately by staff.
The distillery tours are informative, and the industrial space has genuine charm. But compared with the genuine warmth of Blaum Bros., the agricultural authenticity of Whiskey Acres, or the depth of FEW Spirits, Black Band can feel like a place still finding its identity — somewhere between a trendy restaurant and a serious craft distillery.
Worth visiting if you are in Peoria. Just do not arrive with very high expectations.
A final note
Illinois has a craft spirits scene that deserves more attention than it receives. Each of these places is doing something interesting in its own way, and visiting them is a genuine way to understand the history and culture of the state.
If you are accustomed to spirits from other traditions — such as artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca, where the process carries centuries of history and every bottle tells a story of land and time — you will find that the world of Illinois craft whiskey has its own personality.
It is not better or worse.
It is different.
And that difference is worth exploring.