The Best Whiskey Distilleries Near Chicago

Chicago is one of the best drinking cities in the country and one of the best for whiskey. We also happen to be surrounded by farms growing grain, so naturally there are dozens of whiskey distilleries near Chicago. These craft distilleries make bourbon, rye, single malt, and more.

Here are the best whiskey distilleries near Chicago, perfect for a day trip. All are within a few hours’ drive from the city, but remember you’ll be drinking during these tours so it’s best to find a designated driver.

The Best Whiskey Distilleries Near Chicago

Whiskey distilleries IN Chicago

Let’s just get this out of the way right off the bat. Yes, there are several distilleries right here in Chicago. Koval, FEW, and CH Distillery instantly come to mind. While these city-centric whiskey producers offer tours of their distilleries, they are small facilities where you’re better off visiting the tasting rooms for a drink instead. (In fact, FEW no longer offers tours.)

We’re here to focus on whiskey distilleries around Chicago that can be visited in a day trip. Lucky for us, Chicago is surrounded by several fantastic distilleries — and easy access to several different states. (As someone who grew up in Utah, this blows my mind!)

Whiskey Acres in Dekalb, Illinois

1.5 hour drive from Chicago

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. is a farm-to-glass distillery producing bourbon, rye, and vodka in Dekalb, Illinois. It’s truly a farm-to-glass operation, with all steps taking place on site. Using corn grown in the fields surrounding the distillery, they distill, age, and bottle all in Dekalb. (Read more about touring Whiskey Acres here.)

Because Whiskey Acres is a one-stop shop, so to speak, it makes for a fascinating distillery tour. Guests get to see and learn about all steps of the spirit-making process. And with their new visitors center, it’s even better. Plus they often partner with food trucks and bands so you can pair food and music with your whiskey.

Must Taste :: Don’t miss Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond Bourbon, aged at least 5 years and bottled at 100 proof.

J. Henry & Sons in Dane County, Wisconsin

3 hour drive from Chicago

J. Henry & Sons in Dane County, Wisconsin, makes bourbon using an heirloom strain of red corn to give the whiskey a uniquely delicious flavor. They worked with the University of Wisconsin to revive the particular strain of red corn, so they are the only people in the world using it in a whiskey mashbill.

The corn is grown right at the J. Henry & Sons farm, sent offsite for distilling, then the whiskey returns to age on the farm. Touring J. Henry includes the farm and warehouses, before finishing with a tasting of their several expressions of bourbon. (Learn more about the heirloom corn and touring J. Henry & Sons Farm here.)

Must Taste :: J. Henry’s Bellefontaine Reserve is a bourbon aged for five years, then finished for 8 months in Cognac casks from France. It’s interesting in the best way!

Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan

1.5 hour drive from Chicago

Even though it’s three states away, Journeyman Distillery in Michigan is an easy day trip from Chicago. Three Oaks, Michigan, is just an hour and a half away from Chicago, including a quick drive through Indiana.

Journeyman Distillery is located in a historic building more than 130 years old. Once a corset and buggy whip factory, Journeyman founders converted the Featherbone Factory into a distillery in 2010. (The building’s former life inspired one whiskey expression’s name: Corsets, Whips & Whiskey.) The distillery space itself is quite small, so the tour is short and sweet, but the tasting more than makes up for it.

The tasting includes several of Journeyman’s whiskeys, plus vodka, gin, rum, and liquors. Yeah, Journeyman distills quite a range of spirits! But don’t stop there. Visit the Staymaker restaurant, housed in the same space, for a post-tour meal. And whatever you do, make sure to order the Bilberry Black Hearts Gin pickles!

Must Taste :: The aforementioned Corsets, Whips & Whiskey is a made from 100% wheat, making the whiskey very mellow, despite being bottled at 107 proof.

Thornton Distilling in Thornton, Illinois

Less than an hour drive from Chicago

Don’t worry, single malt fans, there’s a whiskey distillery near Chicago for you, too. Thornton Distillery in Thornton, Illinois — less than an hour drive south of downtown Chicago — makes single malt whiskey using Midwestern barley. And — here’s the real kicker — uses local peat for their peated single malt!

Thornton Distilling makes whiskey, gin, absinthe, and vodka, bottled under the brand name Dead Drop Spirits. Housed in a brewery dating back 150 years, Thornton uses water from the onsite well for distillation. Tours start at the basement water well that’s just as creepy as it sounds, continues through the distillery and event space, then finishes in the bar, The Well. There you can order a flight of all Dead Drop Spirits, a tasty but potent way to end the tour!

Must Taste :: Since the single malt has a few years to age before it’s available, try the bottled Old Fashioned. Normally I’m not a big cocktail fan, especially one from a bottle, but Dead Drop’s Old Fashioned changed my mind. It’s fantastic and takes all the hard work out of an Old Fashioned.

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There you have it, the best whiskey distilleries near Chicago. And if you’re aching for more distilleries, remember that Kentucky is less than a five hour drive away!

Related :: Touring Whiskey Acres,  J. Henry Farm,  MGP Distillery, and High West Distillery