Unlike other whiskeys, bourbon must be comprised of at least 51% corn, making Iowa (the nation’s top corn producer) a perfect home for the popular spirit. With many distilleries using local corn, the spirits are crafted with one-of-a-kind, farm-to-bottle homegrown flavors. Whether you prefer it neat or on the rocks, Old Fashioned or Manhattan, these five distilleries are worth the visit.
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Mississippi River Distilling Company, located in LeClaire along the banks of the Mississippi River, stays true to their Iowa roots by using grains from local farmers. Their Cody Road line of whiskeys and bourbons tends to feature bold flavors of vanilla and caramel, and they produce everything from standard bourbon and rye to single-barrel and flavored bourbons like maple and honey. Take a free tour to see the distilling process up close while sipping on handcrafted bourbon.
As one of the few on-farm distilleries left in the country, Lonely Oak Distillery’s small-batch bourbon is sure to take your taste buds on a flavorful journey. Owners and farmers Pat and Amy Hoffman overlook the entire distilling process from tilling the soil to harvest to bottling, all on their Earling farm. Each bottle under their Steeple Ridge label is hand signed with a distinct batch and bottle number, but all hold the same delicious flavors of cherry, vanilla and toffee.
Shift from stills to taps at Farmhand Brewing Company, or explore the area on the Western Skies Scenic Byway. When you're hungry, enjoy a fresh farm-to-table lunch at Milk & Honey or a hearty steak or burger at Troy’s Bar & Grill.
Looking for a unique distillery experience? Located near the Historic Valley Junction, Foundry Distilling is located inside an 1890s railcar building that was turned into a distillery, restaurant, tasting room and event space. The Foundry even allows visitors to create their own personalized barrel or bottle of custom bourbon from scratch. And for those looking for a ready-to-drink cocktail, their bottles of barrel-aged Manhattans are the perfect souvenir.
Browse Hinge to discover antiques and vintage clothes, or pop into Heart of Iowa Market Place for Iowa-made souvenirs, gift baskets and gourmet foods. Then, wander down the street to G. Mig’s to enjoy a wrap that’s won awards at the Iowa State Fair, or head to The Tavern for a slice of thin crust pizza.
Cedar Ridge started in 2005 when founder Jeff Quint decided the world needed a taste of homegrown Iowa bourbon and created Iowa’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Using corn from his family farm and the Swisher company’s “authentic by nature” ethos, he released his first batch of whiskey in 2010. Cedar Ridge quickly became an international leader in craft spirits, being crowned “Best American Craft Whiskey” in 2016.
Read more about Cedar Ridge’s journey to being the first craft bourbon in the nation to top sales in various states, including its own.
Shop local art, home décor and jewelry shops and sample local eats at NewBo City Market. Indulge in authentic Pad Thai or ramen at Nara Thai Cuisine or opt for comfort food at The Edison Pub and Eatery.
After seeing a friend make moonshine, Sara and Brian Winkleman were inspired to dive into the spirits industry. Now owners of S&B Farms Distillery, the Winklemans use grains from their Bancroft family farm to distill their award-winning Sir Winston line of bourbon, which offers up a unique blend of vanilla, caramel and fresh oak. Stop into the tasting room to sample the smooth, handcrafted bourbon, or taste their homage to original moonshine, which they call Field Fire.
Hit the green at the North Kossuth Golf Course, or enjoy a relaxing spa day at Spa-Dee-Dah. Then, pop into Johanson’s Café & Pizzeria for a specialty slice or treat yourself to a cake or cupcake from Seven Sweets.
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