Historie

Rush Creek Distilling is a craft distillery in Harvard, Illinois, that prioritizes authentic craft spirits and a unique visitor experience. The distillery is described as being driven by passion and a desire to do things right—not to get rich, but to do it properly. The story is told through the tale of the four local founders: Mark Stricker, Todd Stricker, Jay T. Nolan, and Jeff McCarthy. They describe themselves with the words 'Four Guys' and speak of a passion for craft and a vision to raise the standard of distilling in their region. In addition to production focus, they highlight a special Harvard theme (Heritage, Harvard Degree) and a connection to the local community at the heart of the dairy district. The message 'Savor the adventurous spirit' and the call to 'STEP OUTSIDE' frame the story of the distillery and its visitor experiences. The destination is set in the historical context around Harvard, where the dairy culture meets craft distilling.

Produktion og råvarer

Råvarer og infrastruktur

• Korn and malt are locally grown, with high-value selected varieties and lesser-known varieties used. The raw materials include unprocessed grain from local sources (corn, wheat and rye) and malted barley from Briess, Wisconsin.
• All raw materials are processed in-house: the grain is weighed at the edge of the grain storage, milled in a hammer mill and fed to the still. This underlines an in-house approach to sourcing and preparation.
• The water comes from the Rush Creek watershed and is regarded as a critical ingredient in their craft spirits. It is drawn from a clean, natural water source, which also symbolizes Brook Trout in the brand and its connection to water quality.
• The basis for materials and processes is supported by local family-owned farms (the Book family), emphasizing sustainability and long-term relationships.

The still, control, and production

• Distillation takes place in a still named Liberty and in an accompanying distillation line (Rush Creek Distilling line). The still's design combines copper and steel and allows them to fine-tune recipes and achieve consistency.
• After several stripping rounds, crystal clarity is achieved, and the process moves to finishing and aging.
• Barrels: they age bourbons, rye whiskies, and 'orphan' finds in new handmade, slow-growth white oak barrels from craft cooperages in Minnesota.
• For vodka and gin, production goes straight to bottling with no aging. No shortcuts are taken, and labeling and sealing are done in-house.
• The control system is track-and-trace to ensure consistency and traceability in every batch.

Philosophy and approach

• Emphasis is placed on small-batch and slow, controlled production, where art meets science in the so-called 'control center,' where enzyme levels, pH, and specific gravity are monitored.
• The portfolio includes multiple products and spirit categories (vodka, gin, bourbon, rye and other whiskies) with a clearly craft- and guest-focused approach to flavor and experience.

Produkter / Whisky-serien

Rush Creek Distilling produces whiskey and related spirits, including: - American Gold Whisky – a whiskey in their portfolio, - Trophy Whiskey – another whiskey line, - Rye Whisky (highlighted in recipes and mentions, e.g., 58% Rye Whiskey), - Wheated Bourbon concepts (various bourbon variants with a wheat blend, e.g., 25% Wheat in the recipes). The distillery is presented as a source of bourbon, rye and wheated bourbons in their beverage offerings and use in recipes and cocktails. In addition, there are a number of recipes and mix combinations focusing on craft spirits and craftsmanship, including 'Barrel Rested Gin' and other spirit variants, but the whiskey selection is clearly present through American Gold, Trophy, Rye and Bourbons (including wheated variants).

Besøg og oplevelser

• Tours & Tastings: Starting at $10 USD per person and include tastings of selected Rush Creek Distilling spirits.
• Tour times: Thursday and Friday: no tours; Saturday: 14:00; Sunday: 13:00; Monday–Wednesday: by appointment for groups of 20 or more.
• Location: 1501 West Diggins St. Harvard, Illinois 60033. Look for the distillery in the heart of dairy country; the area is described as 'Harvard country' and 'is represented by brook trout on the label'.
• Private events and Adventurous Spirits Club: Opportunities for private events and a members club with a newsletter, discounts and special events.
• Organic/port schemes: No direct organic certifications are mentioned, but emphasis on locally grown ingredients and sustainability, as well as support for water quality and Trout Unlimited.
• Shop and touring: There is a brick-and-mortar shop (CREEK SIDE Mercantile) with a wide range of products and shopping opportunities after the tour. Orders can be placed through the physical shop or an online partner.
• Atmosphere and environment: Patio experiences and 'Best Served On the Rocks' views, including live music in the open area and a dog-friendly outdoor space.

Filosofi og samfundsengagement

• The philosophy emphasizes an adventurous spirit and a commitment to 'do things right' rather than getting rich. Slogans like 'Savor the adventurous spirit' and 'STEP OUTSIDE' illustrate this earthy, grounded approach.
• They emphasize a strong relationship with the water environment and brook trout symbolism as a symbol of water quality; they support Trout Unlimited and work on water safety and conservation as part of their identity.
• Their production philosophy is based on local, sustainable sourcing and close collaboration with fourth-generation farmers belonging to family operations around barley and corn.

Placering og tilgængelighed

• Address: 1501 West Diggins St. Harvard, Illinois 60033.
• Contact: 815.943.RUSH / info@rushcreekdistilling.com.
• National purchase and distribution: Through online partners; local retailers in Illinois and Wisconsin; distributors to be announced.

Opsummering

Rush Creek Distilling presents powerful craftsmanship and a strong sense of community through locally sourced grains and sustainable operations, an in-house malting approach, and an integrated, traceable production. Their whisky lineup includes American Gold Whisky, Trophy Whisky, as well as Rye and Wheated Bourbons, and they offer a range of visit and tasting experiences as well as membership benefits through the Adventurous Spirits Club.