History

Tom's Town Distilling Co. is a Kansas City distillery and speakeasy named in honor of the controversial political leader Tom Pendergast. During his era Prohibition flourished by ignoring federal law, and Kansas City earned the nickname 'Paris of the Plains,' with money, jazz, and spirits in the air. The quote 'The people are thirsty' is used as a backdrop for the company's approach today, where they promise premium craft spirits of high standard and meticulous attention to detail. The distillery describes a close connection between history and craft through gin, vodka, and bourbon, as well as various events and experiences in a historic setting.

Production / Manufacturing

Tom's Town produces spirits in the heart of Kansas City, focusing on craft and historical inspiration. Their gin is produced using two methods of distilling botanicals – vapor-distillation and maceration – and uses 14 botanicals for a complex profile. Barreled Gin is finished in bourbon barrels for more than a year and offers notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Their Botanical Gin is known for floral and citrusy nuances.

The vodka is Tom's Town Double Grain Vodka, made from 90% malted wheat and 10% Missouri rye, marketed as ultra-clean and creamy in texture. It is 80 proof. They call their approach 'Premium craft' and highlight medals and accolades from various independent organizations.

Their range also includes a number of bourbons and special series: - Pendergast’s Royal Gold Bourbon, finished in hand-selected 14-year-old ruby Port casks for a port wine component in the finish. - Tom's Town Double Oaked Bourbon, which through a stave-finishing process gains extra depth through both French and American oak staves. - The Limited Reserve program, which includes bourbons finished in special casks (e.g., Apple Brandy casks and Dashe Zinfandel casks) and a higher ABV.

There are also special 'Machine Series' releases – one-off spirits that push the boundaries: e.g., Half Baked (No. 10) – a whiskey-inspired spirit distilled from Lagunitas Lagunator beer and aged in white oak barrels; Malt Whiskey No. 2; Grid Iron Whiskey No. 7; Gingersnap Whiskey No. 6; White Port Bourbon No. 4; Navy-Strength Gin No. 3 and other experiments, where each expression has its own character and ABV.

The distillery also focuses on a restaurant and tasting workshop in a 110-year-old tasting room, where cocktails and small bites are served. Their 'Event Spaces' offer facilities for private events, including weddings and corporate events, with options for customized catering and various bar packages.

Products / Whisky Series

Whisky selections highlighted in the content

• Pendergast’s Royal Gold Bourbon – a bourbon finished in hand-selected 14-year ruby port casks (90 proof). Tasting notes include caramelized sugar, oak, stone fruits.
• Tom's Town Double Oaked Bourbon – a bourbon with a stave-finishing process, giving notes of caramel and oak.
• Limited Reserve Bourbon program – bourbons finished in special casks: e.g., Apple Brandy cask and Dashe Zinfandel cask, both with higher ABV.
• Malt Whiskey No. 2 (Machine No. 2) – malt whiskey (whisky-type) produced as part of the Machine Series, with notes of pepper, cinnamon, honey and vanilla.
• Grid Iron Whiskey No. 7 and Gingersnap Whiskey No. 6 – whiskeys in the Machine Series, expressing distinctive flavor profiles through collaborations and unique distillation processes.

Additionally, the content also mentions other whisky-related expressions in the Machine Series, e.g., Armarbejdet Malt Whisky (No. 2) and White Port Bourbon (No. 4), which combine a bourbon base with special finish notes. The product descriptions emphasize that the series is a way to showcase craftsmanship and creativity in the art of distillation – often as limited releases and experimental editions.

Other spirit types in the range (not whiskey)

• Gin: Botanical Gin and Barreled Gin (barrel-finished in bourbon casks).
• Vodka: Double Grain Vodka (wheat + rye).
• Canned Cocktails: four variants such as Elderflower Lime Gin, Grapefruit Clove Gin, Lemon Gin Collins and Strawberry Mint Vodka.

Visits / Experiences

Their physical location is 1701 Main Street, Kansas City, MO, where there is a 110-year-old tasting room and a restaurant/experience zone. Their offerings include: - Distillery Tours and Cocktail Classes, as well as the option to book events in the distillery's rooms (Pendergast Lounge and Rickenbacker Room) with A/V equipment and catering options. - Event spaces for private and corporate events, including weddings, meetings, and social gatherings with customized bar packages and catering. - A restaurant and tasting room combined with a historical theme and a speakeasy experience. Their site highlights that you can reserve distillery experiences and participate in events such as tastings and special events in the Pendergast Lounge and in the Rickenbacker Room. - The calendar on their pages shows regular events, in-store tastings, and partnerships with local events (e.g., theatre events, concerts, and launch parties).

Philosophy

Tom's Town frames its identity as a Prohibition-era inspired distillery, celebrating the rebellion and the pulsating energy of the Roaring Twenties. Their history ties Kansas City's historic image to contemporary craft and innovation – with a belief that 'The people are thirsty' still applies, and that high standards and attention to detail are reflected in their gin, vodka, and bourbon. Through themed series (Machine Series), finish trials, and the Limited Reserve program, they demonstrate a willingness to experiment while preserving history as they produce modern premium spirits.

Storytelling and Collaborations

Through 'The Pendergast Story' and various events and collaborations, they show an active culture around tastings, events, and community engagement (e.g., Wags & Whiskey and associated charitable causes). At the same time they emphasize the historic atmosphere in their spaces and events, linking Prohibition-era stories with contemporary craft.