History

Union Horse Distilling Co. was founded in 2010 in Kansas City with the idea of bringing something special and unique to the hometown, something that hadn't been done since Prohibition. With a fighting spirit geared toward creating grain-to-glass whiskies, the company became a family-owned and -run producer that meets adversity with perseverance and a commitment to tradition, family, and customers.

Production and Craft

Everything happens in-house and by hand—from grinding high-quality Midwest grain to malting, fermentation, distillation, barreling and bottling. This is seen as a sign of respect for industry traditions, for the family, and for you. The team describes Union Horse as the energy that flows between Kansas and Missouri and drives their home turf in Kansas City forward through locally sourced ingredients. Future evolution is viewed as the key to the next generation of expressions.

Products / Whisky Series

Rivalist American Single Malt Whiskey

100% malted barley malts, handcrafted from start to finish in a copper pot still, produced with three types of malted barley (Odyssey, Chocolate and Caramel malts). Aged at least 5 years, non-chill-filtered. Bottle hand-numbered and signed by Master Distiller & co-founder Patrick Garcia. 48% ABV (96 proof). Aroma and tasting notes: nougat, dried fruit, bakery spices, candied nuts and jasmine.

Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Distilled from a sour-mash recipe of corn and rye, handcrafted in a copper pot still and aged 5–7 years in our signature oak. Non-chill-filtered. Hand-numbered and signed by Master Distiller & co-founder Patrick Garcia. 46% ABV. Notes: craftsmanship and vanilla, nougat and light smoke.

BIB Reserve Straight Bourbon

Distilled and bottled on site, based on a traditional sour-mash of corn and rye. Aged six years and offered at 50% ABV. Distilled in a 500-gallon column still – Chester Copperpot – and aged in signature oak. Bottle numbers and signed. Notes: dark fruit, caramel- and vanilla-character, cinnamon. The workhorse Chester copper still is part of the story.

Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey

100% rye, aged 5–7 years and not chill-filtered. 46.5% ABV. Notes: butter, caramel, butterscotch, cinnamon and ginger. Bottle numbered and signed by Patrick Garcia.

Barrel Strength Reunion Rye Whiskey

100% rye mash, hand-selected and aged at barrel strength. 60.7% ABV (121.4 proof). Aged 5–7 years and not chill-filtered. Bottle numbered and signed. Notes: citrus, vanilla, toffee, mint and pepper spice.

Port Finish Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey

Port barrel finish version of Reunion Straight Rye. 50% ABV (100 proof). Aged 4+ years and finished for a minimum of 16 months in ruby port-finished barrels. Notes: berries, chocolate, caramel, cassis and orange. Bottle hand-numbered and signed.

Port Barrel Finish Rye Whiskey (LIMITED RELEASE)

The latest addition: Port finish of Reunion Straight Rye Whiskey – limited release; finished in ruby port-finished barrels for a minimum of 16 months. 50% ABV. Notes and price are expected to reflect the finish and aging.

Long Shot White Whiskey

A small-batch whiskey produced from a sour-mash of corn and wheat. Twin copper-pot still distillation and aged 120 minutes in used signature oak. 80 proof (40% ABV). Notes: dried fruit, sweet grain, floral notes, and lemon zest.

Rolling Standard Midwestern Four Grain Whiskey

An innovative four-grain whiskey: a blend of two different whiskies – a wheated bourbon and an American single malt – aged in signature oak. 46% ABV (92 proof). Notes: vanilla, maple, cinnamon and almond as well as dark fruit. This incarnation represents an expansion into a new frontier.

Rider Vodka

Artisan, small-batch vodka made from r.v. hvedemel. Six times distilled and slow filtration for an exceptionally smooth finish. 40% ABV. Notes: sweet cream, vanilla and citrus. There is also a cocktail reference: The Silver Fox (recipe) in the portfolio.

The Silver Fox (cocktail recipe)

A cocktail recipe mentioned as part of Rider Vodka, shown as part of the site's selected recipes.

Other Information

Union Horse spans a range of spirit expressions, including styles and finishes such as Port Finish and Barrel Strength, and focuses on delivering a unique Midwest style. The company is described as Midwest-born and family-owned, with a belief in craft, small batches, and locally available ingredients.

Visits / Experiences

Distillery Tours: $25 per person, maximum 25 per tour; 21+ with valid ID. Tours start in the Rider Room and include a guided tour of the entire facility, plus the opportunity to sample their spirits in the Rider Room. Distillery Social: regular events where you can enjoy selected drinks and flights along with food from a local food truck. Upcoming Events: information about upcoming dinners and events in partnership with local offerings.

Philosophy

The starting point is “The Spirit of the Midwest” – a family-owned and award-winning distillery born in the heart of the Midwest, prioritizing craftsmanship, local ingredients and the grain-to-glass process. They pledge ongoing innovation and development of new expressions with a focus on process, artistry and dedication to the craft.