BLACK BAND Distillery

Quick Overview of the Distillery

BLACK BAND Distillery is located in Peoria's historic Warehouse District and operates as a grain‑to‑glass distillery using regional organic ingredients and water from the Sankoty Aquifer. The distillery has quickly established itself through international awards for bourbons, ryes and other expressions. Also on site is The Bar at BLACK BAND, a whiskey‑driven cocktail bar, which serves as both a tasting room and a point of sale for bottles.

History

In recent years, BLACK BAND has made a strong mark in competitions and the press. In 2026, the distillery won ten medals at ASCOT Awards, including three Double Platinum distinctions, and earned several medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition that year. The distillery's progress lies in the consistent choice to produce grain-to-glass by using Midwestern organic corn and water from the Sankoty Aquifer. The practical side of the approach is supported by local partners such as Janie’s Farm Organics (Janie’s Mill) and The Barrel Mill in Avon, MN, supplying grain and barrels. Prices and partnerships have been central to the distillery's aim of reviving Peoria's historic role as an important whiskey city.

Raw Materials and Production

BLACK BAND operates as a grain‑to‑glass distillery: the grain from the region is mashed, distilled, and aged on-site. For their whiskey, a mash bill is listed as 85% corn, 10% wheat and 5% malted barley. The distillery uses water from the Sankoty Aquifer and holds certifications such as MOSA Certified Organic and OU Kosher. The production's local character is highlighted through direct collaboration with suppliers of organic grain and a barrel supplier, which affects both the raw material quality and aging possibilities. The tours highlight the phases from grain fermentation to still technology and barrel aging for visitors.

Maturation and Barrel Types

Aging takes place in the distillery's own barrels, supplied by The Barrel Mill in Avon, MN. No details are provided about barrel typology or previous contents, but the barrels are mentioned as a significant partner in developing the spirits' character. The distillery regularly mentions cask-strength releases, indicating the use of aging and bottling without dilution for certain expressions.

Whiskies

The lineup includes a range of bourbon and rye expressions as well as wheat and four-grain variants. Press and competitions mention Straight Rye, Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey, Straight Wheat Whiskey, Four Grain Bourbon, Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon and general bourbon expressions. In addition, the distillery produces gin and other spirits, but the whiskey releases are the focus in both awards and tours.

Whisky Style and Flavor Profile

Syntheses from competitions and tasting notes show three recurring directions: fruity notes (apricot/’juicy’ fruit), warm/sweet spice, and strong influence from oak. Chocolate and berry tones are also mentioned in some assessments. These elements recur across rye and bourbon expressions and give a picture of fruitiness, spice, and barrel character.

Visit the Distillery

Visits can be arranged through the distillery's tours in the renovated premises at 1000 SW Adams St. The tour covers grain fermentation, still technology, barrel aging, and Peoria's distilling history, and ends with a curated tasting of popular award‑winning spirits. The distillery also houses The Bar at BLACK BAND, a whiskey‑driven cocktail bar with food and a selection of cocktails, where bottles can be purchased or picked up during bar hours. The Bar's posted hours are The Bar at BLACK BAND — Tuesday–Thursday 16:00–22:00; Friday 16:00–23:00; Saturday 12:00–23:00.

The posted opening hours are The Bar at Black Band — Tuesday–Thursday 16:00–22:00; Friday 16:00–23:00; Saturday 12:00–23:00.

Philosophy and Craft

BLACK BAND prioritizes grain‑to‑glass craftsmanship, the use of local and organic crops, and certifications that document production standards (MOSA Organic and OU Kosher). The distillery's ongoing collaborations with regional suppliers and focus on Peoria's historic role illustrate a strategic emphasis on authenticity, local grounding, and quality in all stages of production.

Awards and Recognitions

• Double Platinum — Straight Rye Whiskey (2026, Double Platinum, Straight Rye Whiskey)

• Double Platinum — Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey (2026, Double Platinum, Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey)

• Double Platinum — Gin (2026, Double Platinum)

• Platinum — Straight Wheat Whiskey (2026, Platinum, Straight Wheat Whiskey)

• Platinum — Four Grain Bourbon (2026, Platinum, Four Grain Bourbon)

• Platinum — Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon (2026, Platinum, Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon)

• Gold — Wheated Bourbon (2026, Gold, Wheated Bourbon)

• Gold — Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon (2026, Gold, Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon)

• Gold — Bourbon (2026, Gold, Bourbon)

• Gold — Cask Strength Bourbon (2026, Gold, Cask Strength Bourbon)

• Silver — Wheated Bourbon (2026, Silver, Wheated Bourbon)

• Gold — Four Grain Bourbon (2026, Gold, Four Grain Bourbon)

• Double Gold — Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon (2026, Double Gold, Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon)

Latest News

BLACK BAND brings home TEN medals at the 2026 ASCOT Awards — including THREE Double Platinum – 2026-06-04

BLACK BAND Distillery earned ten medals at ASCOT Awards 2026, including three Double Platinum prizes. The article highlights the distillery's grain‑to‑glass approach, use of Midwestern organic corn and water from the Sankoty Aquifer, and collaboration with Janie’s Farm Organics and The Barrel Mill.

BLACK BAND Distillery Celebrates Another Outstanding Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and ASCOT Awards – 2026-06-27

At the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, BLACK BAND earned several medals, including Double Gold for Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon. The article also notes that the distillery is MOSA Certified Organic and OU Kosher certified.