History

Peoria, Illinois, became historically known as the 'Whiskey Capital of the World,' with between 1837 and 1919 as many as 73 distilleries and 24 breweries. Prohibition hit the city hard and reduced its whiskey heritage, but a recipe from the era — created by bootlegger J.K. Williams — was rediscovered and forms the basis for JK Williams Distilling, which has been relaunched to highlight the bootlegger's history and Peoria's unique whiskey heritage. Owner Andy Faris and co-owner Stacy Shunk Faris are behind the relaunch, and they brought in Jeff Murphy as head distiller, who had previously worked with Bayou Rum and Rebecca Creek Blended Whiskey. In 2019, the Farises bought the distillery and dropped the periods in the name to mark the new era. Production moved from East Peoria to a new facility on North Industrial Road in Peoria.

JK Williams Distilling produces two core expressions: Stormy River Rye Whiskey and Gold Zephyr Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Gold Zephyr won a gold medal in the 2020 USA Spirits Ratings. Both spirits are distilled and aged in-house. According to the history, the first releases were delayed for longer aging, and there is an emphasis on having their own juice in the glass rather than sourcing.

Bourbon mash: - 80% corn, 10% wheat, 10% barley (corn locally sourced). Rye mash: - 90% rye and 10% barley.

There were also plans mentioned to release an American wheat whiskey in the summer of 2021, which would be a blend of 16 barrels of their bourbon recipe, distilled at slightly over 160 proof, and therefore not classified as bourbon under the law.

Production/Manufacturing

The spirits were originally distilled and aged in East Peoria, but JK Williams Distilling notes that they now distill and store at a new facility in Peoria (North Industrial Road). They highlight that both Stormy River Rye and Gold Zephyr Straight Bourbon are aged and distilled in-house. The bourbon has a mash bill of 80% corn, 10% wheat, and 10% barley, with the corn locally sourced, and the rye variant (Stormy River Rye) has 90% rye and 10% barley. A minimum of four years aging before bottling is noted, and the production is based on their own juice rather than sourced spirit.

Products/Whisky Series

Stormy River Rye Whiskey

• Rye whiskey produced and aged in-house.

Gold Zephyr Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Straight Bourbon, aged a minimum of four years. Mash bill: 80% corn, 10% wheat, 10% barley. Locally sourced corn is used. Has received a gold medal in the 2020 USA Spirits Ratings.

Visiting/Experiences

This source does not mention specific tours or visitor experiences at JK Williams Distilling. No information about direct sales or visits is provided in the available material.

Philosophy

The distillery emphasizes authentic stories and long aging as the foundation for their products, including a requirement of at least four years of aging, and a focus on having their own juice throughout the production process. Emphasis is placed on Peoria's history and local ingredients as part of their identity and craft.