Long Road Distillers
About the Distillery
Long Road Distillers is a Michigan-based distillery and spirits brand with tasting rooms in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. They produce a wide range of handmade spirits — from gin and vodka to liqueurs, amari, absinthe, ready-to-drink cocktails and apple brandy — with a focus on local ingredients, seasonal releases, and collaborations with regional suppliers.
Ingredients and Production
Long Road's production philosophy centers on traceability and craftsmanship. They state that they source all ingredients, mill and ferment the materials on-site, and filter the products honestly. The gin line is built on local botanicals, and a specific release (MICHIGIN) uses Red Winter Wheat as the base with juniper harvested on Beaver Island. Seasonal releases and collaborations with local specialists actively inform product development. These documented procedures explain how the distillery prioritizes local ingredients, internal processes, and partnerships in its production.
Whiskeys
The lineup includes gin (both signature gins and seasonal releases like MICHIGIN), vodka, fruit and herb liqueurs, amaro/bitter liqueurs, absinthe, canned ready-to-drink cocktails, and a Michigan Apple Brandy. The products range between core year-round releases and seasonal bottles, and the collection includes collaboration releases and limited editions. There is a focus on highlighting local ingredients and offering both bar/tasting experiences and retail production.
The Style and Flavor Profile of the Whiskies
Across the range, clear threads of fruit, citrus and herb/botanical notes run through. Several liqueurs highlight berries (raspberry, cherry, blueberry), while lemonade releases draw on lemon and other citrus notes. Herbs and flowers such as lavender, basil and mint appear in several drinks, and the gin products focus on juniper and local botanicals. The overall flavor palette therefore comes from bright fruit notes, sharp citrus nuances, and herbaceous, botanical elements.
Visiting the Distillery
There are multiple visit locations: the Grand Rapids tasting room at 537 Leonard St NW (Grand Rapids, MI 49504), a location in Grand Haven at 18 Washington (Grand Haven, MI 49417) and 'Less Traveled' at 959 Cherry St SE in Grand Rapids. Visitors are offered cocktails and tastings, and there are Tickets & Tours as well as the option to make reservations; phone numbers for the locations are provided. The distillery also operates a shop and hosts events and seasonal activities at tasting rooms.
Philosophy and Craft
Throughout production, Long Road prioritizes traceability, local ingredients and in-house processing: they mill and ferment themselves, filter internally and make seasonal releases with Michigan-sourced ingredients. Collaborations with local professionals and a stated commitment to responsible consumption are central values.