History

Northern Waters Distillery was founded in 2013 by Peter Nomm. In 2014 they opened a small shop in downtown Minocqua – where moonshines were offered, while whiskies and bourbons began the aging process. In 2018 they moved to a larger facility on Highway 51 to support growth in production. In 2023 ownership was transferred from the Nomm family to the Johnson-Donahue family: Jake Donahue, his sister Sarah Johnson and her husband Cal Johnson. The ownership remains committed to NW.D's principles of creative experimentation, quality products, and customer-centered decision-making. The Northwoods-inspired concept and the tradition of a lakeside cabin are the core ideas.

A Shared Vision

Our Northwoods business and home are a blend of the old and the new. Generations of families have embraced the tradition of a lakeside cabin. Northwoods offers the finest experiences in the most beautiful surroundings. The goal of our products is to deliver the finest quality spirits, produced by the most traditional means. Each batch, each barrel, and each bottle has unique, independent characteristics that can only be enjoyed sip by sip. We invite you to enjoy all that we have to offer.

Production / Manufacturing

Northern Waters combines Northwoods water with Wisconsin-grown grains and regional fruits and botanicals, along with a healthy dose of creative experimentation – and this is the key to NW.D's spirits. The products use regional materials – from rye and wheat to maple syrup and cranberries – and a little Northwoods flavor is always present. Each batch and each product undergoes a craft-based approach and community collaboration, with a focus on distillation, aging and blending. Spent grains are sent to farms for feed, and bottles are recycled and repurposed for candles and other similar products.

Barrels / Custom Whiskey Program

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own whiskey recipe? We can help you create a bourbon with a custom label. Recipe design: minimum 51% corn, and at least 15% malted grain; steps include milling, stripping run, spirit run, blending to proof, barrel filling, barrel sampling, barrel harvest, final proofing and bottling. Label design and a federally approved label are included. To create your own recipe, you can design the blend from available inputs and receive guidance along the way. This program gives you your own unique bottle and barrel.

Products / Whiskey Series

We produce Bourbon, Brandy, and Whiskey (under a single category). In addition, we offer Flavored Whiskey, Moonshine, Vodka, Gin, and Rum. We emphasize regional ingredients and creative experimentation throughout our range. There is also a Custom Whiskey Program through our Barrels section, where customers can design their own bourbon and receive a personalized label.

Visit / Experiences

The Tasting Room is open year-round, where visitors can taste and purchase products and cocktails. Our distillery tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process, aging, and blending and lasts about 60 minutes; a maximum of 12–14 people per tour. Public tours are held on Fridays and Saturdays; price is USD 15 per person and includes a complimentary cocktail. Private group rates are available and can be arranged via the Event Calendar. Tours and experiences take place in a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere; dogs are welcome and BYO food is allowed.

Philosophy

Northern Waters is driven by a belief in traditional methods combined with creative experimentation. We combine Northwoods water with Wisconsin grains and local ingredients to produce the highest quality spirits through independent, small-batch production. Sustainability is part of our practice (spent grains for feed, bottle recycling), and we place emphasis on community and a learning, authentic experience of distilling and blending.