Gin · Illinois
Gin Distilleries in Illinois
Tour 5 gin distilleries in Illinois. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including North Shore Distillery, Copper Fiddle Distillery, Chicago Distilling Company.
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About gin distilleries in Illinois
Illinois has quietly become a rewarding state for gin lovers, anchored by pioneers who helped launch the Midwest's craft distilling revival. North Shore Distillery, founded by Sonja and Derek Kassebaum, holds the distinction of being the first craft distillery to open in Illinois after Prohibition, and its Distiller's Gin No. 6 and No. 11 have drawn national acclaim, the latter a juniper-forward nod to the classic London Dry style. Around Chicago and beyond, a varied gin scene has grown up alongside it. Chicago Distilling Company brings urban, neighbourhood character to the city, Copper Fiddle Distillery distils in Lake Zurich, and Quincy Street Distillery operates out of historic Riverside. Up in the state's northwest corner, the family-run Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. in Galena makes both aged and unaged gin from a base of locally sourced wheat and rye, distilling each botanical separately before blending. Together these distilleries offer a gin tour that spans big-city tasting rooms and small-town craft, all built on Midwestern grain and a genuine pioneering spirit.
What makes Gin here special
Illinois gin reflects the Midwest's grain-growing heritage and the independent streak of the distillers who revived craft spirits in the state. North Shore Distillery set the tone, opening as Illinois' first post-Prohibition craft distillery and earning a reputation for its Distiller's Gin No. 6 and No. 11, the latter celebrated for its abundant fresh juniper, citrus and spice in the London Dry mould. Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. takes a notably hands-on approach in Galena, building its spirits on a base of locally sourced wheat and rye rather than bought-in neutral grain, and distilling each botanical separately to control the final balance, which yields both classic and barrel-aged gins. Chicago Distilling Company channels a city sensibility, while Copper Fiddle Distillery and Quincy Street Distillery bring suburban and small-town craft to the picture. The common thread is care and provenance, with several producers controlling their spirit from grain to glass rather than simply re-distilling a purchased base.
What to expect from a Gin tasting
A gin tasting in Illinois usually centres on contrasting styles, since the state's distillers cover everything from crisp London Dry to barrel-aged and botanically expressive expressions. At North Shore Distillery you can compare Gin No. 6 and No. 11 to taste how different botanical blends shift the character, from the juniper-led classic to its more contemporary sibling. Blaum Bros. tastings often let you sample both unaged and aged gin alongside the distillery's whiskey, vodka and other spirits, and the on-site bar is known for craft cocktails, so you can see the gin perform in a drink. City distilleries such as Chicago Distilling Company offer relaxed, neighbourhood tasting rooms, while Copper Fiddle and Quincy Street provide more intimate, small-batch settings. Expect knowledgeable hosts willing to talk through the botanicals and distilling process, and look out for cocktail menus that show how each gin is best mixed. Many sites combine a short tour of the still with the tasting itself.
Planning your visit
Illinois gin distilleries fall into two broad clusters, which makes planning straightforward. The Chicago area offers the densest concentration: Chicago Distilling Company within the city, North Shore Distillery in Lake County to the north, Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich and Quincy Street Distillery in Riverside are all reachable for visitors basing themselves around Chicago, though a car helps for the suburban sites. The other anchor is Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. in Galena, in the far northwest, which pairs beautifully with a weekend in that historic riverside town and its surrounding wine and food scene. Tasting rooms generally keep weekend-friendly hours, and Blaum Bros. in particular is set up for visitors with tours and tastings most days. Book ahead for guided tours where you can, drive responsibly with a designated driver, and consider combining a gin stop with Galena's downtown or Chicago's neighbourhood food and drink offerings.
Frequently asked
- Which Illinois distillery should gin enthusiasts not miss?
- North Shore Distillery is essential for its place in history as Illinois' first post-Prohibition craft distillery and for its acclaimed Distiller's Gin No. 6 and No. 11. Blaum Bros. in Galena is the other standout, prized for its grain-to-glass approach and both aged and unaged gins.
- What is the difference between North Shore's Gin No. 6 and No. 11?
- Both are flagship gins from North Shore Distillery, but they offer different profiles. Gin No. 11 is an ode to traditional London Dry, leading with abundant fresh juniper plus citrus and spice, while Gin No. 6 carries its own distinct botanical balance. Tasting them side by side is the best way to appreciate the contrast.
- What makes Blaum Bros. gin distinctive?
- Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. in Galena builds its spirits on locally sourced wheat and rye rather than purchased neutral grain, and distils each botanical separately before blending. This grain-to-glass control, plus both aged and unaged versions, gives its gin real individuality.
- Can I visit several gin distilleries in one trip?
- Around Chicago you can combine several, including Chicago Distilling Company in the city and North Shore Distillery, Copper Fiddle and Quincy Street in the surrounding area, ideally with a car. Blaum Bros. in Galena is a separate destination in the northwest, best enjoyed as part of a weekend there.
- Do Illinois distilleries serve cocktails as well as tastings?
- Many do. Blaum Bros. runs an on-site bar known for craft cocktails, and city distilleries such as Chicago Distilling Company offer tasting rooms where you can enjoy gin in mixed drinks. Cocktails are a good way to see how each gin performs beyond a neat tasting.
- Should I book a gin tour in advance?
- For guided tours it is recommended, especially at weekends when tasting rooms are busiest. Blaum Bros. offers tours and tastings most days and is well set up for visitors, while smaller suburban distilleries may keep limited hours, so check schedules and reserve where possible.