It’s All About the Handmade Art
COMPANY
Journeyman Distillery
LOCATION
109 Generations Drive, Three Oaks, MI 49128
COUNTY
Berrien
YEAR FOUNDED
2011
WHAT THEY MAKE
Journeyman Distillery creates spirits the artisanal way, crafting organic-certified and locally-sourced whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, and more in a 19th-century building that once housed a corset and buggy whip factory. The distillery exists to prove that great whiskey can be made one small batch at a time. The tasting room allows visitors the opportunity to sample spirits and learn what makes each unique. Visitors can also take a tour to learn how spirits are made or visit the company’s new restaurant, Staymaker, which specializes in small-batch food.
WHAT SETS THEM APART
Journeyman Distillery spirits are organic and kosher-certified; something that can only be said about a handful of spirits worldwide. Grain is sourced from Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and milled on site to retain its maximum flavor. Its first whiskey was a rye back before rye had become the trendy whiskey of the day. Its gin predominantly features the bilberry, a fruit native to Scotland that the company’s owner, Bill Welter, came to love while living there.
WHAT’S IN BATCH
Committed to support the organic movement, the company goes through about 5,000 pounds of organically-grown grain each week. Twelve gallons of whiskey are hand-made per day taking 10 to 12 hours to distill.
NOTABLE PRODUCTS
- Silver Cross Whiskey
- Bilberry Black Hearts Gin
- Red Arrow Vodka
- Barrel Aged Road’s End Rum
WHERE SOLD
Journeyman Distillery spirits can be found in stores, restaurants, and bars in thirteen states, including Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington, DC. They are available as far west as California and as far east as Germany.
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
16,000+ cases were sold in 2014.
LAST EXPANSION
In September 2015, Journeyman Distillery opened Staymaker, a restaurant located at the distillery that grew the workforce by more than 20 employees. It also added a second production facility, capable of quintupling output in the future.
WHO WORKS THERE
Six distillers keep the production facility running and producing award-winning spirits. Hostesses, servers, bartenders, retail shop workers, and the head chef and cooks help the restaurant and tasting room offer exceptional customer services, drinks, and food.
THE TEAM
The Journeyman Distillery family functions as one big team with everyone ready to lend a hand. Gatherings throughout the year keep everyone close and keep morale high. It’s a fast-paced environment that’s always changing, but each day ends with the smile of a happy customer.
NOW HIRING
Journeyman Distillery is always on the lookout for new team members who are personable, friendly, and committed to the highest level of customer service. Resumes can be sent to greatwhiskey@journeymandistillery.com.
