Kansas's 5-Star Bourbon Distillery
Crafting the Next Generation of Spirits
Handcrafted small-batch vodka, bourbon, and whiskey in Marquette — made with Kansas grains and sandstone-filtered water from the Kiowa Aquifer.
Handcrafted with Care in Central Kansas
We use only the finest ingredients, including the naturally sweet and refreshing sandstone-filtered water of the nearby Kiowa Aquifer. As a small-town business, we take pride in supporting local farmers and using locally sourced grains.
Located in downtown Marquette in the historic COOP building — built in 1919 — Smoky Valley Distillery is a destination for craft spirit lovers across Kansas and beyond.
1919
Historic Building
5.0
TripAdvisor Rating
2020
Est. in Marquette
Our Spirits
Small-batch spirits that capture the heart and soul of the Midwest and the taste of the Smoky Valley.
Bourbon · 45% ABV
Bud & Dewey's
Our best-selling wheated straight bourbon with sweet cereal and vanilla notes.
Vodka · 40% ABV
Wild Plum Vodka
Infused with natural plum flavor — take any cocktail to the next level.
Whiskey · 45% ABV
Kernza Whiskey
Crafted with Kernza perennial wheat developed in Kansas. Truly one of a kind.
Vodka · 40% ABV
Smoked Jalapeno Vodka
Hickory-smoked and jalapeno-infused for a one-of-a-kind vodka. Perfect in a Bloody Mary.
Experience the Distillery
What Visitors Are Saying
“Couldn't ask for a better experience...wonderful people and tasty concoctions!!”
— Kat R.
“The owners were kind, friendly and very knowledgeable about their products. The plum vodka is excellent.”
— Rachel B.
“Top shelf whisky and vodka distilled on site. FABULOUS Bloody Mary and Mules.”
— TripAdvisor Review
More Than a Distillery
Beyond our spirits, we offer a 140-seat event venue with live music, a cozy tasting room, and the Preston House — our lodging that sleeps 11, within walking distance of the distillery.
- Guided tours & tastings ($10/person)
- Live music on weekends
- Event venue for weddings, parties & corporate events
- Preston House lodging (sleeps 11)
Try This at Home
Craft cocktail recipes using our handmade spirits.
Smoky Valley Bloody Mary
The ultimate Bloody Mary — made with Smoky Valley Smoked Jalapeno Vodka for smoky heat, or Pickle Vodka for savory dill flavor. No extra pickle juice needed.
3 Easy Bourbon Cocktails
Three simple bourbon cocktails anyone can make at home — Whiskey Sour, Bourbon & Ginger, and Bourbon Hot Toddy using Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon.
Bourbon Eggnog
A cooked-custard eggnog built on Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon — eight servings, safe to make, and far better than anything in a carton.
From the Distillery
Stories, guides, and education about craft spirits.
Whiskey Education
Pot Still vs. Column Still: One Keeps the Flavor, One Takes It Out
A pot still and a column still do the same physical job and produce almost opposite spirits. Here's how each one works, why the federal proof limits quietly decide which one a distillery uses, and what comes off the 250-gallon copper pot in Marquette.
Whiskey Education
What Is the Angel's Share? The Whiskey That Never Reaches a Bottle
The angel's share is the whiskey that evaporates out through the barrel during aging — and it is the reason a full barrel never fills as many bottles as the math says it should. Here is where it goes, how much disappears, why it pushes bourbon's proof up and Scotch's proof down, and why the federal government does not tax it.
Whiskey Education
Bourbon vs. Scotch: Two Rulebooks, One Barrel Decision
Bourbon's recipe is written into American law. Scotch's is written into British law — and American law just points at it. Here's what each rulebook actually requires, why the barrel does most of the separating, and how a Kansas pot-still distiller reads the difference.
Plan Your Visit to Smoky Valley
Whether you're coming from Salina, Wichita, or Kansas City — we're worth the drive. Book a tour, grab a bottle, or stay the weekend.