Our Process

The Water — Kiowa Aquifer

Great spirits start with great water. Ours comes from the Kiowa Aquifer, located just outside Marquette. As the water passes through layers of sandstone, it's naturally filtered and picks up a subtle sweetness that becomes the foundation of everything we distill. No treatment, no chemicals — just pure Kansas groundwater the way nature intended.

The Grains — Locally Sourced

We source our grains from Kansas farmers we know by name. Corn, rye, wheat, and malt for our bourbon and whiskey lineup. Corn for our vodka. And for our most unique spirit — Kernza Whiskey — we use a perennial wheat grain developed right here in Kansas by The Land Institute in Salina. Supporting local agriculture isn't just a talking point for us — it's how we operate.

The Distillation

Every batch is distilled in our copper pot still inside the historic COOP building. We run small batches deliberately — this isn't about volume, it's about quality. Our vodka is distilled from 100% corn to achieve an exceptionally smooth character. Our bourbon and whiskey mash bills are crafted to bring out the unique qualities of each grain combination.

The Aging — Small-Barrel Technique

Here's where our approach gets interesting. Most distilleries age in standard 53-gallon barrels. We use 10-gallon barrels. The smaller barrel means significantly more surface area contact between the spirit and the charred oak. The result? Two years in our small barrels delivers the depth and complexity you'd expect from bourbon aged four and a half to five years in a full-size barrel.

It's not a shortcut — it's a different path to the same destination. And we think the results speak for themselves, especially in our Bud & Dewey's Wheated Bourbon, our best-selling spirit.

The Flavored Spirits

Our flavored vodkas are crafted through natural infusion — real plum, real jalapeno, real lingonberry, real dill. No artificial flavoring. Our Smoked Jalapeno Vodka and Smoked Straight Bourbon are bottled in hickory-smoked vessels, adding a mellow smokiness without overpowering the spirit.

The Bottling — By Hand

Every bottle is hand-labeled, and our bourbon bottles are individually marked with batch and bottle numbers. When you hold a bottle of Smoky Valley spirits, you're holding something that was touched at every stage by the people who made it. That's not just a selling point — it's the reality of a small-batch distillery.