From the Trailhead to the Tasting Room
Independence, Missouri holds a unique place in American history — it's where the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail all began. Generations of pioneers left this town heading west into Kansas, chasing something new on the frontier. At Smoky Valley Distillery, we're 210 miles down that same westward road in Marquette, Kansas — and what we're making is worth the journey.
Harry Truman called Independence home. We think he'd have appreciated a glass of Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon after a long day — the man knew something about straight talk and quality craftsmanship.
Getting Here from Independence
Take I-70 W from Independence through Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka, continuing west past Junction City and Abilene to Salina. Exit onto KS-4 W and follow it through Lindsborg to Marquette. The drive is about 3 hours — mostly interstate with the final scenic stretch through the Smoky Hills.
You'll pass through some of the same territory that wagon trains crossed in the 1840s and 1850s. The landscape opens up dramatically west of Topeka, and by the time you reach the Smoky Hills, you'll understand why the pioneers kept going.
Buy Our Spirits
Missouri distribution through Vintegrity is in the works. The nearest current retailer is Brook's Liquor in Salina, KS, right along your route on I-70. Our distillery retail shop in Marquette is open Thursday through Saturday with all 10 spirits plus distillery exclusives.
History Lovers' Weekend
Independence is a town that respects history — the Truman Library, Missouri Town 1855, the National Frontier Trails Museum. Here's a weekend that adds craft distilling history to your list:
Friday:
- Depart Independence after work, arriving in Marquette in about 3 hours
- Check into Preston House — a historic home that sleeps 11
- Walk the quiet streets of Marquette and appreciate a town that hasn't changed much since the pioneers passed through
Saturday:
- Morning: Distillery tour and tasting — learn how we produce 10 spirits grain-to-glass in our 1919 building
- Midday: Explore Marquette's Kansas Motorcycle Museum and historic downtown murals
- Afternoon: Drive to Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA" — the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and Swedish craft shops
- Evening: Live music at our venue — dinner and cocktails in a 140-seat space
Sunday:
- Hike Kanopolis Lake State Park (30 minutes south) — sandstone formations and prairie overlooks
- Stop at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene on the way home — a fitting presidential bookend to your Truman Library visits
- Back in Independence by late afternoon
Pioneering Spirits in Every Sense
Independence sent pioneers west to build something new. That's exactly what Stan and Michele Von Strohe did when they opened Smoky Valley Distillery in January 2020 — built something from scratch in a small Kansas town where no craft distillery had existed before.
Our Kernza Whiskey represents that same pioneering spirit, made from a revolutionary perennial wheat grain that's changing agriculture. Our Wild Plum Vodka uses fruit from the same prairie hills the wagon trains crossed. And our Smoked Straight Bourbon carries the kind of bold, honest flavor that the people who settled this part of the country would have respected.