Where Kansas City's BBQ Spirit Meets Kansas Craft Spirits
Kansas City, Missouri knows smoke. From burnt ends at Joe's to ribs at Q39, the art of transforming simple ingredients through fire and patience is woven into the city's DNA. At Smoky Valley Distillery in Marquette, Kansas, we share that philosophy — our Smoked Jalapeno Vodka and Smoked Straight Bourbon are crafted with the same dedication to the craft that KC demands from its food.
Three hours west on I-70, the skyscrapers of the Power & Light District give way to the rolling Smoky Hills. It's a different world — one where the owners pour your tasting personally and every bottle is grain-to-glass.
Getting Here from Kansas City, MO
Cross the state line into Kansas and take I-70 W through Lawrence, Topeka, and Junction City. Continue past Abilene to Salina, then exit onto KS-4 W through Lindsborg to Marquette. The drive is almost entirely interstate — flat, fast, and easy.
If you're coming from downtown KC or the Country Club Plaza, budget about 3 hours. From the southern suburbs like Lee's Summit or Independence, you'll add a few minutes but can pick up I-70 quickly.
Buy Our Spirits
Missouri distribution through Vintegrity is expanding — ask your local liquor store to request Smoky Valley Distillery products. In the meantime, the nearest retail location is Brook's Liquor in Salina, KS, right along your I-70 route. They carry our full lineup of 10 handcrafted spirits.
For the complete selection — including limited releases and distillery exclusives — visit our retail shop in Marquette, open Thursday through Saturday.
A Weekend Away from the Metro
Kansas City has Union Station, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and some of the best nightlife between the coasts. But sometimes you need to trade the pace of Westport for the quiet of the Smoky Hills. Here's our recommended KC escape:
Friday:
- Leave Kansas City after work — you'll arrive in Marquette by 8 or 9 PM
- Check into Preston House (sleeps 11, walking distance to the distillery)
- Unwind on the porch with a bottle from our retail shop
Saturday:
- Morning: Walk to the distillery for a guided tour and tasting — 30-45 minutes, $10/person, all 10 spirits
- Lunch: Drive 25 minutes to Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA," for Swedish cuisine and galleries
- Afternoon: Hike at Kanopolis Lake State Park — sandstone bluffs, Faris Caves, and lake views
- Evening: Return to the distillery for live weekend music and cocktails
Sunday:
- Stop at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene on your way back
- Grab lunch in Junction City or Lawrence
- Back in KC by early afternoon
From Power & Light to Grain-to-Glass
KC's craft scene is thriving — but what we offer in Marquette is something the metro can't replicate. Our Kernza Whiskey is made from a revolutionary perennial wheat grain developed at The Land Institute in Salina. Our Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon has become a favorite of KC visitors who appreciate a spirit with genuine Kansas roots. And our Pickle Vodka has sparked more than a few debates about the best Bloody Mary base in the state.
Come taste what Kansas is distilling.