Beyond the Arch — A Craft Spirits Road Trip
St. Louis is a city that understands legacy — from the Gateway Arch marking westward expansion to Anheuser-Busch's 170-year brewing history to the Cardinals' championship tradition. At Smoky Valley Distillery, we're building a different kind of legacy in Marquette, Kansas: a family-owned, grain-to-glass distillery producing 10 handcrafted spirits in a town of 500 people.
The drive west on I-70 is the same route the pioneers took. Six hours later, you'll find something they never imagined — Kernza Whiskey made from a grain that didn't exist until Kansas scientists created it.
Getting Here from St. Louis
Take I-70 W — one straight shot from St. Louis through Columbia, Kansas City, Topeka, and on to Salina. Exit at KS-4 and head west through Lindsborg to Marquette. Total drive time is about 5 hours and 45 minutes, making this an ideal Friday departure for a weekend trip.
Break up the drive with stops in Columbia (Katy Trail, college town dining), Kansas City (BBQ, of course), or Abilene (Eisenhower Presidential Library).
Buy Our Spirits
We're actively expanding distribution across Missouri through Vintegrity. In the meantime, Brook's Liquor in Salina, KS carries our complete lineup. At the distillery, our retail shop is open Thursday through Saturday — the only place to find our limited releases and distillery-exclusive bottles.
The Ultimate Great Plains Weekend
For St. Louis visitors, a Smoky Valley trip isn't a casual afternoon — it's a proper getaway. And that's exactly the point. Here's how to make the most of it:
Friday:
- Leave St. Louis in the morning or early afternoon
- Stop in Kansas City for BBQ dinner
- Continue to Marquette (about 3 hours from KC) and check into Preston House
Saturday:
- Morning: Guided tour and tasting at the distillery — $10/person, all 10 spirits
- Midday: Explore Marquette — Kansas Motorcycle Museum, historic murals, small-town charm
- Afternoon: Drive to Kanopolis Lake State Park for hiking among sandstone bluffs and canyons
- Evening: Return for live music at our 140-seat venue with a full bar
Sunday:
- Visit Lindsborg ("Little Sweden USA") — 25 minutes east — for Swedish pastries and art galleries
- Start the drive east, stopping at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene
- Lunch in Topeka or Kansas City, back in St. Louis by evening
A City That Knows Beer Deserves to Know Our Bourbon
St. Louis wrote the book on American brewing. But the craft spirits movement is telling a new story, and our chapter is one of the most distinctive in the Midwest. Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon is our best seller for a reason — it's smooth, approachable, and made entirely from Kansas grains. Our Rye Whiskey delivers the spice and complexity that serious spirits drinkers from St. Louis's growing cocktail scene will appreciate.
And for something truly adventurous, try our Pickle Vodka — it's become a cult favorite for Bloody Mary enthusiasts across the state line.