Grand River Spirits has quietly run its still in Carbondale, Ill., since December 2012. The tiny company launched its first product, an un-aged corn whiskey called Red Eye Moonshine, in March. Yet that’s just the beginning for Grand River Spirits, according to co-owner and head distiller Karen Sisulak Binder.
Grand River will add to the Red Eye line next month with two flavored moonshines – one with apple pie flavors and the other with hot cinnamon. Those will be followed by a pair of whiskies: Grand River Baby Bourbon, made from 100 percent corn, and Grand River Baby Whiskey, distilled from corn and barley. The whiskeys are aged for four to six months in 15- and 30-gallon barrels.
Currently, Grand River is only distributed in Illinois. Thirsty drinkers can find it at Randall’s Wines & Spirits in Fairview Heights and other southern Illinois liquor stores. However, Binder hopes to see Grand River products on shelves in St. Louis in the coming months. “We’d love to be there for Christmas,” Binder said.
This article appears in August 2013.