Premiere Distillery sits on St. Paul Avenue in Gurnee, Illinois, about an hour north of Chicago. Founded by Jim and Linda Wappes in 2013, this craft operation emerged from their passion for creating premium spirits after Jim’s career in manufacturing and Linda’s background in hospitality. The distillery operates out of an industrial space that they’ve converted into a working production facility with a welcoming tasting area. They focus primarily on whiskey and bourbon production, using traditional copper pot stills alongside modern equipment to craft their spirits. The Wappes family started this venture after years of home distilling experimentation and extensive research into traditional distillation methods. Jim’s engineering background proved invaluable in designing their production setup, while Linda’s hospitality experience shaped their approach to visitors. The couple wanted to bring craft distilling to Lake County, filling a gap in the northern Illinois spirits scene. Their master distiller brings years of experience from larger operations, helping them scale up recipes while maintaining the hands-on approach that defines craft distilling. Visitors find a working distillery where production happens alongside tastings and tours. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational, with the owners often present to share their story and knowledge. You can see the entire process from grain to bottle, and the small scale means you’re likely to meet the people who actually made what you’re tasting. The operation focuses on quality over quantity, with careful attention to each batch and a commitment to aging spirits properly rather than rushing products to market.