Star Union Spirits operates out of a shared commercial space at 300 5th Street in Peru, Illinois, bringing small-batch distilling to the Illinois Valley. Founded by local entrepreneur Mike Templeton, who transitioned from a career in manufacturing to pursue his passion for craft spirits, the operation launched in 2019 with a focus on producing vodka, gin, and whiskey. The distillery runs lean with Templeton handling most operations himself, from mashing to bottling, in a compact setup that prioritizes quality control over volume production. Templeton’s journey into distilling started as a hobby that grew serious when he realized the Illinois Valley lacked a local craft distillery despite having agricultural resources and a community that appreciated quality spirits. He spent two years navigating licensing requirements and perfecting his recipes before opening to the public. The operation reflects his manufacturing background with precise attention to process control and consistency, though he’s quick to acknowledge he’s still learning the art side of distilling. Visitors find a working distillery where you can actually watch production happen rather than a polished tasting room experience. Templeton often runs tastings personally, explaining his methods and the challenges of starting a distillery from scratch in a smaller Illinois town. The atmosphere feels more like visiting someone’s serious hobby workshop than a commercial operation, which some visitors love for its authenticity while others might prefer more formal presentation.