Bowright Whiskey Company sits on Main Street in Lake City, a small northern Michigan town surrounded by forests and lakes. Founded by Jim Bowright, a former automotive engineer who left Detroit’s corporate world to chase his passion for craft distilling, the operation opened its doors in 2018 in a restored 1920s building that once housed the town’s general store. The brick-walled space maintains its historic character while housing modern distilling equipment, producing small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and seasonal spirits that reflect Michigan’s agricultural heritage. Bowright’s journey from engineer to distiller wasn’t overnight. After years of perfecting recipes in his garage and convincing skeptical city officials that a distillery could work in their quiet town, he finally secured the necessary permits and funding. His engineering background shows in the precise, methodical approach to every aspect of production, from mash bill calculations to barrel aging protocols. The operation remains intentionally small, with Bowright handling most production himself alongside a small team of local employees who’ve become invested in the craft. Visitors find themselves in an intimate setting where you’re likely to meet Bowright himself during tours and tastings. The production floor sits adjacent to a small tasting room with exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood furnishings that echo the building’s history. The atmosphere feels more like visiting a craftsman’s workshop than a commercial distillery, and that personal connection is exactly what Bowright hoped to create when he chose to build something meaningful in his adopted hometown.