Glacial Lakes Distillery sits in downtown Watertown, South Dakota, launched in 2013 by Todd and Michelle Syverson as the first legal distillery in Codington County since Prohibition. Todd, who previously worked in agricultural business, partnered with his wife to bring craft spirits to the glacial lakes region of northeastern South Dakota. They set up shop in a converted commercial space on 6th Avenue, installing a custom copper still system designed for small-batch production of premium spirits using locally sourced grains from area farmers. The Syversons spent years researching distillation techniques and perfecting their recipes before opening their doors to the public. Todd handles the production side while Michelle manages the business operations and tasting room experience. Their philosophy centers on creating authentic spirits that reflect the agricultural heritage of South Dakota, working directly with local grain producers to source corn, wheat, and rye. The distillery focuses on traditional American whiskeys and vodka, aging their bourbon and rye in new charred oak barrels in their on-site rickhouse. Visitors find a working production facility where you can see the entire process from grain to bottle. The tasting room showcases their lineup of spirits in a relaxed atmosphere where the Syversons often personally guide tastings and share stories about their journey into distilling. The operation remains intentionally small-scale, allowing them to maintain hands-on control over every aspect of production while building relationships with customers who appreciate locally crafted spirits.