CRAFT DISTILLERY

Restless Spirits Distilling Company

North Kansas City,
Missouri
— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🥃
Small Barrel Magic
15-gallon barrels create complexity in months
⚙️
Founder Led
Chris and Ryan pour every tasting
🌾
Missouri Grain
Local corn and wheat when harvest allows
🔬
Lab Not Lounge
Production area tastings with working stills
📏
True Small Batch
Only 200 bottles produced each week
🎯
Education Focused
Technical insights over entertainment value
📞 (816) 492-6868
🌐 http://restlessspiritsdistilling.com/
📍 109 E 18th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Industrial Warehouse Operation Makes Real Missouri Whiskey

Restless Spirits Distilling Company sits in a converted warehouse space in North Kansas City, Missouri, where founders Chris Seck and Ryan Maybee launched their craft distillery operation in 2015. Both came from corporate backgrounds—Seck from finance and Maybee from engineering—but shared a passion for spirits that led them to leave their day jobs and dive into distilling. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses custom copper stills and fermentation tanks where they produce bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin using locally sourced Missouri corn and wheat when possible. The journey started when the two friends began experimenting with home distillation and realized they had something special. After navigating Kansas City’s licensing requirements and securing their location in an industrial area that’s become a hub for local craft businesses, they spent nearly two years perfecting their recipes before opening to the public. Master distiller Chris Seck handles the production side while Maybee focuses on operations and distribution, creating a lean but dedicated operation that prioritizes quality control over rapid expansion. The distillery offers a straightforward tasting room experience where you can sample their core lineup while learning about their grain-to-glass process. The space maintains an industrial feel with exposed brick and steel, but the team has created a welcoming environment where you can watch production through large windows. They’ve built a loyal local following by focusing on consistent quality and staying connected to Kansas City’s growing craft spirits scene.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT SETS THEM APART

Fifteen Gallon Barrels Change Everything

What sets Restless Spirits apart is their commitment to staying truly small-batch while most craft distilleries scale up rapidly. They operate with a 250-gallon copper pot still and produce only about 200 bottles per week, allowing them to maintain hands-on control over every aspect of production. Their bourbon uses a high-corn mash bill with locally sourced Missouri grain when harvest allows, and they age in 15 and 30-gallon barrels rather than standard 53-gallon barrels, which accelerates the aging process and creates more wood contact. This approach means their bourbon develops complex flavors in 18-24 months rather than the typical 4-6 years, though they’re also laying down traditional barrels for longer aging experiments.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

No Tourist Polish Just Pure Craft

The tasting experience at Restless Spirits feels more like visiting a working lab than a polished tourist destination. You’ll taste flights in the production area where the smell of fermenting grain mingles with oak barrel char, and either Chris or Ryan often leads tastings personally, explaining their distillation philosophy and answering technical questions about their process. The flights include their core spirits—bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin—with detailed explanations of mash bills and production techniques. The space is compact and unpretentious, with concrete floors and industrial lighting, but the focus on education and the founders’ genuine enthusiasm for their craft makes it engaging for spirits enthusiasts.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

For Serious Whiskey Folk Absolutely Worth It

Restless Spirits appeals most to whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch production and want to understand the technical side of distilling. You’ll get more educational value here than entertainment—this isn’t the place for large groups or casual drinkers looking for a party atmosphere. The tastings offer genuine insight into craft distillation methods and the challenges of small-scale production. If you’re interested in how grain-to-glass operations actually work and enjoy talking shop with passionate distillers, you’ll find the visit worthwhile. However, if you’re expecting elaborate tours or polished presentations, you might prefer larger distillery operations in the area.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead before visiting since they don’t maintain regular public hours and often focus on production during weekdays. Weekend tastings are more reliable, but it’s worth confirming availability since Chris and Ryan handle most operations themselves. The location can be tricky to find—look for the industrial building with minimal signage rather than a flashy distillery sign. Parking is available on-site but the entrance isn’t immediately obvious from the street. If you’re serious about spirits, ask about their barrel aging experiments and small-batch variations, as they often have limited quantities of experimental spirits available for tasting that aren’t part of regular production.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Restless Spirits Distilling Company — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation for tastings?
Yes, definitely call ahead since they don’t maintain regular public hours. Chris and Ryan often focus on production during weekdays, so weekend visits are more reliable but still require confirmation.
Why do their spirits taste mature despite shorter aging times?
They use 15 and 30-gallon barrels instead of standard 53-gallon barrels, which increases the surface area contact between spirit and wood. This accelerates flavor development, allowing their bourbon to develop complexity in 18-24 months rather than 4-6 years.
Can I see the actual distilling process during my visit?
If you visit during production days, you can watch the distillation process through large windows in the tasting area. Chris and Ryan often explain what’s happening with the stills and fermentation tanks during tours.

GETTING THERE

Find Restless Spirits Distilling Company

📍109 E 18th Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116, USA

 — 

📞 (816) 492-6868

The 50 States of Whiskey

Find a Craft Distillery

Search from nearly 1,500 Distilleries
in all 50 States

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

SMART BUYING GUIDES

The Right Gear Matters

Honest recommendations on everything around the bottle.

The best ice molds and ice makers for bourbon lovers
Best Clear Ice Makers for Bourbon (2026)

Read More →

The Best Bourbon Decanters: A No-Nonsense Guide to What’s Actually Worth Buying

Read More →

The Best Home Bar Carts and Bar Cabinets for Bourbon Lovers (2026 Guide)

Read More →

Best Bourbon Smoker Kits (2026) – Worth the Smoke?

Read More →

whiskey glasses
Best Whiskey Glasses for Bourbon: 5 Glasses Every Bourbon Drinker Should Own

Read More →

NEAT OR NOT

Whiskey Reviews

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

KEEP EXPLORING

Distileries Near Restless Spirits Distilling Company

Whiskey, Bourbon

Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room

Hermann,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.

Burnt Barrel Brewery, Distillery & Mead

Lake St Louis,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Moonshine

Tall Pines Moonshine Distillery – Missouri

Noel,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin

Square One Brewery & Distillery

St. Louis,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Vodka, Gin, Liqueur

Pinckney Bend Distillery

New Haven,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Vodka, Moonshine

R/Farm Distilling Co.

Mound City,
MO
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.