Streven Distilling Company sits on North Detroit Street in Warsaw, Indiana, where founders Steve and Renee Linn turned their passion for craft spirits into Kosciusko County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. The husband-and-wife team opened their doors in 2017 after Steve, a longtime home distiller, decided to go professional with encouragement from friends who’d been enjoying his creations for years. Their 2,000-square-foot facility houses custom copper stills and produces small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin. The Linns didn’t come from the spirits industry—Steve worked in manufacturing while Renee handled the business side of their venture. They spent two years navigating federal and state licensing before they could legally distill, learning the regulatory maze that keeps many would-be distillers as hobbyists. Steve does the distilling himself, controlling every step from mashing to bottling, while Renee manages operations and customer relations. They source their corn locally when possible and age their whiskeys in 15-53 gallon barrels, keeping production deliberately small. The tasting room feels like visiting neighbors who happen to make exceptional spirits. You’re likely to meet Steve or Renee during your visit, and they genuinely enjoy talking about their process and the challenges of starting a distillery from scratch. The space is intimate—maybe a dozen people max—which means tastings feel personal rather than rushed. They’ve built a loyal local following, and their bourbon has started winning recognition at regional competitions.