Thornton Distilling Co. sits in the south Chicago suburb of Thornton, Illinois, occupying a former industrial space on East Margaret Street that they’ve transformed into a craft distillery and tasting room. Founded by Jason Coopwood in 2017, this operation represents Illinois’ growing craft spirits scene outside the city limits. Coopwood, who previously worked in corporate finance, decided to pursue his passion for distilling after years of home experimenting and studying traditional American whiskey-making techniques. The distillery focuses primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey, using traditional copper pot stills and locally sourced grains when possible. Coopwood handles much of the production himself, maintaining the hands-on approach that attracted him to craft distilling in the first place. The facility includes both production space and a welcoming tasting room where visitors can sample their spirits and learn about the distilling process directly from the people making it. What started as one person’s career pivot has grown into a neighborhood destination that’s helping put Thornton on the map for craft spirits enthusiasts. The operation remains deliberately small-scale, allowing for experimentation with different mash bills and aging techniques while building a loyal local following who appreciate having quality spirits made right in their backyard.