Witness Distillery sits on West Gallatin Street in Vandalia, Illinois, a town that once served as the state capital. Founded by Dustin and Brandi Horman in 2017, this craft distillery emerged from Dustin’s passion for distilling that began as a hobby during his college years. The couple converted a former auto repair shop into their 2,500-square-foot facility, complete with a custom 250-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. They focus on small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka, with plans to expand their whiskey offerings as their spirits age. The Hormans didn’t take the traditional path to distilling. Dustin worked in manufacturing while developing his distilling skills, and Brandi handled the business side while maintaining her day job initially. They spent two years navigating licensing requirements and converting their building before opening to the public. Their master distiller approach emphasizes local ingredients when possible and traditional copper pot distillation methods. The facility includes their production area, a tasting room with exposed brick walls and industrial touches that nod to the building’s automotive past. Visitors get an authentic small-town distillery experience where you’ll likely meet the founders themselves. The atmosphere is unpretentious and educational, with tours that take you through their entire process from grain to glass. You can taste their current offerings while learning about their aging whiskey program and future releases. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow as easily as the spirits, and you’ll leave understanding not just what they make, but why they chose this path.