Waterford Stillhouse

Overview of the Distillery

Waterford Stillhouse is a family-owned microdistillery in the heart of Waterford, WI, with a cozy tasting room and small-batch releases of bourbon, vodka, gin, and a Light Whiskey. The distillery opened its tasting room in July 2021 as Racine County's first distillery since Prohibition, and combines local collaborations, artisanal distillation, and an active role in the town's social life.

History

The adventure began as early as 2010 when ownership planted roots in Waterford and slowly became involved in the local community. In March 2020 the distillery secured state and federal permits to distill; at the same time, the historic building, about 100 years old, was renovated and production temporarily shifted to hand sanitizer production to support local businesses during the pandemic. In July 2021 Waterford Stillhouse opened its tasting room and could thus celebrate being Racine County's first and only distillery since Prohibition. Since the opening year, the distillery's small-batch products have gained attention in spirit competitions, and the distillery has developed local initiatives such as Bourbon Society and regular events in the tasting room.

Raw Materials and Production

Waterford Stillhouse works in small batches and combines own distillation with collaborations. Premium Vodka starts as 190-proof Grain Neutral Spirits, distilled at least five times, then redistilled on the distillery's 26-gallon column still and filtered through a five-foot column packed with activated carbon. This process typically spans three days: one day for distillation, one day for filtration, and one day for bottling, and a vodka batch yields about 40 bottles. The bourbon's mash bill is distilled by 45th Parallel Distillery in New Richmond, WI, while Waterford Stillhouse oversees the aging; the bourbon is aged in 15-gallon barrels from a family-owned cooperage in Park Rapids, MN and bottled barrel-by-barrel. The distillery also experiments with infused products such as Lemon Vodka, where fresh lemon peels are packed into the column for distillation, as well as barrel-finishing of vodka in used Bourbon barrels.

Maturation and Barrel Types

Barrel choices play a central role: Bourbon is aged in small 15-gallon barrels from a Park Rapids cooperage, and the distillery releases its Bourbon editions one barrel at a time. The vodka has been stored in used Bourbon barrels for over a year in their barrel-finished variant, which adds a touch of caramel and wood character. Light Whiskey is aged in the distillery's used Bourbon barrels. The distillery supervises aging themselves and continually assesses when a barrel is ready for bottling.

Whiskeys

The range consists of small-batch Premium Vodka, a Lemon Vodka, a Barrel-Finished Vodka, New American Gin, a Light Whiskey, and a small-batch Bourbon released as single-barrel releases. In addition to spirits, house-made products such as simple syrups, bourbon caramel sauce, dehydrated lime, and pure vanilla extract are also sold. The products are available in the tasting room and at select local retailers, and several releases come in limited runs.

Whisky	Type / Series	Alcohol	Age	Barrel and Style	Flavor Profile	Status
Bourbon	Bourbon		Typically 20-28 months	15-gallon barrels	A single-barrel bourbon, with the mash bill distilled by 45th Parallel Distillery in New Richmond, WI, and aged in 15-gallon barrels from a family-owned cooperage in Park Rapids, MN. Each barrel is bottled separately; the whiskey is not cold-filtered and is bottled at the distillery's 'optimal proof'.	Limited; Core range; Released as single-barrel releases; 150 bottles
Premium Vodka	Vodka				Starts as 190-proof Grain Neutral Spirits (distilled at least 5 times), redistilled on the distillery's 26-gallon column still and filtered through a five-foot activated-carbon column. Production is done in small batches; a vodka batch yields about 40 bottles.	Current; Core range; Available in the tasting room and at selected local retailers
Lemon Vodka	Vodka (flavored)				Fresh lemon peels are packed into the column for distillation, and the signature vodka is run through the zest to give a clear, natural citrus flavor without added sugar or artificial flavors.	Limited; Available 'when available' in the tasting room
Barrel-Finished Vodka	Vodka (barrel)		Over 1 year in used Bourbon barrel	Used Bourbon barrel; finish: Aged over a year	Award-winning; vodka that has spent over a year in used Bourbon barrels to absorb light caramel- and wood-character.	Current; Available in the tasting room and in limited batches
New American Gin	Gin				A New American Gin with a botanical blend that highlights citrus and delicate hibiscus notes alongside classic juniper, developed for use in cocktails or as a sipping spirit.	Current; Core range; Available in the tasting room
Light Whiskey	Light Whiskey	40 %		Spent Bourbon barrels	A Light Whiskey distilled from a 100% corn mash bill to 179 proof at Eagle Park Distillery and subsequently aged in the distillery's used Bourbon barrels. Bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV).	Sold out; Core range; Currently sold out, restocking underway

The Whiskey Styles and Flavor Profiles

The overarching style ranges from a very clean and crisp vodka with a hint of sweetness from corn to the barrel-aged vodka profile, where caramel and a hint of smoke come through. The gin profile carries citrus and delicate hibiscus notes atop the juniper character. Light Whiskey is described as sweet and very smooth. These directions recur across the distillery's small-batch releases.

Visit the Distillery

The tasting room on Main Street offers pours, 2 oz. servings, flights, and cocktail experiences created by the distillery's mixologists. The hours are Thursday 18:00–21:00 and Friday–Saturday 14:00–22:00; Monday–Wednesday and Sunday are closed. There is the option to purchase bottles, merchandise, and small bar accessories in the tasting room. Bourbon Society offers member evenings Saturdays 16:00–19:00 and quarterly member tastings. Outdoor seating is available in season.

The stated hours are Monday–Tuesday–Wednesday: Closed; Thursday 18:00-21:00; Friday-Saturday 14:00-22:00; Sunday: Closed.

Philosophy and Craft

Waterford Stillhouse emphasizes small-batch production, local roots, and artisanal control of processes such as fidus-redistillation, activated carbon filtration, and direct oversight of barrel aging. The company prioritizes collaboration with regional partners and the restoration of the historic building as part of its local engagement.

Awards and Recognitions

Gold Medal (Gold, Light Whiskey)
Best of Class (Best of Class, Light Whiskey)
Best American Craft Whiskey (Best American Craft Whiskey, Light Whiskey)