Production places
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Barnstormer Distillery
Brief Overview of the Distillery
Barnstormer Distillery sits on a 22-acre farm near Rockford, IL, and conducts its production inside an active aircraft hangar. The distillery's identity is tied to the aviation heritage: Master Distiller Tim brings decades of experience from the cockpit, maintenance, and aviation management into a handcrafted, experimental production, where local ingredients and unconventional barrel finishes meet in whiskey, bourbon, and special releases.
History
The distillery's tone is set by a 'barnstorming' spirit: challenging conventions rather than following them. Master Distiller Tim, with over 40 years of experience in aviation as a pilot, mechanic, and former airline CEO, has transferred an innovation culture to spirit production. Early releases include 40 Winks Whiskey, described as the distillery's first released spirit and later earning double gold medals in 2020 and 2021. Since then, the range has grown to include a variety of corn-, rye-, and barrel-finished whiskeys, with many ingredients grown or supplied locally from Hazard Free Farms and the surrounding area.
Raw Materials and Production
The production philosophy emphasizes craftsmanship over automation: there are no computer-controlled processes, and Master Distiller Tim evaluates distillates by taste, smell, and touch. The corn compositions range from 100% corn to high-rye setups (e.g., Hazlet Rye), and around 95% of the grain is sourced from within 20 miles. The distillery uses specially designed stills called EVE and AISLING, and employs a unique 'cold distillation' technique to create stable, flavorful spirits. The practical elements of production combine the farm's ingredients with small-batch processes and frequent experimental finishing trials.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Maturation and barrel experiments are central: the distillery works with its own bourbon casks and with finishes in barrel types such as maple syrup barrels, rum barrels (Dutch 45), and reused Belgian quad beer barrels from local breweries. Some releases are double-barreled or barrel-proof, and several small-batch or single-barrel experiments highlight how sustained cask-aging and repeated use of casks create different layers of flavor.
Whiskies
The portfolio ranges from corn- and wheat-whiskeys to bourbons, ryes, and a range of barrel-finished experiments. Core lineup includes names such as Tiger Moth, Silent Wings, G-Force and Barnstormer Bourbon, while limited releases feature single-barrel/barrel-proof items such as 40 Winks and special finish editions. The distillery also combines farm-series products with special small-batch releases, where several offerings are exclusive to the tasting room.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask & Style | Tasting Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger Moth Corn Whiskey | Corn whiskey | 55.8 % | 3+yr | 40 Winks barrel | Nose: Fresh-harvested corn with a hint of browned butter and undertones of honey.; Taste: Sweet corn, caramel and vanilla that round toward lightly roasted toffee.; Finish: Ends on the back palate with cream corn and oak-spiced herbal notes. | Core Range |
| Silent Wings Wheat Whiskey | Wheat whiskey | 45 % | 3yr | Nose: Sweet honey on the nose.; Taste: Soft and approachable mouthfeel with hints of toasted wheat, caramel and a touch of fruit.; Finish: Soft, lightly nutty finish. | Core Range | |
| G-Force Whiskey | Whiskey (blend) | 45 % | Blend of various ages | Nose: Sweet caramel on the nose with a smoky edge in some editions.; Taste: Sweet corn, vanilla and caramel with a rounded, smooth mouthfeel.; Finish: Very smooth finish with minimal burn. | Core Range | |
| G-Force | Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels | Finished whiskey; G-Force finishes | 40 % | Blend of various ages | Maple syrup barrel; finish: Maple-syrup finish that adds a rich creamy sweetness | Small batch release, blend of 2 barrels, 375ml.; Nose: Maple on the nose with extra sweetness.; Taste: Richer, creamy sweetness over the familiar corn/vanilla profile.; Finish: Long finish characterized by maple syrup. |
| 40 Winks Whiskey | Barrel Proof | Bourbon-style whiskey; Limited Collection | 60 % | 6yr | 40 Winks barrel; finish: Double distilled and double barreled | Exclusive barrel-proof release and former flagship; double gold 2020 & 2021.; Nose: Buttery, butterscotch and toffee with hints of licorice, dark cherries and vanilla plus a warm smoky character.; Taste: Rich and buttery mouthfeel with layers of butterscotch, toffee, caramel and darker fruits.; Finish: Long, smooth and complex finish with smoke and warming spices. |
| Barnstormer Bourbon | Bourbon | 45 % | 3yr | Nose: An earthy leather note followed by banana bread on the nose.; Taste: Soft mouthfeel with sweet oak and candied ginger.; Finish: Ends with short, crisp notes of shortbread and tobacco. | Core Range | |
| Barnstormer Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Bourbon, barrel proof | 58.4 % | 3yr | Barrel-proof edition of Barnstormer Bourbon.; Nose: Crème soda on the nose with spicy warmth.; Taste: Full-bodied and warmly spiced mouthfeel with pepper and walnut and a hint of star anise.; Finish: Drying, with notes of light leather, chocolate and dried cherries. | Core Range | |
| FH-227, Whiskey, Finished in a Rum Barrel | High-rye whiskey (rum finish) | 50 % | 4+yr | Dutch 45 Rum Barrel; finish: Rum-finish to bring warm spices and caramel tones | Small batch of 2 barrels, rum finish.; Nose: Sweetness from rum and light spicy warmth.; Taste: Layers of pepper, caramel, vanilla and crème-soda mouthfeel.; Finish: Ends with citrus and caramelized brown sugar notes. | Limited; Distillery Release |
| Barnstormer Rye, Barrel Proof | Rye, barrel proof | 56.8 % | 3yr | Barrel-proof edition made with Hazlet Rye.; Nose: Strong, spicy upfront with hints of florals.; Taste: Forward spice followed by a softer, buttery midline with vanilla.; Finish: Slightly floral and soft ending. | Core Range | |
| G-Force | Finished in a Belgian Quad Beer Barrel from Lena Brewery | Single barrel, barrel strength finish; G-Force finishes | 57.2 % | Blend of various ages | Belgian Quad beer barrel (Lena Brewery); finish: One year finish in barrel, previously used for beer and whiskey | Single barrel / barrel strength, finished for 1 year; unique cask journeys.; Nose: Layer of dried fruit, dark sugar and spice from early barrel history.; Taste: Combination of caramel, vanilla and sweet corn with beer-influenced fruit notes.; Finish: Long finish with notes of chocolate and spice. |
Whisky Styles and Flavor Profile
Across several products, three flavor directions recur: a sweet core from corn and oak (caramel, vanilla, toffee), spicy and warming notes in high-rye and barrel-proof editions (pepper, cinnamon, clove), and fruity elements from the cask and finish (dried fruit, dark cherries, citrus). These directions appear in both core releases and in the many barrel-finish experiments.
Visit the Distillery
The public can visit the distillery and try a guided Tour & Tasting, which lasts about 1 hour and costs $10. Tours are led by Master Distiller Tim and take place in the airplane hangar as well as around the property's several buildings; tours are seasonal and suspended in winter with a planned restart in May 2026. The tasting room is open Friday–Sunday with weekend dining options from The Brasserie. Reservations are recommended; phone and email are used for booking, and tours are usually limited to 15–20 people with private options for larger groups.
The stated hours are Tasting room: Friday 15:00-20:00 (food 16:00-19:00), Saturday 11:00-20:00 (food 12:00-19:00), Sunday 11:00-17:00 (food 11:00-16:30). Tours: will resume in May 2026; tasting room open year-round.
Philosophy and Craft
The distillery's stated values are innovation, craftsmanship, and local rooting. Production prioritizes human control over automation; large portions of the grain are grown or sourced locally, and the experimental element—from 'cold distillation' to unconventional barrel finishes—is a deliberate strategic choice to create unique spirit experiences.
Prices and Accolades
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Double Gold Medal (2020, Double Gold Medal, 40 Winks Whiskey)
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Double Gold Medal (2021, Double Gold Medal, 40 Winks Whiskey)