Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.
Detroit City Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Detroit City Distillery is an urban, craft distillery in Detroit's Eastern Market, producing small-batch bourbon, rye and other spirits from local ingredients. With production in historic buildings, a tasting room on Riopelle Street, and a separate production and events location (The Whiskey Factory), the distillery combines local agricultural inputs, copper pot-stills, and a strong tradition of barrel finishing and limited releases.
History
The history begins with eight childhood friends who wanted to make spirits "the old-fashioned way" and revive the spirits tradition in Eastern Market. They built production facilities and a tasting room in old slaughterhouse and industrial buildings and have since expanded with The Whiskey Factory and the events venue 100 Proof in a former Stroh’s Ice Cream factory. During COVID-19 they briefly shifted in 2020 to produce hand sanitizer (25,000 gallons) and released Shutdown Bourbon that same year. In 2024, the distillery celebrates its ten-year anniversary with monthly limited-edition releases and anniversary events.
Raw Materials and Production
The raw materials include locally grown, often organic corn and rye (Washtenaw County mentioned as origin). Several of the whiskies use specialty roasted barley in mash bills. Distillation takes place in small copper pot-stills, supporting a small-batch, craft-oriented approach. The distillery works with both fixed mash bills (documented for Butcher’s Cut and Homegrown Rye), blending between its own and purchased whiskeys (e.g., Two Faced), single-barrel releases, and repeated experiments with barrel finishing and collaborations with local suppliers.
Maturation and Barrel Types
Many core expressions are aged at least 4 years. Maturation includes repeated experiments with finishes: Butcher’s Cut has been finished in brandy barrels (peach, cherry, apple) as seasonal releases, and Honey Bourbon is finished in a special Detroit honey barrel in collaboration with local beekeepers. Anniversary releases are assembled by blending selected bourbon barrels to create a small-batch feel.
Whiskies
The core range includes Butcher’s Cut Bourbon, Homegrown Rye, Two Faced Blended Bourbon, and the annual Honey Bourbon. In addition to these base releases, the distillery frequently produces limited bottles: single-barrels, seasonal finishes (brandy- and honey-barrels), anniversary blends such as Ten Year Anniversary Blend, and a few experimental spirits and ready-to-serve cocktails.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butcher's Cut Bourbon | Bourbon | 50 % | Aged 4 years or more | Bourbon created to honor the founder's grandfather with a documented mash bill and local, organic ingredients. Distilled on small copper pot-stills in Eastern Market and aged at least 4 years.; Nose: Notes of toasted pecan and caramel; Taste: Robust body with vanilla, smoked oak and candied almonds; Finish: Spicy high-rye finish with orange peel and pink peppercorn | Active; Core Range | |
| Homegrown Rye | Rye | 47 % | Aged 4 years or more | Rye-dominant mash bill produced from locally grown, organic rye from Washtenaw County; aged at least 4 years.; Nose: Spicy, buttery with hints of caramel and coffee; Taste: Spicy, buttery body | Active; Core Range | |
| Two Faced Bourbon | Blended Straight Bourbon | 50 % | Aged 4 years or more | A blend that unites Michigan whiskey and Kentucky wheated bourbon; originally their first release and reintroduced as part of the Ten Year Anniversary Series.; Nose: Vanilla and citrus; Taste: Sweet, toffee and medium oak with marzipan and mild peppercorn; Finish: Long, mild peppercorn spice finish | Active; Core Range | |
| Honey Bourbon | Bourbon (honey-finished) | 50 % | Aged 4 years or more | Detroit honey barrel; finish: Finished in a Detroit honey barrel with honey from rooftop beehives and in collaboration with Bees in the D; released annually. | Detroit-specific bourbon finished with local honey and a recurring annual release; also released as a ready-to-serve Honey Old Fashioned cocktail bottle.; Nose: Floral aroma with toasted oak and vanilla; Taste: Sweet raw honey, toffee and toasted oak; Finish: Smooth honeyed finish with warm caramel and hints of spice | Active; Core Range |
| Shutdown Bourbon | Four Grain Bourbon | 60 % | 120 proof four-grain bourbon first released in response to the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020; later re-released as a limited release. | Limited | ||
| Ten Year Anniversary Blend | Bourbon Blend; Ten Year Anniversary Series | Bourbon barrels; finish: Blend composed of ten selected bourbon barrels to mark the ten-year anniversary. | Anniversary product composed of favorite expressions from the distillery's bourbon barrels, released as part of the ten-year celebration. | Limited | ||
| Brandy Barrel Butcher's Cut (Peach) | Bourbon (barrel finish) | Brandy barrel; finish: Butcher’s Cut finished in peach brandy barrels as a summer special (available June 2024). | Limited brandy-finish of Butcher’s Cut designed for the summer season. | Limited | ||
| Brandy Barrel Butcher's Cut (Cherry) | Bourbon (barrel finish) | Brandy barrel; finish: Butcher’s Cut finished in cherry brandy barrels. | Limited brandy-finish edition of Butcher’s Cut with cherry finish. | Limited | ||
| Brandy Barrel Butcher's Cut (Apple) | Bourbon (barrel finish) | Brandy barrel; finish: Butcher’s Cut finished in apple brandy barrels. | Limited brandy-finish edition of Butcher’s Cut with apple finish. | Limited | ||
| Back-to-Back Birthday Blend | Blend (Bou-Rye / Bourbon-Rye blend) | Anniversary blend composed of bourbon- and rye- expressions from the inventory to celebrate recurring Double-Gold medals. | Limited |
Styles and Flavor Profile of the Whiskies
The distillery's expressions range from nutty and caramel notes (toasted pecan, toffee) and vanilla to spicy rye notes (high-rye spice, pink peppercorn). Several releases show toasted/smoked oak; brandy-barrel finishes bring fruity notes (peach, cherry, apple), and Honey Bourbon carries floral and honeyed aromas.
Visit the Distillery
The tasting room in Historic Eastern Market (2462 Riopelle) is open with set bar hours, and The Whiskey Factory (1000 Maple) offers guided tours. Public tours cost $20 per person and run Saturdays at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 when available. There is also a paid hands-on "Blend Your Own Bourbon" experience (BYOB) led by Brand Ambassador Michael on Thursdays at 18:00 with a BYOB gift card of $100 per person. Visits include shop sales, tour gift cards, and private booking options via the event venue 100 Proof.
The stated hours are Tasting Room: Monday – CLOSED; Tuesday – 11:00–16:00; Wednesday – 16:00–22:00; Thursday – 16:00–22:00; Friday – 16:00–23:00; Saturday – 10:00–23:00; Sunday – 12:00–18:00. The Whiskey Factory tours: Saturdays at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 when available.
Philosophy and Craft
The distillery's values focus on small-batch craftsmanship, use of local and often organic ingredients, respect for Detroit's industrial and cultural heritage, and an explorative approach to blending and barrel finishes. They integrate historic settings in both production and events.
Prizes and Recognitions
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Double Gold (Double Gold, Butcher's Cut Bourbon)
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Double Gold (Double Gold, Homegrown Rye)
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Gold (Gold, Four Grain Bourbon)