Most people think of Kentucky when they think of whiskey. Fair enough — bourbon was born there. But if you live in Kansas City and you haven't visited the distilleries in your own backyard, you're missing something.

Missouri and Kansas have a distilling history that predates most of Kentucky's famous names. And in the last decade, a new generation of distillers has planted roots in the KC metro and across the state. We carry their bottles in The Sentinel's Reserve Whiskey Library. We feature them in our S3 Spirit Series events. Some of them have become friends.

Here are the ones you should know.

Kansas City Metro

J. Rieger & Co — Kansas City, MO

The anchor of KC's spirits scene. The Electric Park distillery and tasting room in the East Bottoms is a destination in itself. Their Kansas City Whiskey — a blend of corn whiskey and sherry — put this city on the national spirits map. The Monogram series and Midwestern Dry Gin are worth exploring too.

Tom's Town Distilling Co — Kansas City, MO

Named for Tom Pendergast, the political boss who kept KC wet during Prohibition. Their bourbon, vodka, and gin are made on-site in the Crossroads district. The tasting room has a Prohibition-era feel. Good history, good spirits.

Restless Spirits Distilling — North Kansas City, MO

A craft operation in NKC making bourbon, whiskey, and vodka. Small batch, hands-on. The kind of place where you might run into the distiller pouring samples.

Lifted Spirits Distillery — Kansas City, MO

East Bottoms neighbor to Rieger. Their aged rum and whiskey have a following. The distillery hosts events and tastings regularly.

West Bottoms Whiskey Co — Kansas City, MO

Newer to the scene but making noise. Small-batch whiskey with KC roots.

Union Horse Distilling Co — Lenexa, KS

Just across the state line in Lenexa. Their Reunion Rye and Long Shot White Whiskey have won national awards. One of the most respected craft distilleries in the region.

Across Missouri

Holladay Distillery — Weston, MO

The oldest distillery west of the Mississippi. About 45 minutes north of KC in Weston. They've been making whiskey on this site since 1856. The property is worth the drive alone.

McCormick Distilling — Weston, MO

Also in Weston, also historic. McCormick has been distilling since the mid-1800s. Their brands include 360 Vodka and Tequila Rose, but the distillery tour gives you a real sense of Missouri's distilling roots.

Copper Run Distillery — Walnut Shade, MO

Down in the Ozarks. Small operation, big flavor. Their corn whiskey and ozark moonshine are distinctly Missouri.

Wood Hat Spirits — New Florence, MO

Central Missouri grain-to-glass distillery. Everything is grown, milled, and distilled on the farm. About as local as it gets.

Build Your Trail

We built a Distillery Trail feature into our app. You can mark distilleries as "Want to Visit" or "Visited," plan a route, and track your progress. It's free — just create an account on sentinelroom.com and start pinning stops.

Some of our Collective 33 members have turned it into a road trip challenge. Visit five local distilleries, try their bottles at the Library, compare notes. It's a good way to spend a summer.

Try Local at The Library

Every distillery on this list has bottles in our Reserve Library. If you want to try before you visit — or if you just got back and want to revisit the flavor — come find them on the shelf. Our staff can tell you which local bottles are worth the pour and which distillery to visit first.

208 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO. Open Tue–Sat.

~ The Sentinel