Rush Creek Distilling

What Rush Creek Distilling does

Rush Creek Distilling is a privately held craft distillery founded in 2017 in Harvard, Illinois, by four local partners — Mark Stricker, Todd Stricker, Jay T. Nolan, and Jeff McCarthy. The company produces a portfolio of small-batch spirits using locally sourced grains and deep-spring water, with aging in charred American oak and double-oak barrels. Its product line spans four vodkas (Original, Jalapeño, Vanilla, Coffee), two gins (Botanical and Barrel Rested), bourbon variants (16% Rye, 25% Wheat, Double Oak), rye whiskeys (58% and 100%), American Gold Whiskey, and Trophy 15 Year whiskey. Premium-tier bottles are priced up to $62.99.

The company generates revenue through five streams: wholesale and direct spirits sales, paid distillery tours and tastings (standard at $10 per person, curated barrel tasting at $45), private event and venue rental (Craftsman's Bar, Founders Loft, full-venue hosting for groups up to 180), an outdoor patio experience ("On the Rocks"), and the Adventurous Spirit Club recurring membership. Distribution runs through three Illinois wholesalers (LaMonica Beverages, Burke Beverage Inc., G&M Distributors) and one Wisconsin distributor (Beechwood Sales & Service), supplemented by a national online store operated by Mash Networks with shipping restricted in six states.

Rush Creek targets three customer segments — regional spirits consumers in Illinois and Wisconsin, tourism and experience seekers (leveraging proximity to Lake Geneva and Metra rail access from Chicago), and private event hosts. The company markets through social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), on-site events, and earned media in regional outlets. No venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment is disclosed; ownership remains with the four co-founders.

Name

Rush Creek Distilling

Legal name

Rush Creek Distilling

Website

https://rushcreekdistilling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rush Creek Distilling is a privately held craft distillery founded in 2017 in Harvard, Illinois, producing small-batch vodka, gin, bourbon, and rye whiskey for regional consumers in Illinois and Wisconsin via four distributors, e-commerce, and on-site tours and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft spirits production
• Small-batch distilling
• Whiskey bourbon manufacturing
• Vodka gin production
• Distillery tours tastings

Headquarters

HQ city

Harvard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales: Direct and distributor-based sales of craft spirits including vodka, gin, whiskey, bourbon, and rye. Products sold online, at distillery, and through retail partners.
2. Distillery Tours and Tastings: Guided tours of the distillery and guided tastings of select spirits for visitors.
3. Curated Barrel Tasting: Premium tasting experience featuring barrel strength whiskeys and bourbons straight from the barrel, including opportunity to purchase full barrels.
4. Private Events and Venue Rental: Rental of distillery spaces including Craftsman's Bar, Founders Loft, and entire venue for private events, weddings, and corporate functions.
5. Adventurous Spirits Club Membership: Membership program offering newsletter, discounts at Rush Creek Mercantile, admission to special events, and exclusive offers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rush Creek Distilling is a craft distillery that produces and sells small-batch artisanal spirits including vodka, gin, whiskey, bourbon, and rye using locally sourced grains and pure deep-spring water. In addition to bottled spirits sold online, at the distillery, and through regional distributors, the company operates an experiential destination featuring distillery tours, curated barrel tastings, an outdoor patio, and a private event venue. A membership club (Adventurous Spirit Club) provides recurring customer engagement and benefits.

Product overview

Rush Creek Distilling is a craft distillery producing a portfolio of artisanal spirits including vodka (Original Craft, Jalapeño, Vanilla, Coffee flavors), gin (Botanical, Barrel Rested), whiskey (American Gold), bourbon (16% Rye, 25% Wheat, Double Oak), and rye whiskeys (58%, 100%). The company also offers experiential services including distillery tours, tasting experiences, private event venue rental, an outdoor patio, and an Adventurous Spirit Club membership. Products are available for purchase online, at the distillery, and through Illinois and Wisconsin retailers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Original Craft Vodka Natural homegrown vodka made from locally harvested grain with a crisp, clean taste; sold to consumers via online store, distributors, and the distillery.
• Jalapeño Vodka 100% corn-based craft vodka infused with fresh jalapeños for a bold, peppery flavor with balanced heat; marketed for use in Bloody Marys and lemonades.
• Vanilla Vodka Craft vodka infused with vanilla for a sweet, smooth flavor profile.
• Coffee Vodka 100% corn-based vodka blended with small-batch craft coffee, air-roasted to perfection, featuring rich coffee, caramel, and mocha notes; priced at $29.99 online.
• Botanical Gin Hand-bottled botanical gin crafted with a blend of botanicals.
• Barrel Rested Gin Gin rested in barrels for enhanced complexity and smooth finish.
• American Gold Whiskey Whiskey crafted with locally sourced grains and aged for a bold yet approachable flavor.
• Trophy Whiskey 15 Years Small-batch, barrel-aged whiskey matured for 15 years with rich vanilla, caramel, and toffee notes; priced at $62.99 online as a limited-availability premium offering.
• 58% Straight Rye Whiskey A special blend of local rye, corn and barley offering a sweet front, touch of spice, and smooth lasting finish; priced at $47.99 online.
• 100% Straight Rye Whiskey 100% rye whiskey crafted from locally grown grains delivering bold, classic spicy and peppery flavor; positioned as a rye drinker's rye and priced at $57.99 online.
• Straight Bourbon Whiskey 16% Rye Bourbon with elevated corn sweetness balanced with spicier rye notes, handcrafted and aged in charred American oak; priced at $47.99 online.
• Straight Bourbon Whiskey 25% Wheat Wheated bourbon that is barrel-aged for a smooth, sweet flavor profile.
• Double Oak Bourbon Limited release bourbon aged and double-barreled in virgin oak barrels, featuring rich flavor, oaky aroma, and dark hue; sold via the online store for $57.99 with limited availability.
• Distillery Tours and Tastings Guided tours of the Harvard, Illinois distillery and guided tastings of select spirits, including a standard tour and tasting at $10 per person and a curated barrel tasting experience at $45 per person with branded tasting glass and blind tasting of six cask strength samples.
• Private Events and Venue Rental Rental of the distillery's event spaces — including Craftsman's Bar, Founders Loft, and the full venue — for private parties, weddings, corporate functions, and special events accommodating groups up to 180.
• On the Rocks Patio Outdoor patio at the distillery for enjoying craft cocktails, live music, and food trucks; open weather permitting and dog-friendly.
• Adventurous Spirit Club Membership Recurring membership program offering a members-only newsletter, Rush Creek Mercantile discounts, admission to special events, and exclusive offers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 Year Anniversary Celebration planned for September 2026

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LaMonica BeveragescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based beverage distributor handling distribution of Rush Creek spirits throughout Illinois market.
• Burke Beverage Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based beverage distributor partner for Rush Creek spirits distribution.
• G&M DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based distributor partner for Rush Creek craft spirits distribution.
• Beechwood Sales & ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWisconsin-based beverage distributor handling distribution of Rush Creek spirits in Wisconsin market.
• Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership supporting clean water initiatives. Rush Creek Distilling proudly supports Trout Unlimited and clean water efforts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Corsair Distillery: Tennessee-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum with tasting room. Comparable craft producer with diversified spirit portfolio and on-site experiences.
• New Riff Distilling: Kentucky-based craft distillery producing bourbon and rye whiskey with on-site tasting room. Comparable craft producer focused on whiskey portfolio with experiential offerings.
• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky-based craft distillery producing bourbon and rye whiskey. Comparable craft whiskey producer with similar grain-to-glass ethos and small-batch production.
• Hillrock Estate Distillery: New York-based craft distillery producing whiskey with on-site tasting room and estate experience. Comparable premium craft producer focused on whiskey with experiential DTC model.
• Smooth Ambler Spirits: West Virginia-based craft distillery producing bourbon and rye whiskey. Comparable craft whiskey producer with similar small-batch, grain-focused positioning.

Direct peers

• Koval Distillery: Chicago-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs with tasting room and tours. Comparable Midwest craft positioning, similar grain-to-bottle ethos, and shared Illinois regional distribution.
• Journeyman Distillery: Michigan-based craft distillery in Three Oaks producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum with extensive tasting room, restaurant, and event venue. Closely comparable Midwestern craft distillery with similar experiential revenue model.
• St. George Spirits: California-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and other spirits with tasting room and tours. Comparable scale craft producer with diversified spirit portfolio and DTC experiences.
• Leopold Bros: Denver-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and liqueurs with tasting room. Comparable scale craft producer with similar small-batch positioning and on-site experiences.
• FEW Spirits: Illinois-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, vodka, and bourbon with on-site tasting room and tours. Most directly comparable peer given shared Illinois footprint, similar product portfolio, and experiential DTC model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rcdistilling
• Facebookfacebook.com/RushCreekDistilling
• Instagraminstagram.com/rushcreekdistilling/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rush-creek-distilling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rush Creek Distilling