Nick Nagele was raising high-class grain when he decided he wanted to distill whiskey. That is why he and two friends opened Illinois’ only estate distillery in December.

Jamie Walter, Jim Walter and Nagele, owners of Whiskey Acres, 11504 Keslinger Road, have been winning awards across the United States for their corn whiskey, which is made from seed to corn stock to spirit all in the same place.

“Although Whiskey Acres is fairly new, we have been awarded metals from the American Distilling Institute [Spirit] Competition, which was held in Louisville, Ky.” Nagele said. “We’ve also gotten awards from the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, as well in Denver, Co.”

The first step of the whiskey making process is to raise the grain, then mill the grain and cook it, Jamie said. Afterwards, the grain is fermented, distilled and put into a 500 gallon pot for extract, where it waits to be barrelled, Nagele said.

“Ever since we opened in July, we’ve had over 600 visitors,” Jamie said.

Debbie Armstrong, the Director of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said she promotes all attractions in DeKalb County, including Whiskey Acres. The distillery also makes vodka and sells its products in many local bars, restaurants and liquor stores.

“Whiskey Acres is run by some very nice residents …,” Armstrong said. “It’s very beautiful. There’s a tasting room and patio for people to enjoy what we have to offer. There’s also a good chunk of historic value, as this distillery brings a new compliment to all other attractions in DeKalb County.”