Local ingredients
Nearby spring water and locally sourced corn and wheat begin the whiskey-making process.
MADE IN FAYETTE COUNTY · WITNESS DISTILLERY
Grain to glass, rooted here.
Whiskeys, rums and vodkas begin with nearby spring water, locally sourced grains and a hands-on process in historic downtown Vandalia.
THE FAYETTE CONNECTION
A local product with generations behind it.
Witness describes itself as a grain-to-glass craft distillery, and the family behind it traces its Fayette County roots to the mid-1800s. Its whiskeys use local, hand-selected grains and spring water sourced north of Vandalia.
The distillery occupies a preserved downtown building dating to around 1870. Before becoming Witness, it served at different times as a hotel, the Star Store dry-goods business and Allen Furniture Store—all directly across from the Vandalia Statehouse.
Made on site
Witness mills, ferments, distills, barrels and bottles on site, then returns spent whiskey mash to the family farm to feed its cattle.
Take the tour
The approximately 45-minute experience begins in Whiskey Underground, continues onto the distillery floor and concludes where spirits and merchandise are available.
INSIDE THE DISTILLERY
See where Fayette becomes part of every bottle.
The owner and a friend built the 550-gallon still, mash tun and condenser by hand. Copper, brick, barrels and working equipment give the tour its unmistakable atmosphere.
THE FULL WITNESS EXPERIENCE
Tour it. Taste it. Take home something made here.
Witness welcomes visitors at 330 W. Gallatin Street in Vandalia. Check the official website for current tour openings, merchandise-store hours and visitor details; guests must be 21 or older to taste or purchase spirits.