Thornton Distilling
We are kicking off our first event in 2026 with a new partnership with Gold Eagle, where we’ll be presenting the most exciting distillery in Illinois. The Craft Whiskey Collective is proud to release a 10+ year, 95/5 MGP Rye single barrel, bottled at hazmat proof. It’s bold, mature, and demands respect with the amount of flavor it delivers. Attendees will be the first to taste and the first with the opportunity to purchase.
That said, this barrel is not the headline of the night. It is the invitation.
The real focus is Thornton Distilling Co. and what they have quietly aging in their own warehouses. During the masterclass, you will taste through 6 to 8 spirits guided by their Founder and Head Distiller, including a pre-made cocktail, bourbon, unique specialty expressions, and a preview of unreleased spirits that show where the distillery is headed. What you taste from their house-made whiskey will be a genuine look at what is coming next.
Your ticket includes:
A full guided tasting and presentation
First access to taste and purchase our 10 Year hazmat MGP Rye single barrel
Shared cheese boards and pizza to close out the evening
Discounted pricing on available bottles from the tasting
This is an intimate, seated masterclass with only 44 spots available and selling quickly. Guests will be seated at tables of three to four. All attendees must be 21 or older. Get your tickets here!
About Thornton Distilling Co.
Thornton Distilling Co. operates inside a piece of Illinois history.
The brick and limestone brewery and grain tower that houses the distillery was built in 1857 by the John S. Bielfeldt Brewing Company along Thorn Creek in Thornton, Illinois. The property survived Prohibition, changed hands over generations, and ultimately reopened for distilling on Repeal Day, December 5, 2019, nearly a century after Al Capone seized control of the site.
Their Dead Drop Spirits line references a Prohibition-era term for hidden exchanges of whiskey. For Thornton, it represents continuing the work of those who came before them. They draw limestone-filtered water from the building’s original artesian well and rely on traditional methods, careful fermentation, and patient maturation.
This masterclass begins with that history and moves into a guided tasting that reflects both where Thornton has been and where they are going. The hazmat rye gets you in the door. The future of the distillery is what makes the night worth your time.
Cedar Ridge
Blend your own single malt with Cedar Ridge at Slightly Toasted. A hands-on night of cask finishes, competition, and creativity—guided by Master Blender Murphy Quint.
Found North
Found North is redefining what Canadian whiskey can be — long-aged, high-proof, and expertly blended by hand. This is a rare chance to taste some of their most sought-after releases and pick the brain of Co-Founder and Head Blender Nick Taylor in person. With six pours, catered food, and limited seating, this event is built for serious whiskey fans.
Frey Ranch
The Craft Whiskey Collective is bringing a true grain-to-glass experience to Chicago with Frey Ranch Distillery. Nestled in the heart of Northern Nevada, Frey Ranch is one of the few distilleries in the country that grows, malts, distills, and bottles 100% of its whiskey on-site. With over 165 years of agricultural expertise behind them, husband-and-wife team Colby & Ashley Frey have turned their family farm into one of the most respected craft whiskey operations in the country.
At this event, Colby & Ashley will guide us through three of their flagship expressions: their 90-proof bourbon, straight rye, and farm-strength bourbon. Additionally, we’ve requested that we get the opportunity to try their 100% Oat Whiskey, which is a distillery-only release - you won’t want to miss that! Each guest will receive a curated tasting kit with 1oz pours of each expression, and the Freys will join us live via Zoom to walk through the tasting notes, the farm-to-bottle process, and the history of their family’s legacy. Colby will also take us on a virtual tour of the distillery, fermentation room, and barrel house, offering an inside look at what makes their whiskey unique.
We want our events to be a true celebration of craft whiskey, so we encourage attendees to bring any craft whiskey they’d like to share with the group—especially if it’s Frey Ranch. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow whiskey lovers, discover something new, and experience firsthand what makes small producers like Frey Ranch so special. We’ll finish the night with an open Q&A, giving you the chance to interact directly with Colby & Ashley. Don’t miss it!
Nobletons
Exclusive Nobletons Whiskey Tasting – Featuring Nick in Person & Demetrius via Zoom
Join The Craft Whiskey Collective for a special evening with Nobletons Distilling House as we explore their rich heritage and exceptional whiskeys. With a legacy dating back to 1575 and a distilling lineage established in 1824, Nobletons blends time-honored tradition with modern craftsmanship.
Nick will be joining us in person in Chicago, bringing a selection of their finest whiskeys for an exclusive tasting experience. Founder Demetrius will join us via Zoom to share the history, techniques, and passion behind each bottle.
This is a rare opportunity to taste through their lineup, hear firsthand insights from the team, and immerse yourself in a brand that honors tradition while embracing innovation.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the Nobletons legacy—one sip at a time!
Dettling
We’re kicking off our exploration of craft whiskey with one of the greats - Dettling. Founded in early 2014 by Seth and Vicki Dettling, Big Escambia Spirits set out to build a family-owned distillery capable of challenging our favorite spirit categories with exceptional ingredients and processes.
At our first Craft Whiskey Collective event, we’ll be diving into two exceptional cask strength single barrel expressions from Dettling, both personally sent to us by Seth, giving everyone the rare chance to experience them firsthand.
South Korea Export-Only – 5-Year Single Barrel
The first bottle we’ll be tasting is truly a unique opportunity—a 5-year-old single barrel of Dettling Bourbon that was exclusively released for the South Korean market. This means it was never available for purchase in the U.S., making this a rare and exciting pour. With Dettling’s signature Alabama aging process, expect a bold and complex whiskey that showcases its dedication to quality and craftsmanship.
Green Wax – Brown Water Basement Pick (4-Year Single Barrel)
The second bottle is a 4-year-old single barrel, a pick selected by the well-regarded whiskey community Brown Water Basement. This pick highlights the depth of Dettling’s younger barrels, proving that even at four years old, their bourbon carries remarkable character. This will be a great opportunity to compare how just a year’s difference in aging impacts the flavor and complexity.
This tasting will be an exclusive look into Dettling’s single barrel program, so don’t miss the chance to experience these two unique expressions with us!
On top of these exclusive Dettling single barrels, we’ll also be bringing some special bottles from our personal collections to share with the group. This is a great chance to taste, discuss, and explore a variety of unique whiskeys together, making for an even richer experience. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey enthusiast or just getting into craft spirits, this event will be all about community, conversation, and exceptional pours.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy rare and hard-to-find bottles with fellow whiskey lovers—we can’t wait to share them with you!