Sip Like a Local: Detroit’s Top Bourbon & Whiskey Spots

Story by Max White

From distilleries to bars, here’s where to get bourbon & whiskey in metro Detroit

Detroit has a deep history when it comes to spirits and distilling. It was a hotspot for bootlegging during the prohibition era, with its proximity to Canada, and has seen a surge in cocktail bars over the past few years.

There are also some incredible distilleries in the area, aging some fantastic bourbon and putting their own spin on the famous spirit.

Here are some of the best places for bourbon and whiskey in metro Detroit.

Credit: @playdetroit

Detroit City Distillery

Detroit City Distillery is in the heart of Detroit’s Eastern Market neighborhood. With a distillery, tasting room and event space, the distillery has three separate locations in Eastern Market.

While DCD makes a variety of spirits, the distillery is known for its bourbon. It distills three main bourbons – Butcher’s Cut, Four Grain and Homegrown Rye. Throughout the year, however, it distills and finishes its bourbon with a variety of flavors, including its Honey Bourbon, which is finished with honey from beehives located on the top of the distillery.

For those who want to create their own unique blend, DCD offers a “blend your own bourbon” experience. During the experience, you’ll sample from several different barrels, then create your one-of-a-kind blend combining your own mix from those barrels.

You can also do a distillery tour to see how DCD creates its spirits, and it includes a tasting at the end.

Two James Spirits

Two James is in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, just west of Downtown, Two James is named for James M. Landrum and James B. Landrum, the father and grandfather, respectively, of its founder, David Landrum.

Like DCD, the distillery has a variety of spirits, but makes different bourbons, including rye, peated bourbon and more. Their Grass Widow bourbon is “an homage to a pre-prohibition Detroit brand” with a high-rye mash bill finished in Madeira casks.

The Catcher’s Rye comes from 100% Michigan rye and water from the Great Lakes. “Catcher’s Rye is a testament to the grain’s distinctive terroir,” the website reads.

You can do a tour of Two James where you’ll learn the history, sample the spirits and more.

Valentine Distilling Co.

Valentine has been distilling spirits since 2007 and is located in Ferndale, about 15 minutes north of Detroit. It was founded by Rifino Valentine, who said on their website, “We take great pride in using old world techniques – techniques that haven’t changed in centuries. There are no computers controlling the stills, just our sense of taste and smell to determine the cuts.”

The distillery is known for its Mayor Pingree Whiskeys, which is named in honor of former Detroit Mayor Hazen S. Pingree, who served in the late 1800s.

Mayor Pingree has earned several medals throughout its history, including a double gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for the Mayor Pingree Black Label. The Red Label is aged for five years, while the Blue Label and Black Label are for 10 years. The distillery also offers a rye whiskey.

Their tasting room, Belle’s Lounge, also offers cocktails, and you can tour their distillery.

Motor City Gas

Motor City Gas is a family-owned distillery in Royal Oak, about 20 minutes north of Detroit, with their farm about 30 minutes west of Detroit.

The distillery has more than two dozen different varieties of bourbon, ranging from its “Sweating Bullets 108,” which is a cask-proofed wheated bourbon,” to bourbons with different finishes that include apple brandy barrels, whiskey finished with apple pie moonshine and more.

Motor City Gas also has a list of different seasonal craft cocktails, that changes weekly with drinks. You can try their old fashioned, Manhattan or any other whiskey drink, including some you may not have heard of.

Bars with wide bourbon selections

Sugar House

Called “Detroit’s original craft cocktail bar,” the Sugar House has an extensive list of whiskeys and spirits with mixologists who can provide you whatever you’re looking for. In fact, if you don’t know what you want to drink, you can tell them what you like and they’ll have suggestions.

The bar has several single barrels form distilleries around the country, including from 1792, Jack Daniels, Jefferson’s, Knob Creek, Valentine, Russels’, Sazerac, Weller and more.

Inside Sugar House, you’ll find a long bar filled with barstools, and small tables throughout.

Standby

Make sure you don’t miss Standby as you walk through The Belt in Downtown Detroit. Standby is located inside the alley, so look for the face on the wall. Inside, you’ll have a cozy vibe with dark lighting.

The bar has an extensive bourbon list with a list of different cocktails, including a large mix of cocktails with whiskey or bourbon as the main spirit.

Standby also offers “break-even” bottles, which is a list of bottles they charge that will equal the cost of the bottle. The break-even bottles include bourbons from Four Roses, Knob Creek, Old Forester, Michter’s, Russel, Wild Turkey and more.

Bad Luck Bar

Bad Luck Bar features a 32–page menu of different spirits, ranging from Scotch and bourbon to gin, brandy, aperol and more.

On top of the massive spirits list, you can try a variety of cocktails with different bourbons and ryes.

The “Fruit of the Mount IDA” features Raspberry Infused Bourbon, Anejo Tequila and Amontillado Sherry; The “Dreamer” comes with “Rye Whiskey, Creme de Cacao, spice marshmallow root & honey, half & half and Angostura bitters; and “The Hammer” comes with “Toasted Cashew Infused Apple Wood Rye, spiced muscovado, savory bitters and a lemon twist.

You’ll find Bad Luck Bar down an alley in Downtown Detroit. Look for the red light in the window. Once you walk inside, you’ll be transported into the speakeasy with a massive shelf behind the bar featuring the liquors.

Buhl Bar

Buhl calls itself “A classic cocktail bar designed in excellence.” Open every day, the bar has a variety of whiskeys. The bar offers a classic menu of cocktails where you can pick your own spirit to go with the cocktail.

Inside, you’ll feel like you’re transported back in time, with the decor inspired by Detroit’s mid-20th century cocktail heyday. There is low lighting, a nice wooden bar at the center, where you can put your elbows up and talk cocktails with the bartenders, and more.

The Painted Lady

Located about 15 minutes from Detroit, The Painted Lady in Hamtramck has a “finely curated, growing assortment of local and hard-to-find spirits,” according to its website.

There are dozens of bourbons on its menu, to go along with rye whiskey and Scotch.

For those looking to get a cocktail, you can try the “Mother’s Night,” which includes Buffalo Trace, HenriettaHaus Cold Brew coffee, bourbon cream and amaretto; the “Sazerac” which is Sazerac Rye, Absinthe Rise and simple syrup; or the “Paper Plane” which is bourbon, Aperol, Nonino Amaro and lemon.

Butter Run Saloon

The Butter Run Saloon in St. Clair Shores is known for its massive whiskey selection. However, unlike some other spots, Butter Run has a classic dive bar feel. On the website, they advertise that they have 1,328 bottles of whiskey on the wall (as of Dec. 1).

The extensive menu includes miscellaneous whiskey, bourbon, Irish Whiskey, Scotch and much more.

If you’re not looking for a neat pour, you can try one of their craft cocktails. The “Basil Basil” comes with Basil Hayden bourbon, a muddled basil leaf, grapefruit-flavored bitters and a splash of St. Germain. There’s also the “HoneY Rose” which includes Four Roses bourbon, shaken with honey, stirred with sparkling wine, chilled and strained into a champagne flute.

Ale Mary’s

While Ale Mary’s is a craft beer hall, the bar also features a large whiskey list with some of the finest bourbons found in the country. They also have a “reserve” list which includes different Van Winkle bourbons, George T. Stagg, Elmer T. Lee and a Weller 12.

The restaurant features a full menu and has a modern bar feel.

The Hemmingway Room

Located on a side street in Downtown Rochester, about 40 minutes from Detroit, The Hemmingway Room is an upscale craft cocktail bar that pays homage to famed writer Ernest Hemingway.

The bar has a modern feel with plenty of tables and stools along the lighted bar and quote from Hemingway above it.

The 30-page menu features some food, unique cocktails, and 10 pages worth of bourbon, Scotch & other whiskey selections. The bourbon is available in either one or two-ounce pours. The menu includes hard-to-find bourbons like George T. Stagg, the Van Winkle family of bourbons, plus single-barrels from several well-known distilleries.

Their cocktail menu includes spirit-forward classics, tropical and refreshing and more. One drink, the Rosemary Smoke Show, includes bourbon, rosemary syrup and lemon in a smoked glass.

DETROIT NIGHTLIFE

Author

Max White
Max White is a freelance writer who loves telling stories about his favorite city, Detroit, where he lives with his wife. When he’s not working or writing, you can find him rock climbing, visiting one of the many Detroit breweries, or taking a stroll throughout the city.