New Distillery 'Frankfort Spirits' Opening Oct. 5

Caption: The Frankfort Spirits team: Back Row (l to r): Curtis Newsom, Danny Casey, Dean Vaundry. Front Row (l to r): Kyle Jomant, Chris McFarland, Jack King, Phil Casey. Not Pictured: Chuck Jabaay, Randy Mikrut and Dino Moler

Frankfort Spirits, the first Will County-authorized distillery, will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. with complimentary tastings of Verdict Vodka and Emil Stimple Straight Bourbon, both straight up and with mixers. Live music and appetizers are also part of the event. Guests must be 21 years of age to sample.

Frankfort Spirits is located in the Loft at CD & ME, 23320 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort.CD & ME co-owners Dean Vaundry and Chuck Jabaay, first began discussing this project four years ago with brothers Phil and Dan Casey. Initially, plans were to open a microbrewery. However, with so many craft breweries springing up, they decided to pursue distillation, and Frankfort Spirits was born.

Soon after the idea was formed, they gathered partners and talent including Jack King, Chris McFarland, Curtis Newsom, Randy Mikrut and Kyle Jomant. Verdict Vodka (so named because CD & ME served as a Will County court satellite site for many years) is made from Illinois-sourced corn. It has been distilled seven times with a double filter using a proprietary blend of charcoal. Emil Stimple Straight Bourbon is an eight-year-old bourbon, aged four times longer than most bourbons on the market and twice as long as straight bourbons.“Emil fills your senses,” said Frankfort Spirits head distiller Kyle Jomant.

“When you smell our bourbon, you’ll get aromas of butterscotch, caramel, and a bit of vanilla. An initial sweetness is tasted and followed by a quick hit of pepper. Emil Stimple finishes long and smooth, warming you from within.”

Additional liquors and liqueurs in the pipeline include Ringneck Rye, which will be aging until its summer 2016 release and Bigfoot Wintermint Schnapps, which will make a rare appearance this winter.

“Quality takes time,” said Jomant.

It also means limited runs. Only 500 bottles/year of Emil Stimple will be produced.

“If you want something that has been mass produced and rushed to market, our handmade premium spirits aren’t for you,” Jomant explained. “But if you want something that has been cared for every step of the way, a product that has been proofed to perfection, a product that we’re proud enough of to hand sign every bottle, then Frankfort Spirits is what you are looking for. We are here to ‘raise your spirits.’”Frankfort Spirits will begin offering weekly tastings on Sunday afternoons beginning November 1. Space is limited, so reserve your place now by emailing info@frankfortspirits.com. For more information visit frankfortspirits.com.