From the heart of the Badlands
At Badlands Distillery LLC, we keep in mind that each and every customer has unique tastes. We produce spirits utilizing our local corn to offer a traditional “bourbon” mash recipe and by placing it in a new, charred, white oak barrel, we are able to offer a handcrafted bourbon.
For the more adventurous, we have several offerings of spirits containing ingredients such as local honey, cinnamon, apple, coffee, and jalapeno, just to name a few.
Our Family History
There is history in the heart of the Badlands that speaks to the pioneer spirit. South Dakota bootleggers played their part in that American History. We couldn’t be making our handcrafted distilled spirits today without thinking of the great uncles to Jim Herber, co-owner of Badlands Distillery.
In the early 1920’s, federal revenuers caught the five brothers down on Sears Creek, in the Weta Basin, as they were attempting to stay one step ahead to destroy evidence of their distilling operation. Unfortunately, when the boys dumped their barrels of whiskey into the White River, they discovered that the kegs floated. They waded out into the river, to break some holes in, but some of the alcohol seeped into a nearby well. It didn’t take long for the revenuer’s to find that well and dip a little out to use as evidence to put Great-Uncle Joe in jail.
Our spirits contain corn grown on our family ranch and our honey and jalapenos are locally harvested. We are privileged to present to you, Special Reserve, the original recipe handed down through the generations and several new additions that we hope you’ll enjoy!