About Wahoo Distillery
Proud of our home, our heritage, and our commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Located in Wahoo, Nebraska, Wahoo Distillery offers premium craft whiskey that pays homage to the past and draws inspiration from the future of whiskey distilling. We’re following in our forefathers’ footsteps, while staying focused on the possibilities that lie ahead.
We believe…
Whiskey is more than just a spirit. For us, it’s a way of life – it represents shared enjoyment and community, drawing people together across all ages, points of view, and walks of life.
We’re more than just a spot on the map. We are proud of our Nebraska home, and we’re honored to support our community through the products we offer, the support we show our neighbors, and the spirit of premium craftsmanship we’ve cultivated.
Process matters, from grain to glass. At Wahoo Distillery, we strive to distill only the best, and we believe the best spirits come from the highest quality ingredients. That’s why every step of our process is closely monitored and managed by the Wahoo Distillery team – milling, mashing, distilling, aging, and bottling all happen onsite, using only locally sourced ingredients.
OUR STORY
It all began with an antique still, rediscovered after years in storage.
Founder Graham Rupe’s ancestors immigrated to Nebraska from Germany in 1895, bringing with them their in-depth knowledge of wine and spirits, particularly brandy. In 2010, Graham found his grandfather’s old still in the attic of his childhood home, and an idea came to life.
While Graham doesn’t have his grandfather’s old recipes, he did inherit his passion for expert craftsmanship and great-tasting spirits. In 2018, he purchased a building in Wahoo, Nebraska, and began converting the space into a distillery. In June 2022, Wahoo Distillery officially became a reality.
Our grain-to-glass distillery uses locally sourced grain and water from the High Plains aquifer to produce world class spirits. With each bottle we share and each glass we sell, we’re proud to offer a blend of old and new – a mix of timeless traditions and modern thinking, making each sip an experience.
Sustainable Distilling
At Wahoo Distillery, we value the environment and work to produce spirits in a way that promotes sustainable distilling practices and reduces our environmental footprint.
Water
We believe in the importance of recycling and reusing most of the water we use for cooling. We also capture a subset of the heat produced during our cooling processes to be used in other distilling processes.
Mashing
Our mash process utilizes electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
Distillation
We employ a continuous distillation column which also runs off electricity, making it a more environmentally conscious choice.
Spent Grain
Our grain byproducts are taken to local farmers to feed their livestock.
Contact Wahoo Distillery today to learn more or plan your distillery tour.