| Di ning & Dr inking |
Shining
STAR
Star Union Spirits’ co-owners build award-winning business from their shared hobby
bout 10 minutes to the west of Starved Rock State Park, behind the walls of the former Westclox clock factory, Star Union Spirits is spearheading an artisan distillery revival — crafting an ever-growing line of award-winning vodka, brandy, rum and grappa. This small-batch distillery is doing more than just bottling beverages that can be found in supermarkets, liquor stores and bars across the state. It’s also home to a relaxing tasting room where guests can imbibe expertly made craft cocktails and take in local live music. The name Star Union Spirits harkens back to Peru’s first licensed alcohol producer, Star Union Products Company. After an impressive 121 years of operation, Star Union Products Company officially shuttered its doors in 1966.
Story by Ryan Searl Photos by Tom Sistak and Star Union Spirits
With its absence, this iconic brewer left a cask-shaped hole that was never filled in the community. Until now. “We knew the city could support a local distiller, we’ve got more than 100 years of history to prove it,” says coowner Bob Windy with a laugh. He and fellow co-owner Jeff Yosowitz will be the first to admit they didn’t have the most conventional path to owning a distillery. After meeting through their sons’ Chicago school more than a decade ago, the two began working closely together in a social club with other dads. The group primarily organized park cleanups and other activities, but it would also serve as their springboard into distilling. On a camping trip, “Bob brought along a bottle of his homemade wine. I said, ‘Wait, what do you mean you made that?… I want to make that!’ and that was sort of our origin. We
Shown at top (from left to right): Bob Windy, Casey Beall and Jeff Yosowitz pose with their award-winning products at Star Union Spirits in Peru. Starved Rock Country • Spring 2022 | 39
