by Dennis Dalman
A new business called Obbink Distilling and founded by three former St. John’s University students opened in St. Joseph June 1, the first day of its Grand Opening Weekend.
It is located at 11 Date St. near the St. Joseph water tower. The dates and time for the Grand Opening Weekend are June 2 from 2 p.m.-midnight; June 3 from 11 a.m.-midnight; and June 4 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Obbink Distilling is named for a master whiskey distiller and co-founder Gregg Obbink, who is a former satellite-systems integration engineer for the Earth and Space Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.
Obbink, a connoisseur of fine spirits, developed a process and equipment for shortening the process of the maturation of whiskey, from years to just a matter of days. Thus, Obbink Distilling can provide consumers with a wide variety of specialty whiskeys, each with a unique flavor profile.
Obbink will focus on uniquely crafted whiskey and specialty spirits. The plan is to operate on a “test it, bottle it, brand it, distribute it” model so customers can expect to see Obbink on the shelves of their favorite liquor stores in late 2023.
Each whiskey will possess its own identity and theme. Obbink Distilling broke ground on its building in St. Joseph in the fall of 2022, and construction was completed in March.
The location features the mainline distillery, along with interior and exterior seating.
Co-founder Adam Weber noted Obbink was one of the scientists who helped land “Curiosity Rover” on the surface of Mars.
“What does one do after helping to land the Curiosity Rover on Mars?” Weber asked. “Make whiskey, of course!”
Obbink, now retired, developed a passion for making exceptional whiskey. In more than a decade of research and development, he developed proprietary processes and thus a finishing method that gives Obbink Distilling the ability to make a wide variety of whiskeys, many using wood species (for barrels) rarely seen in the market. He also has a process for making superb gin and vodka.
At Obbink Distilling, visitors can sample the spirits in a cocktail room, and with each subsequent visit there will always be something new to sample, Weber said. Every month a new spirit will be launched and voted on by customers.
Weber said they will also launch micro-brands out of Obbink’s “test site” whose motto is “Out of this world spirits for down to earth people.”
Ian Scherber is a co-founder of the company.
To find out more about Obbink Distilling, visit www.obbinkdistilling.com.
This is a view of the interior “Cocktail Room” at Obbink Distilling, which just opened in St. Joseph.
