Revelton Distilling’s Spirits Celebrate the Local Grains of Iowa
Christi and Rob Taylor photo credit Revelton)
Approximately 50 miles from downtown Des Moines, Iowa, family-run Revelton Distilling Co. opened in a renovated building during 2021. “The name is a takeoff of the verb ‘to revel,’” says co-owner, Christi Taylor, M.D. “And we wanted something that wasn’t already taken, in the spirits trade.” The company exists because of some initial reveling, that led to serious study of the industry.
The Origins of Revelton Distilling
The initial idea for Revelton Distilling began after Christi and her husband, Rob, attended and befriended distillers at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. “We went for a handful of years as something fun to do. Then we found ourselves fascinated about the industry and planning trips around the world. We started saying, ‘Oh, that would be fun,’ or ‘That’s an interesting thought.
“[Distilling] truly became something we both fell in love with. Somewhere around 2014 or 2015 we started talking with people in the industry and learning what their business life was like.” The couple toured hundreds of distilleries across the globe, and then attended Moonshine University.
“I would say we had a good two years of unofficial study. We still go to American Distilling Institute conferences and Moonshine University classes. The distilling industry is really one where everybody willingly shares and helps each other. We’ve had great mentors, from other small craft distilleries to some of the big box brands.
“We still visit other distilleries, constantly go to bars and restaurants, and try out new drinks. I’m constantly trying non-Revelton spirits too. You have to develop your palate, and learn what’s new out there, while learning creative and innovative ways that bartenders are using your products.”
Lucy the Revelton column still photo credit Revelton
Putting Down Roots
Although they didn’t yet have a business plan the Taylors purchased their property in Rob’s family’s hometown of Osceola, during late 2016. “We were at Moonshine University as we were putting an offer on the property. 2019 and 2020 were the years for building everything inside – all the equipment, electrical, plumbing, and a boiler room. Rob and teams of people worked on all of that.”
Investor support has been crucial too. “We’ve got roughly, 25-30 couples or individuals [as investors],” Christi says. “They’re friends and colleagues from different aspects of our lives and a little bit of family. They’re the best ambassadors, supporting us personally and financially.
“They help to get the word out with restaurants and bars. We value and need opinions and other skills, outside of our own. They’re unofficial advisors, who have various forms of success in a variety of industries.”
Iowa Grains
As the Taylors developed their business plan, they followed the lead of many Kentucky distillers who use Iowa corn. “We wanted to do something where we could really use Iowa products and grains,” Christi says.
Among fewer than 20 licensed distilleries in the state* at the time Revelton opened, the distillery’s grain-to-glass focus incorporated the best corn, grains, and other ingredients, from Iowa farmers. “We not only want to buy as much of our ingredients as possible from Iowa farmers, but farmers use our mash as animal feed, too,” Christi says.
Product Portfolio
Rob and Christi Taylor photo credit Revelton
Eight current Revelton products include American Gin, Barrel Rested Gin, and Mulberry Gin. There’s also Honey Whiskey, or Shine White Whiskey plus Whiskey & Cream Liqueur, Vodka, and Honey Vodka. “We have worked really hard, to create individual products that people would enjoy,” Christi says. “We have a strong commitment to quality, so we’ve thrown things away, if they aren’t right.
“Our top three sellers are Whiskey Cream Liqueur, Honey Whiskey (you can taste the honey with the creamy honey mouth feel) and Mulberry Gin. It’s probably the most surprising to people. There’s just a little bit of juniper in it-which legally makes a gin a gin-yet it’s sweet and berry-forward.”
Current Operations
Rob and Christi co-own the multi-award-winning distillery and run it with assistance from their adult children, and a staff of roughly 16-20 part- or full-time employees, and other 7-8 people assist with production.
“Rob is our lead distiller, and this is his full-time job, a good 90 hours per week,” Christi says. “I manage the tasting room and I do a lot of behind-the-scenes paperwork and product development. I’m usually there 1-2 days per week and on occasional evenings. I also create our gin.”
Revelton Distilling Company products at Surety Hotel, Des Moines. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray
An elegant yet comfortable navy and gold tasting room, with décor reminiscent of the Roaring '20s, welcomes visitors to Revelton Distilling Co. There’s often live music, and food trucks too. “Our biggest days are on Saturdays, when we do about 75% of our week’s business,” Christi says.
Old-school labels also make mini bottles of Revelton spirits right at home inside renovated historic buildings such as downtown Des Moines’ Surety Hotel. “We love the Art Deco look,” Christi says. “It’s beautiful, classy, and a little industrial and we certainly fit in with that type of design. That was a generation of great cocktails when people were really trying to enjoy life and its experiences.”
Revelton Distilling Co. guests can pre-book 45- to 50-minute weekend tours of fermentation, distillation, and bottling operations which include five tastings. VIP Behind the Scenes Tours also include a walkthrough of the barrel rack house with an in-depth exploration of the distilling process, and how Revelton produces its spirits.
Positioned for Growth
Revelton whiskey and cream liqueur photo credit Revelton
In 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF2374 into law-easing decades old restrictions on local distillers across Iowa. “We were definitely involved in conversations with people [in the state] to help educate them about the situation for distilleries.
“There was a cap on how much we could produce in a year – and that now has been lifted. Our business was growing in sales across the state, and we had added Missouri and Nebraska. If the cap hadn’t been lifted, we wouldn’t have survived and thrived.”
The new law makes planning for growth easier. “We intend to introduce our products to areas of the state that we haven’t reached yet,” Christi says. “And we’ll be adding more states and markets for distribution. In 2023, we’ll also have some new, fun products and our first rye whiskey will be out in early 2023. By early 2025, our first bourbon will come out.”
*During 2021, there were 11 distilleries in adjacent Kansas; 12 in nearby Nebraska; 60 in Missouri, 48 in Indiana; 54 in Kentucky; and 58 in Illinois. New York State had 180 distilleries and California had 190.