A local wine and whiskey maker opened a new distillery in Hillsdale over the summer.

Michael Lennox started Lennox Distillery, located at 181 Uran St., July 1. Open Wednesday through Saturday, the distillery lists 41 alcoholic beverages on its website. Shots excluded, the beverages are priced between $6 and $12. 

“I grew up in Hillsdale and have lived in the area all my life,” Lennox said, adding that he began making wines and whiskeys in the last decade.

After graduating from Hillsdale High School in 1991, Lennox worked various jobs, from cattle and crop farming to working as a corrections officer, all while cultivating his hobby of distilling custom alcoholic beverages.

“I started making wines and whiskeys, and a friend of mine who was a distributor down in Kentucky told me I needed to get them on the market,” Lennox said. “All the people I was selling to prior to having the distillery all encouraged me to do it.”

Lennox said he hopes to benefit the Hillsdale community and continue to build on the reputation of his products, which include unique flavors like honey whiskey and pomegranate wine.

“I want to get it going and leave a legacy for my family with the products,” he said. “I really have a passion for it.”

Lennox’s friend Dustin Flowers said Lennox has the skills to take the distillery far.

“Several years ago, Michael and I were making some wine at my house, and he told me, ‘You know, I think I could make a business out of this,’” Flowers said. “Michael is a pretty intelligent, highly motivated person. I knew if he wanted to make a go of it, he would be pretty successful.”

Flowers said his favorite of Lennox’s is the pomegranate wine.

Matt Sigler, who worked as a corrections officer with Lennox, said part of the inspiration behind the distillery was Lennox’s honey whiskey, made with honey from Lennox’s own honey bees.

“He was looking at different ways to make whiskey. It just kind of evolved into the thought that honey whiskey would taste real smooth,” Sigler said. “Between people and friends at work, it got around. The girls went nuts over it. We have a little euchre club, and I brought it to that. The wife of the host loved it. That winter, I took some down to Florida at this resort, and the next thing you know, I never got to have any because everyone loved it.”

James Brandon, a Hillsdale theatre professor, visited the distillery and said he came away pleased.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I’m more of a wine and a beer guy. I like going to wineries and tasting rooms. I really liked the bourbon I had. I was able to sample the house bourbon that they distill, and it was very good. I know one of my colleagues had the rye, and I think he liked it. And I had one of their cocktails, which I liked.”

The distillery also has more to offer than drinks.

“They had a charcuterie board, which was great,” Brandon said. “I was not expecting anything by way of that. You never know with a bar or tasting room what you’re going to get. They had fresh pretzels that they baked and fruits. Actually the kind of charcuterie I hope for at a good winery and don’t often get. So that was nice. The atmosphere was nice. They had music playing. I think it was definitely like the 70s vibe there, but it was this kind of fun, easy listening music.”

For Hillsdale residents, Lennox has a simple message.

“I always say I put the smooth in whiskey,” he said. “When you bite into a ripe green apple and get that fresh taste, that’s what I try to do with my whiskies.”