by FROM DAIRY BYPRODUCT TO DISTILLED DELIGHT
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, Knowlton House Distillery is redefining what it means to craft spirits with local heritage and ingenuity. What began as a family tradition rooted in farming and cheesemaking has blossomed into an award-winning distillery that marries old-world agriculture with innovative craft distilling.
The roots of the distillery trace back to 1849, when Irish immigrant Patrick Mullins sold his “ten head” of cattle and settled in Wisconsin as a dairy farmer, a legacy that now spans seven generations. Today, that legacy lives on not just in cheese but in spirits. Knowlton House Distillery honors this heritage by transforming milk sugars (whey) — a byproduct of cheese production — into exceptionally smooth vodka and gin under their TenHead Spirits brand.
Unlike most distillers who rely on grains or potatoes, Knowlton House taps into their own abundant resources. Whey from the Mullins family’s dairy farm, which is typically viewed as waste by many cheesemakers, becomes the heart of their fermentation process, yielding a velvety and refined spirit base. This unique approach requires a specialized strain of yeast and expert fermentation techniques, and it’s one of only a handful of methods used in distilleries around the world.
Their flagship TenHead Classic Vodka and two distinct gins — the juniper-forward TenHead Woodland Dry and the bright, citrus-accented Tenhead Meadow Cut — have not only delighted local palates but also earned recognition on the national stage for their quality and smooth taste.
But Knowlton House isn’t just about spirits in a bottle. Visitors to the distillery can enjoy tours, tastings, craft cocktails, and food in a welcoming setting that celebrates Wisconsin’s agricultural tradition. From behind-the-scenes looks at the distillation process to sipping thoughtfully curated cocktails on the patio, every experience reflects the family’s commitment to craftsmanship and community.
In every glass of TenHead vodka or gin, you’ll taste more than just a premium spirit, you’ll taste the story of a family, a region, and a tradition reinvented.
