Wahoo Distillery an atypical corn processing facility in Nebraska

Kristen Sindelar
Jun 21, 2024
Jun 21, 2024

Wahoo distillery 1.jpg — Whiskey distilled at Wahoo Distillery derives from corn grown in Nebraska.
Photo by Stacy Ideus Photography of Wahoo, Neb.

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Ethanol is not the only highly desired liquid corn byproduct. Call it white lightning, moonshine or mountain dew—whiskey is seemingly flowing from the cornfields of Nebraska at Wahoo Distillery in Saunders County.

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Wahoo distillery 2.jpg — Graham Rupe, founder of Wahoo Distillery, poses with his grandfather’s still and photograph. Rupe began distilling alcohol after finding this still in the attic of his parents’ house.
Photo by Stacy Ideus Photography of Wahoo, Neb.

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Wahoo distillery 3.jpg — From cleaning the corn to cooking and from fermenting to bottling, every step of the distilling process is done on-site at Wahoo Distillery.
Photo by Stacy Ideus Photography of Wahoo, Neb.

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Wahoo Distillery logo

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Wahoo distillery 4.jpg — Graham Rupe and Lanny Iles pose amongst the gallons of whiskey they have distilled at Wahoo Distillery.
Photo by Stacy Ideus Photography of Wahoo, Neb.

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Wahoo distillery 6.png — Grown Climate Smart logo

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Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.