A brisk, 30-minute distillery tour and tasting at 100 Proof on Gratiot Avenue. Learn the grain-to-glass process, sample whiskey, gin, vodka, and end at a lively distillery bar marked by a silver Airstream trailer.
A brisk, 30-minute distillery tour and tasting at 100 Proof on Gratiot Avenue. Learn the grain-to-glass process, sample whiskey, gin, vodka, and end at a lively distillery bar marked by a silver Airstream trailer.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Detroit City Distillery · Detroit, Michigan
On Gratiot Avenue in Detroit, 100 Proof Unlocked is a compact, hands-on distillery experience at 100 Proof inside the historic Whiskey Factory at 1000 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207. In a brisk 30-minute tour, guides walk guests through a literal grain-to-glass workflow—milling, fermenting, distilling and finishing—while stopping at copper stills, mash tubs, and a barrel sample station. The tasting finishes at the 100 Proof distillery bar, where a silver Airstream trailer marks the entrance and craft cocktails anchor the room.
This is a Detroit taste of place. The experience pulls history into every poured sample: the building retains the industrial bones of Detroit’s manufacturing era even as it hums with new distilling lines. Hosts narrate the city’s brewing and distilling past and point to how modern makers are reviving local spirits. Accessibility is straightforward—this tour is wheelchair accessible—and the format makes it ideal for anyone curious about how grain becomes whiskey, gin, vodka, and brandy without committing to a multi-hour tour.
Why book 100 Proof Unlocked? It compresses a full distillery education into a half hour without skimping on substance. You’ll try pre-barrel and finished barrel whiskey expressions, taste curated gin and vodka selections, and leave with a sense of how production choices shape flavor. It’s a practical, sensory primer for people who love craft beverages and urban history alike. The space is also convivial: the distillery bar and cocktail menu invite lingering, so the tour can easily expand into a longer evening.
Practical notes: meet at 100 Proof next to the Airstream; no outside beverages are allowed; guests must be 21 or older. The experience is particularly well-suited to visitors staying in nearby downtown Detroit and the Eastern Market district, and it pairs well with a walking exploration of Gratiot Avenue’s industrial architecture.
This tour is a standout because it lives at the intersection of production and place—a working distillery inside a historic complex that keeps the process visible and the tasting immediate. For travelers who like their adventures urban, tactile, and flavorful, 100 Proof Unlocked is a short, sharp lesson in modern American distilling and a memorable way to connect with Detroit’s resilient craft scene.
Don’t miss the flights available for purchase: choose a Whiskey Flight to sample four signature whiskeys, a Gin Flight with four Detroit City Distillery gins, or a mixed flight selected by the bartender. The bar serves craft cocktails built from those same spirits, making it easy to taste production differences in finished drinks. Tours are popular on weekends; book ahead via the provided reservation link. Whether you’re a spirits aficionado or a curious traveler, this condensed, educational stop delivers maximum flavor and context in minimal time. Plan for transit or nearby parking options.
easy.
30 minutes.
Minimal physical exertion; accessible for most visitors including those using wheelchairs.
The experience is a 30-minute guided tour followed by a tasting at the distillery bar.
Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible as noted in the tour details.
The condensed tour begins at 100 Proof; enter through the 100 Proof doors beside the silver Airstream trailer at 1000 Gratiot Ave.
No. Outside beverages are not allowed inside the facility.
Yes. Guests must be 21 years or older to participate in tastings.
Yes. The distillery bar offers craft cocktails and Detroit City Distillery flights for purchase, including whiskey and gin flight options.
The tour connects to Detroit’s brewing and distilling past, showcasing how contemporary makers are reviving local spirit production inside historic industrial buildings.
The distillery highlights responsible production practices and encourages recycling and sensible consumption; consider taking transit or carpooling to reduce your footprint.
Detroit City Distillery is a craft distillery located in Detroit, Michigan, offering hands-on distilling and cocktail experiences that highlight local spirits and hospitality. The distillery runs a mix of educational and entertainment-focused events, including a guided cocktail class, a personalized bourbon blending session, and themed brunch events hosted at the 100 Proof venue. Participants learn the distilling process, spirit history, and tasting techniques from trained professionals and award-winning mixologists. Visitors can join Market Mixology 101 to craft four classic cocktails, develop palate skills through guided tastings, and take home a custom-etched rocks glass. The B.Y.O.B. (Blend Your Own Bourbon) Experience teaches the components of whiskey flavor and allows guests to blend from four distinct barrels to create a single personalized bottle. Seasonal and special events, such as the Halloween Drag Brunch at 100 Proof, combine live performance with brunch menus and craft cocktails in a ticketed, seated format. Detroit City Distillery emphasizes transparency in process and product: tours include explanations of sourcing, mash bills, and aging concepts relevant to small-batch distilling. The venue operates in Detroit and provides clear ticketing and event information for each experience. As a business featured on The Adventure Collective, Detroit City Distillery provides structured, ticketed experiences designed for learning, tasting, and celebration, suitable for individuals, small groups, and gift experiences.
Book with Detroit City Distillery