Friends of the Distillery
We proudly support the following organizations and friends, along with others. Please check them out to learn more about their causes.
Anthem Snacks is a premium meat snack company based in Bozeman Montana. Founded by a former Green Beret, Anthem Snacks is dedicated to giving 10% of profits back to veteran and first responder organizations.
Learn more: anthemsnacks.com
This innovative three-phase program, targeted towards combat veterans suffering from PTSD, redefines the relationship between challenge and purpose.
Learn More: www.heroesandhorses.org
Since 1978, The Montana Land Reliance (MLR) has partnered with Montana’s landowners to permanently protect agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space.
Learn more: mtlandreliance.org
Montana Special Forces Assocation Chapter 28
Special Forces Association 28 Members and Sponsors serve through education, training, and support for all members of Army Special Forces.
Learn more: www.sfa28.org
Talons Reach offers our nation’s SOF warriors an opportunity to find sanctuary, mindfulness, and access to the tools and resources necessary to accelerate their path to recovery through our carefully tailored TRF Program nurturing personal growth and self-discovery.
Learn more: www.talonsreachfoundation.org
Big Sky Bravery is founded on the belief that we owe a debt of gratitude to the members of our military’s active duty special operations forces whose bravery and selflessness allows us to live in a safe and free America. Their post-deployment decompression programs help participants reconnect to themselves, their families and their communities.
Learn more: www.bigskybravery.org
Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s main focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families. We honor and acknowledge past, present, and future members of the wildland firefighting community, and partner with private and interagency organizations to bring recognition to wildland firefighters.
Learn more: wffoundation.org
Mohawk Outdoors is a community for people who love the outdoors and want to help our combat/wounded veterans.
Learn more: mohawk-outdoors.myshopify.com
The Montana Distillers Guild is a group of small-batch distillers and their supporters, dedicated to promoting this fast-growing industry representing a perfect triangle of manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
Learn more: montanadistillers.org
After years of paying service to our country, post-9/11 combat veterans have a new critical mission: finding their purpose in civilian life. Warriors & Quiet Waters empowers post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and live purpose-driven lives through peak experiences in nature, meaningful relationships, and a sense of community.
Learn more: warriorsandquietwaters.org
The American Legion Department of Montana
American Legion Department of Montana is rooted in service to veterans, their families, and our communities. As part of the nation’s largest veterans service organization, we are dedicated to upholding the values of patriotism, mentorship, and advocacy.
Learn more: mtlegion.org
Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation
The mission of Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation is to enhance wild sheep populations in Idaho, and with partners in adjacent states, for public enjoyment, education, and fair chase hunting; to promote professional wildlife management, and protect sportsmen’s rights.
Learn more: idahowildsheep.org
MVP provides veteran-led, four-day therapeutic adventure trips (VLTATs) in the Montana wilderness to help veterans heal through camaraderie, physical activity, and backcountry challenges
Learn more: mtvetprogram.org
The program is focused on helping veterans live more fulfilling lives through training and building a relationship with their service dog. This helps them find methods to recognize and manage the symptoms of their hidden injuries, discourages self-isolation, and helps find a renewed sense of purpose.
Learn more: dogtagbuddies.org
Duckworth / Helle Ranch
REVOLUTION RESERVE
Willie’s Distillery is celebrating America’s 250th! Revolution Reserve is a bourbon whiskey that has been crafted to honor 250 years as the United States of America and the enduring spirit of 1776. We have made exactly 1,776 bottles of decadent straight bourbon whiskey. We embrace freedom, resilience, and pride. The alcohol percentage is 56% in honor of the 56 signers on the Declaration of Independence. This 112-proof premium product will be the highlight of your summer. Rich, full-bodied and unapologetically American, this spirit celebrates liberty, love of country, and the timeless tradition of enjoying finely made American spirits.
This limited edition product will be release on July 1, 2026. We will have Montana Picture Gallery onsite doing historic and nostalgic photography from Noon-6pm. There will be a food truck and live music in the evening, along with your fellow Americans. Celebrate liberty with us and have a taste of the Revolution before it is gone.
Daems Ranch
The Daems family history runs deep through the Madison Valley. In 1863 Dr. Levinus Daems settled in Virginia City, opening the City Drug Store on Wallace St. A visionary, he served as the first doctor, mayor, and put his heart and soul into bringing law and order into the Montana Territory, even leading the famous Vigilantes of Virginia City.
Henry and Lev, sons of Dr. Levinus, established the Daems Ranch on Varney Road in 1883, purchasing the land with gold coins left to them when he passed away. Registering the livestock brand Two Bar in 1883, they lived side by side for over 60 years. Another son of Dr. Levinus, Paul Daems, lived on Varney with his wife Hattie Wood, herding sheep and managing the Economy Power Plant on Spring Creek. Their sons helped to run the ranch on Varney Road as it passed through family over the years, including using unique horsemanship talents to break, train, and sell horses to the US Army.
Allen Daems, his son Kevin, and grandson Luke, fourth, fifth and sixth generation Daems in Madison Valley, now continue the family legacy on the Daems Ranch. With their spouses and children they manage the family cattle business that is now 142 years in the making.
little belt cattle company
Little Belt Cattle Company (LBCC) is a veteran founded business in the Musselshell River Valley in Meagher County, MT. Owned and operated by former Navy SEALs, Tim Sheehy and Greg Putnam, the company is founded on the entrepreneur-minded ability to embrace challenges, transition to civilian life, and to support family and community. LBCC is a working cattle ranch and premium beef company.
The ranch takes its name after the Little Belt Mountains, the range that frames the northern border of their headquarters where they run their cow/calf and yearling cattle operations. LBCC has successfully built a vertically integrated local supply chain of 100% Montana premium beef. They supply several local restaurants and markets, along with having national distribution via on-line sales.
Little Belt Cattle Company produces the highest quality Montana cattle and beef start to finish. They retain ownership of the cattle throughout their lifecycle, providing quality assurance every step of the way. The cattle are bred, born, and raised in open pastures on the ranch. The ranch utilizes regenerative practices to get the highest level of performance from both the rangeland and the cattle. You can trust that the cattle have been raised the right way, the Montana way.
Whiskey, wisdom, and updates
JUG BRAND
We honor the Jug Brand with batch one. The passing of brand heritage was shared with our cofounder Robin Hensley Blazer when she and Willie began the distillery. The jug brand is a foundational part of the Willie’s Distillery logo.
In 1921 Woodrow Hensley settled in the Crow Creek Valley in Broadwater County. There he raised a family while ranching and farming the land. His son, Rob Hensley, continued their family agricultural traditions in Toston, MT. In the early 70s, a local rancher took a liking to Rob and his wife, Sue. He gifted the Hensley’s the Jug Brand, which they used to brand their small herd of Herford’s. The Herford’s were a gift from Woodrow when Rob and Sue’s third daughter, Robin, was born.
Robin grew up on the grain farm with her family. They farmed three sections of irrigated Durham wheat, malt barley, alfalfa hay and corn silage. The malt barley was sold to Coors, and the silage was fed to the feed lot cattle owned by Boulder Valley ranchers. This grain farming also gave Robin specialized knowledge of critical ingredients that would later go into crafting bold spirits at the distillery she and Willie would build in Ennis.
The jug brand remains in the Hensley family today. With four generations of Montanans, they carry on the spirit of the American West.
Title: CEO/Founder
Favorite Drink: Bighorn Bourbon on the rocks.
Favorite song to drink to: Rooster.
Most unusual job you’ve ever had: Special Forces.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up: Chuck Norris.
Three words to describe working at Willie’s: Whiskey is smooth.
