Willie’s Distillery is a small batch distillery located on Main street in picturesque Ennis, Montana, right on the banks of the fabled Madison River. The people in Ennis, MT, are some of the best folks in the world, and we wanted to provide them with the best spirits.
Our goal is simple; make world-class spirits, support the community, and support other small and local businesses.
WHAT YOU GET
The Madison River is known as the Blue Ribbon Flyfishing capital of the world. It’s an ever-vibrant action attraction in America’s northwest that brings people from all over America and indeed the world together.
Experience the thrills of fishing in one of the most captivating locations in America, surrounded by like-minded individuals from around the globe. Learn the true spirit of conservationism from the locals and explore some of the age-long Ennis, MT traditions that have made it the citadel of the original American spirit.
Ennis is home to hunters, fishermen, ranchers, small business owners, teachers, health care workers, service people, families, and retirees. Most of us who live out in the beautiful mountains want to enjoy them as much as possible. We fish, we hunt, we hike, we raft and more.
This area inspires passion, and we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. We are a community of independent people who share a great passion for excellent spirits, the outdoors, and our community. We love showing tourists and people worldwide our way of life and why we love it.
Nearby you’ll find Yellowstone National Park, filled with beautiful landscapes, attractions, and wild animals. Ennis has so much to offer, so come and cozy down in our tasting room and share a drink with us.
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.
