Copper Fiddle Distillery Plans Move Forward

The Copper Fiddle Distillery has a few hurdles to pass, but its owners are hoping to open the Lake Zurich craft whiskey distillery by November or December.

One of those hurdles is obtaining a special variance, establishing regulations for sewer use and sewage pretreatment. A hearing seeking written and oral comments from the public will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at the Lake Zurich Public Works Facility, 505 Telser Road.

The hearing is part of the administrative process Copper Fiddle needs go through in order to open, co-owner Jose Hernandez said. Lake Zurich officials want to know what effluence the distillery will be producing, or what will be going down the drain, he said.

“The village wants to know what is left over during our process, which is pretty simple. It’s basically grain- flavored water,” Hernandez said.

He does not expect any problems obtaining the variance.

Hernandez is partnering with Fred Robinson in Copper Fiddle, which will be located at 532 W. Route 22, just east of Route 12.

Copper Fiddle continues going through the federal permitting process distilleries must complete, Hernandez said. Once a federal permit is granted, the distillery can start the state permitting process.

So far, all of the distillery’s designs have been completed and submitted to Lake Zurich, he said. As soon as the village gives its approval and grants a building permit, demolition will begin, he said. “We don’t have too much in the way or improvements to do. It’s a pretty simple operation,” he said.

Copper Fiddle will need to get a liquor license from Lake Zurich, which is creating a brand new category for the distillery. The special liquor license will allow Copper’s to sell products made at its location and provide tastings for anyone over 21 years of age, Hernandez said. The tasting would be done following the tours and tourists would get to taste three products, about a quarter ounce pour, he said.

While it’s been along process, Hernandez feels it’s been going well.

“We’ve had a few little bumps in the road. There are very few towns, only eight or nine, in Illinois that have a distillery. It’s a learning process for everyone. When you have a learning process, there are little bumps,” Hernandez said.