Thumb Knuckle Distillery is the name of a brand new business coming to Hazel Park, and it should be opening in October according to an article in Crain's Detroit. Founded by Doug McElroy, the abandoned lumber yard is being converted into a distillery and tasting room with retail space.
They'll be producing rum and vodka, including Michigan flavored vodkas (think cherry, apple, and other Michigan fruits), gin, and whiskey, though not all at once, since there is a crucial aging process for the gin and the whiskey.
As of right now, the business is without licenses, but they are moving ahead with renovations according to the distillery's Facebook page. They appear to still be in the demo stage, at least in the tasting room.
As for the name, it's a reference to Michigan. Crain's explains: "Thumb Knuckle gets its name from the "two knuckles" of the thumb -- Detroit and Port Sanilac in Sanilac County, where most products used to make the spirits are from."
· New distillery to offer ode to the mitten [Crain's]
· Thumb Knuckle Distillery Official Page [Facebook]
· Thumb Knuckle Distillery [Official Site]
· Preview Detroit City Distillery's Cocktails [-ED-]