From Clocks to Corn Whiskey: The Story of Star Union Spirits
December 9, 2024
What happens when you combine a love for art, a rich family history, Illinois-grown corn, and award-winning craftsmanship? For Bob Windy and his business partner, Jeff Yosowitz, the answer is Star Union Spirits. Nestled in the historic Westclox building in Peru, Illinois, this distillery not only carries on the legacy of innovation from the factory’s iconic clocks but also crafts exceptional spirits. In 2023, Star Union Spirits took home top honors in the Heartland Whiskey Competition for Best Light Whiskey, showcasing their commitment to quality and creativity. Using local ingredients (like corn) and a passion for tradition, they’re redefining what it means to craft history in a bottle.

By Lindsay Croke
•
June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.