Skeptic Distillery Co. is doing something most distilleries in the world aren't: distilling at cold temperatures using a custom-built vacuum distillation system that keeps everything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the whole idea behind founder Karl Loepke's operation in Melrose Park, just west of Chicago - strip out the heat damage, keep the delicate aromatics, and end up with spirits that taste genuinely fresh. The result is a gin packed with mango, pear, citrus zest, juniper, and hibiscus that has been called one of the top 100 spirits in the world by Wine Enthusiast, alongside a naturally sweet corn vodka and a whiskey distilled directly from craft beer mash. Tours of the facility are available, giving you a close look at the science behind the production. A cocktail bar opened in 2025, rounding out the experience. If you've ever written off the western suburbs as a craft spirits destination, Skeptic is a convincing argument to reconsider.