From barrel to glass: Hudsonville distillery brings ‘Barrel Thief’ bourbon experience to West Michigan

HUDSONVILLE — Owners of Legacy Winery & Spirits are pivoting their branding and operations as they navigate a trademark hurdle, but will still showcase their offerings as they prepare to introduce a rare Kentucky-style bourbon experience to West Michigan.

The Hudsonville-based distillery is rebranding its bourbon and whiskey line as the "Barrel Thief Series." The move follows a trademark dispute over the combined use of the words "legacy" and "whiskey" on a single label.

Co-owner Anjalie Wassink, who operates the business with her husband, Lance, said they view it as a small hurdle as they continue to move forward with their future opening. 

While the company will retain its name for its vodka, gin and wine products, federal regulations necessitated the change for its bourbon. 

The new "Barrel Thief" labels trade a previous metallic aesthetic for an "elevated estate" look, Wassink said. The "Legacy Winery & Spirits" trade name will now appear on the back of those bottles.

The rebrand resulted in roughly $2,000 in discarded labels and several thousand dollars in legal fees — a "classic startup" headache that Wassink is viewing as an opportunity for growth.

"We are offering premium, rare things that you can’t get anywhere else, and we felt like this was the perfect opportunity to elevate the whole look to fit what we’re doing," Wassink said.

Drawing inspiration from the bourbon culture of Bardstown, Kentucky, the distillery is introducing a "barrel-to-glass" service. A thief is a traditional copper tool used to draw unfiltered spirits directly from the barrel.

Wassink said that while the experience is immersive, staff will handle the tool to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Rather than receiving a standard flight board, customers will be served directly from the barrel to the glass. For those who choose to purchase a full bottle, the experience remains hands-on, as customers help seal their own bottles on-site.

"You’re going to come right over to the barrels on the floor ... then we’re going to fill the bottle and you help seal it right there,” she said. 

The distillery, which is a fully licensed manufacturer of both spirits and wine, is currently awaiting the final green light for its highly anticipated tasting room at Terra Station. 

The opening at 5400 School Ave. was originally slated for May, but is now expected later this summer.

In the meantime, the distillery is offering tours of its production facility near the Hudsonville fairgrounds. For a pre-opening price of $25 — set to rise once the tasting room opens — visitors can tour the manufacturing area and participate in tastings. 

Tours can be booked directly through the company’s website.

Once the School Avenue location opens, it will feature an aesthetic inspired by vintage cigar lounges and speakeasies.

"We’re going into something new to the state and new to a city that is completely flipping," Wassink said. "It kind of works."

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.