Your profile says you're in Warren, MI. Can I assume your friend is also there? If so, the Journeyman Distillery is 3½ hours away. They have free distillery tours and an amazing restaurant. So, have a guys' whiskey day - drive up there (bring the wives who can shop all day and then drive home), take the tour, then pay for a tasting and some food. Might be a couple of bucks more than a bottle, but it would be a cool experience and you would get to experience it as well.
And the Grande Traverse Distillery is only 3 hours away.