Red Eagle Distillery sits on South River Road in Geneva, Ohio, about an hour east of Cleveland in the heart of Ashtabula County’s wine country. Founded by John and Teri Polk, this craft distillery opened its doors in 2016 after the couple decided to pivot from their previous careers into the spirits world. John brings a background in engineering while Teri handled the business side, and together they’ve built Red Eagle from the ground up in a renovated industrial building that houses their copper pot still and barrel aging operations. They focus primarily on bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka, with an emphasis on small-batch production using locally sourced grains when possible. The Polks didn’t stumble into distilling by accident. After years of home brewing and experimenting with spirits, they saw an opportunity to bring craft distilling to Ohio’s Grand River Valley, an area better known for its wineries than whiskey production. The learning curve was steep, involving everything from navigating federal and state regulations to perfecting their mash bills, but they were determined to create something authentic rather than rushing products to market. John serves as the head distiller, overseeing production from grain to bottle, while the operation remains intentionally small-scale to maintain quality control. Visitors to Red Eagle get a genuine behind-the-scenes look at craft distilling rather than a polished corporate experience. The tasting room has a no-nonsense feel that reflects the Polks’ practical approach to business, and tours include actual production areas where you can see the mash tanks, fermentation vessels, and copper still in action. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational, with John or other team members happy to explain their process and let you sample their current offerings. It’s the kind of place where you’ll learn something about distilling while enjoying spirits that haven’t been rushed to market.