Doc Howard’s Distillery operates out of a business complex in Perry, Ohio, about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland. Founded by Dr. Howard Baum, a retired physician who traded his stethoscope for a still, the distillery launched in 2018 after Baum spent years perfecting his recipes as a hobbyist. The operation runs out of a 2,000-square-foot space where Baum and his small team produce small-batch bourbon, rye, and flavored spirits using traditional copper pot stills. Baum’s transition from medicine to distilling wasn’t entirely random—he’d been homebrewing and experimenting with spirits for over a decade before going commercial. The doctor-turned-distiller brings a methodical, almost clinical approach to his craft, meticulously documenting every batch and constantly tweaking his processes. He named several of his spirits with medical themes, a nod to his previous career that patients and whiskey lovers alike seem to appreciate. The distillery focuses on producing quality spirits in small quantities rather than chasing volume. You’ll find Baum often working the stills himself, and he’s usually around to chat with visitors about his transition from healing people to crafting spirits. The space has that working distillery feel—it’s clean and organized but clearly focused on production first, tasting room second.