Hayner Distilling sits in downtown Troy, Ohio, bringing back a name that once meant something in American whiskey. The original Hayner Distilling Company was a powerhouse in the late 1800s and early 1900s, claiming to be the world’s largest distillery before Prohibition killed it off in 1919. Fast forward to 2016, and Troy residents Sandy and Dan Kleingers decided their hometown deserved its whiskey legacy back. They opened this craft operation in a restored building on Lincoln Avenue, complete with a copper still and tasting room that honors the original company’s history. The new Hayner focuses on small-batch bourbon, rye, and vodka, with plans that feel both respectful to the past and realistic about the present. Sandy handles much of the day-to-day operations while Dan focuses on production, and they’ve built something that feels authentically local rather than trying to recreate some mythical version of the old days. You’ll find them producing around 200 gallons per batch, which keeps things manageable while they build their aging inventory. The space includes production areas where you can see the copper still at work, plus a tasting room where they pour their current releases alongside cocktails made with their spirits.