River Roots Barrel Company sits in Cleveland’s West Side at 3236 W 121st Street, founded by Michael and Tammy Karpinski who opened their doors in 2019. The husband-and-wife team transformed a modest industrial unit into a craft distillery after Michael’s career in manufacturing sparked his interest in the precision of distillation. They started with a 26-gallon copper still from Hillbilly Stills and have been methodically building their operation around small-batch bourbon and rye production. The 2,000-square-foot space houses their production equipment, a small tasting area, and barrel storage where they age their spirits in 15-gallon barrels for faster maturation. Michael handles the distillation while Tammy manages the business side, and they’ve built their reputation on being hands-on with every batch. They source their grain from Ohio farms when possible and focus on traditional mash bills with their own tweaks. The name “River Roots” reflects their connection to Cleveland’s industrial heritage along Lake Erie, and they’ve embraced being part of Ohio’s growing craft distilling scene. What started as weekend experimentation turned into a full-time operation when Michael retired early to focus on perfecting their recipes. Visitors find a no-frills operation where you’re likely to meet the owners themselves during tastings or tours. The atmosphere is more workshop than polished visitor center, which appeals to people who want to see actual production rather than a sanitized experience. They’ve been building a following among local bourbon enthusiasts who appreciate their experimental approach and willingness to try unusual mash bills. The small scale means limited availability, but that’s part of the appeal for collectors looking for something you can’t find everywhere.