How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Ohio

Western Reserve Distillers

Lakewood,

Ohio

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌽

Ohio Sourced

Corn and grains from local farms

⚗️

Copper Craft

Custom stills, hands-on every batch

🏭

Working Space

Converted industrial, authentic workshop feel

🥃

Full Size

Traditional barrels, no shortcuts taken

👥

Founder Led

Two friends who left corporate life

🔍

Process Focus

Engineering precision meets traditional methods

📞 (216) 333-9291

🌐 http://www.westernreservedistillers.com/

📍 14221 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Cleveland's Craft Spirit Hidden Gem

Western Reserve Distillers sits on Madison Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio, bringing craft spirits to Cleveland’s west side suburbs. Founded by Jim Grubich and Mark Kovach, two longtime friends who traded corporate careers for copper stills, the distillery opened its doors in 2016 after a three-year journey from concept to reality. What started as conversations over whiskey became a mission to create Ohio-made spirits that could compete with established names. The operation runs out of a converted industrial space that they’ve transformed into a working distillery and tasting room, complete with custom-built copper stills and American oak barrels. They focus on bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka, taking a hands-on approach to every step of the process from mashing to bottling. Grubich handles the distillation side while Kovach manages operations, and together they’ve built something that feels both professional and personal. The space reflects their no-nonsense approach—functional equipment, honest spirits, and a welcoming atmosphere for anyone curious about how whiskey gets made in Ohio.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Ohio Grain to Glass The Patient Way

Western Reserve stands out as one of the few grain-to-glass distilleries in the greater Cleveland area, sourcing their corn, wheat, and rye from Ohio farms when possible. Their approach emphasizes traditional bourbon-making methods adapted to Ohio’s climate, aging their whiskey in full-size barrels rather than the smaller barrels some craft distilleries use to speed up the process. The founders’ backgrounds in business and engineering show up in their methodical approach to recipe development and quality control. They’re also among the earlier craft distilleries to establish themselves in Lakewood, helping put this suburb on the map for spirits tourism. Rather than rushing products to market, they’ve taken time to let their whiskey age properly, building a reputation for patience in an industry where many new distilleries feel pressure to release young spirits quickly.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Behind the Scenes No Tourist Polish

Tours at Western Reserve give you a genuine behind-the-scenes look at a working distillery operation, not a polished show. You’ll walk through their production area where the mash tanks and copper stills dominate the space, and the founders or staff explain each step of their process with the kind of detail that shows they actually do the work themselves. The tasting room has a straightforward setup where you can sample their current releases while learning about what goes into each bottle. The atmosphere feels more like visiting a craftsman’s workshop than a tourist attraction—you might catch them in the middle of a distilling run or barrel dumping. Tastings focus on their bourbon and rye expressions, with staff happy to explain the differences in mash bills and aging techniques. It’s the kind of place where you leave understanding more about whiskey-making than when you arrived.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Real Craft Distilling Worth the Drive

This is a solid stop for anyone genuinely interested in craft distilling rather than just collecting passport stamps at every distillery. You won’t find elaborate gift shops or Instagram-worthy cocktail lounges, but you will get an authentic look at how two guys built a distillery from scratch in suburban Ohio. The spirits themselves show promise, especially considering the relatively short time they’ve been aging. If you’re touring Ohio distilleries or exploring Cleveland’s craft beverage scene, Western Reserve offers something different from the bigger operations—personal attention and the chance to taste spirits from a distillery that’s still in its growth phase. It’s particularly appealing if you enjoy supporting local businesses that are building something real rather than just capitalizing on the whiskey boom.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm they’re open for tours and tastings, as their schedule can vary based on production needs. The location is easy to find on Madison Avenue, with decent parking available on-site. Tours work best when you can ask questions about their process—these guys know their equipment and recipes intimately. Try their bourbon alongside their rye to understand how they approach different mash bills. If you’re planning to buy bottles, check what’s currently available since their inventory depends on what’s ready to release. Don’t expect a highly scripted experience; the appeal here is the authentic, unpolished insight into craft distilling. Weekend visits tend to be busier, so weekday tours might give you more personal attention.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Western Reserve Distillers — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to book tours in advance?

Yes, calling ahead is recommended since tour availability depends on production schedules and staffing. They’re a small operation so advance notice helps ensure someone’s available to show you around properly.

What’s the difference between their bourbon and rye?

Their bourbon uses a high-corn mash bill for sweetness and body, while the rye whiskey features more rye grain for spice and complexity. Both are aged in new American oak barrels using similar techniques, so you can taste how grain recipes affect the final product.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes, they sell bottles of their current releases on-site, though availability depends on what’s ready for release from their aging inventory. Selection may be limited compared to larger distilleries since they’re still building up aged stock.

GETTING THERE

Find Western Reserve Distillers

📍14221 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA

—

📞 (216) 333-9291

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