Cleveland’s most spirited gem: Lake Erie Distillery

By Patricia Nugent

Lake County’s best kept secret is out.

Tucked back into a quiet industrial parkway in Willoughby, you’ll discover a charming place that’s equal parts mom-and-pop shop, award-winning maker of craft spirits and ultra-hip tasting lounge.

Founded by Fred and Cathy Wisen, Lake Erie Distillery is a success story born from necessity. In 2016, after the couple visited distilleries throughout the south to whet Fred’s whistle for bourbon, they returned to Cleveland and wondered, why can’t there be great quality, yet affordable spirits made here? So, knowing nothing about the distillery business, the couple got busy, spending two years in development, experimenting with American Oak Barrel aging—sourcing organic, all-natural, all-local ingredients—and creating a process that’s environmentally conscious. Their first bottles, including bourbon, maple whisky, Jamaican-style rum, vodka and dill pickle-flavored vodka, hit store shelves, bars and restaurants in late 2021.

Standing Above the Others
“Our business model is to create a small amount of an amazing product, not a huge amount of a mediocre product,” says Fred. “Our most popular bottle is bourbon, which is a traditional, Kentucky-style recipe, barrel-aged for four years and made from an organic mash.”

The Wisens like to stand above the crowd, so they also created a dill pickle-infused vodka. They are the only ones who make it in Ohio.

“Once anyone tastes a Bloody Mary made with our pickle vodka, they declare it’s the best one they’ve ever drank,” says Fred. “We are also the only one in the area to make a true Jamaican-style rum, with both molasses and sugar cane for a more complex, caramel and butterscotch flavor.”

He reports there’s a common misconception that you have to pay top dollar for top-quality liquor.

“We’ve competed against the best names in the industry and beat many of them, at a much lower price point,” he adds. “It’s important to us to offer the best quality at a low price. This allows our customers to be everyday sippers of ‘the good stuff’, while staying affordable. That’s our mission.”

As a hyper-local, family-owned operation, Fred is proud to say that in addition to himself and Cathy, his 89-year-old mother Grace gets into the act by putting labels on the bottles and, of course, taste testing.

Come in and Stay Awhile
Tours of the distillery were becoming so popular, the couple decided to expand their space into an inviting lounge, which recently opened.

Seating about 50 in comfy leather chairs and on a slipcovered sofa, and at an expansive bar flanked with corrugated steel to lend a funky industrial-chic feel, the space has already become a hit for local groups and fans who enjoy hanging out at the distillery. In the front retail shop, folks can stop in and buy it by the bottle.

“We bought rum, bourbon and three different flavors of beef jerky before heading out of state,” reports Elizabeth Hamm Justice. “Buy for gifts but be warned it will be difficult to part with. Stop by and try some free tastings. Lake Erie Distillery is another Cleveland gem.”

This month the lounge is expanding its hours for Happy Hour on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy special pricing on beer and snacks, which include gourmet meat and cheeseboards and craft cocktail specials, too. (Don’t miss the Lake Erie Sunset, a rich and tantalizing blend of Jamaican rum, triple sec, banana liqueur and grenadine served with pineapple and orange.)

Cathy is planning a slew of events at the lounge this summer, including private tastings and educational nights.

Enmeshed in the Community
As life-long residents of Lake County, Fred and Cathy are devoted to local charities and community events. They’re known for going big instead of going home and have served as presenting sponsor for the Arts Fest in downtown Willoughby. They have also sponsored and donated to Farm-to-Table in Painesville, the Cleveland Marathon, Special Wish Foundation, Forbes House and various sports teams and schools in the area.

“If a group benefits children, veterans or animals, you can bet we are helping support them,” says Cathy.

Sour Pickletini

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Lake Erie Distillery Dill Pickle Vodka
• ½ ounce bread and butter pickle juice
• 2 ounces sweet and sour mix
• Splash of lime juice
• Splash of soda
• A bread and butter pickle chip for garnish

Combine all ingredients except soda in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 12 seconds. Strain over ice into a glass and add a splash of soda and pickle chip on the rim.

“Our customers tell us this is the perfect accompaniment to a summer barbecue,” says Cathy Wisen.

Lake Erie Distillery is located at 4277 Hamann Industrial Parkway in Willoughby. Call 440-579-3725 or visit LakeErieDistillery.com for more information.