Red Eagle Distillery

Short overview of the distillery

Red Eagle Distillery is located in a charming 19th-century barn in Geneva, Ohio. The site produces five local spirits — bourbon, rye, a grape-based barrel-aged vodka, brandy, and a maple syrup spirit — and is closely tied to neighboring wineries, which gives the products a clear local provenance.

History

Red Eagle is housed in a barn dating from the 19th century, and the building's history provides the backdrop for the distillery's operations. The distillery sits between South River Winery and M Cellars, and the owners also own South River Winery, which has created a local hub for wine and spirits visits. A notable element of its modern profile is that Red Eagle produces bourbon and whiskey and is described as the first place in Ohio where this has been legal since Prohibition. Its close relationships with local farmers and wineries have shaped both ingredient choices and the visitor experience.

Raw materials and production

Production is based on local ingredients: the bourbon is distilled from a proprietary blend of Northeast Ohio grains (corn, wheat, and barley), rye from a blend of Ohio rye, malted barley, and corn. The vodka is unusual in being made from grapes from the neighboring winery and then barrel-aged. Brandy is based on grape spirit and aged for at least two years. Red Maple is made from Ohio maple syrup and distilled into a spirit, which is then aged. The distillery highlights personal relationships with local suppliers as a central part of the craft.

Maturation and barrel types

Aging practices vary between products: bourbon ages up to six years, rye at least two years, and brandy at least two years. The vodka is aged in a barrel after distillation, and Red Maple is aged for two years in barrels. There are no details available about specific previous cask contents or use of new oak.

Whiskies

The core lineup consists of five spirits: an Ohio Bourbon (90.2 proof), a Rye (90 proof), a grape-based barrel-aged Vodka, a grape brandy, and Red Maple made from local maple syrup. The products tie the distillery's local ingredients and collaboration with the neighboring winery together and span from classic bourbon and rye to more unconventional, barrel-influenced variants.

Whisky	Type / Series	Age	Cask & Style	Flavor Profile	Status
Bourbon	Bourbon	Up to 6 years	Barrel	Ohio Bourbon, 90.2 proof, distilled with Red Eagle's proprietary blend of Northeast Ohio grains: corn, wheat and barley. Aged up to six years.	Current; Core range
Rye	Rye	At least 2 years	Barrel	Rye, 90 proof, made from a blend of Ohio rye, malted barley and corn. Aged for at least two years.	Current; Core range
Vodka (grape-based, barrel-aged)	Vodka		Barrel	Grape-based vodka, made with grapes from the adjacent South River Winery and subsequently barrel-aged, which gives a different character than grain- or potato-based vodkas.	Current; Core range
Brandy	Brandy	At least 2 years	Barrel	Brandy based on grape spirit; described as a balance of smoothness from grape spirit and complexity from aging. Aged for at least two years.	Current; Core range
Red Maple	Red Maple	2 years	Barrel	Spirit distilled from Ohio maple syrup and aged for two years; described as suitable as a substitute for whisky or rum in cocktails.	Current; Core range

The whiskies' style and flavor profile

Several concrete directions emerge: the rye is described as more spicy, the brandy as smooth with increased complexity from aging, and the vodka as different due to the barrel-aging of grape spirit. Taken together, these descriptions point to a lineup that combines spicy grain character with vinous and barrel-related nuances.

Visit the distillery

The distillery has an inviting bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Guests can order cocktails, and facilities include a restroom in the red building behind the barn. Red Eagle sits close to M Cellars and South River Winery, making it a convenient stop on a combined wine-tasting tour.

Philosophy and craft

Red Eagle prioritizes local sourcing and personal relationships with its suppliers. The distillery consciously selects local grains, grapes, and maple syrup and emphasizes knowing the people who grow the ingredients.