History

Cleveland Whiskey is an American whiskey distillery that combines traditional bourbon craftsmanship with technological innovation. It is presented as a company that works with the Cleveland Underground concept and emphasizes wood-driven flavor profiles during the finish. According to the website, they have moved to a new facility in South Flats in Cleveland and are opening to the public with tours and limited shop hours. The new address is 601 Stones Levee Cleveland, OH 44113. The shop team is open Thursday–Friday from 12:00–18:00 and Saturday from 10:30–15:00, and tours must be booked in advance. Cleveland Whiskey also highlights partnerships with bars and restaurants to offer unique experiences.

Production

Cleveland Whiskey describes an approach where they take nature's miracle and transform it into science by controlling temperature, pressure, oxygen infusion and cavitation. This process allows them to use wood species beyond oak for finishing, including Sugar Maple, Apple and Black Cherry, which provide very distinctive flavor profiles to Underground bourbons. According to the site, they mature very young whiskey – aged in barrels for less than six months – and instead of letting the whiskey stay in the barrel, they remove the liquid from the barrel. The staves from the barrel are cut and measured to monitor oxygen content, surface area and moisture, after which the wood is added to the whiskey in pressure-capable stainless steel tanks. They emphasize a vision of being Radically Different and Whiskey Without Limits.

Products / Whisky Series

Underground Bourbon Finished with Black Cherry Wood – 94 Proof (4.5 cl) – Rich texture and rounded profile with a light cherry note. Underground Bourbon Finished with Apple Wood – 90 Proof – Light and airy body with sweetness and baked-spice notes and an almost tangy finish. Underground Bourbon Finished with Sugar Maple Wood – 92 Proof – Rich and full-bodied with subtle sweet notes of maple, vanilla and caramel. These products are produced as bourbons finished with non-oak woods rather than traditional oak, which according to the site gives unique flavor profiles that are not necessarily achieved with traditional casks.

Tours / Experiences

Distillery tours are possible, and the experience includes a whiskey tasting. Public tours are planned, according to the site, on Friday and Saturday. - Address: 601 Stones Levee Cleveland, OH 44113. - Parking options: Free on-site parking. - Duration: 60–90 minutes. - Photography: Allowed, unless otherwise indicated. - Bar after tour: No current bar/restaurant facility on-site. - Attire: Closed-toe shoes recommended, as you will be in a production facility environment. - Age: Participants aged 16 or older may participate, but persons under 21 may not consume alcohol. - Accessibility: Yes, ramp access and all areas on one level. - Delays: Tours cannot be rescheduled or held for late arrivals.

Philosophy

Cleveland Whiskey emphasizes a philosophy of being “It’s All About the Wood” and “Radically Different®” – the combination of tradition and science to renew the whiskey world. They speak of “Cleveland Underground” and their vision “Whiskey. Without Limits™”, including the use of woods beyond oak and balanced finishing methods without added sugar, syrup or artificial color.