A new way to drink local has entered the Columbus scene, in the form of the city’s third distillery.
Manufacture-only company 451 Spirits, nestled in Clintonville, has begun distribution. The small production distillery is the brainchild of Chief Distiller Chad Kessler and Developer David Chew.
Kessler previously worked at an upscale liquor store, where he became intrigued with the aging process of spirits. After home experimentation and industry guidance from an experienced distiller paved his initial steps into the business, Kessler connected with business-savvy Chew. Production was rolling by 2015.
The company, located at 591 Oakland Park Avenue behind Wildflower Cafe, uses an old-style copper pot to distill artisan whiskey and rums. Currently, two products are on the Columbus market: Dear Johnny, a smoked apple whiskey; and Writer’s Block, a mint and lime-flavored rum distilled from pure cane molasses.
451 Spirits’ distillation involves a mash-up of techniques from around the world, combining the best techniques for their unique product. Solera aging, originated in Spain, uses fractional blending, a process that blends together a finished product from differently aged barrels. Their copper pot distillation is based in Ireland and Scotland, while their grain mash blends are North American in origin.
451 Spirits bottles will soon be available at fifteen stores around Columbus, including Weilands, Arena Wine and Spirits, and Kroger Short North, among others.
For more information, visit www.451spirits.com.