If you’re the type of drinker who prefers to reach for the locally-made product on the shelf, then we’ve got some great news for you. Watershed Distillery has begun manufacturing local gin and vodka in the Fifth by Northwest neighborhood, located just north of Grandview Heights. You won’t have to wait long to try it either, because Ohio’s Division of Liquor Control just gave them the go-ahead last week to begin to sell their products on December 1st.
“Next month we’ll be in 25 Central Ohio liquor stores,” said co-owner Greg Lehman. “That includes both our gin and vodka.”
Watershed Distillery’s gin is their signature drink with a lighter, smoother taste and unique citrus notes.
“We use a decent amount of juniper, but also include orange peel, lime peel, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, corridander, allspice and a few other things as well,” explained Lehman. “We like to think it’s both a non-gin-drinker’s gin as well as a gin-drinker’s gin.”
Watershed’s vodka mirrors the gin in terms of the lighter, cleaner base, but has fewer signature additions and is a bit more traditional on flavor.
“We’re putting our vodka through the still four times,” said Lehman. “It’s gluten-free being 100% corn-based, and made from corn completely grown in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.”
“We’re also working on a whiskey that is just now starting to age, so it probably won’t be ready until late next year,” adds Lehman.
In addition to being found in state liquor stores, Watershed’s products will soon be available in local bars and restaurants.
“We’ve spoken to a lot of different bars and restaurants but we don’t really have a full list put together yet,” said Lehman. “I expect in December there will be 14 or 15 places you can find us. It will take a little bit of time to get the product distributed.”
The Watershed name originates from a location the owners had scouted for their production facility near Rocky Fork Creek, but was re-purposed to focus on the “watershed moments” in people’s lives and connect their brand with momentous occasions and causes for celebration.
“We’ve got a chalkboard that we’re taking around to events where people can write in their ‘watershed moments’ and we take their photo and share it on Facebook,” said Lehman. “It’s a great way to share the things that people are excited about.”
Several tasting events are being planned for December in collaboration with local restaurants and bars. More information will be available as soon as those dates are announced.
More information can be found online at WatershedDistillery.com.