Inspiring Conversations with Kevin Thomas of WESTERN RESERVE DISTILLERS

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Thomas.

Kevin , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We founded Western Reserve Distillers together in 2014, but the idea grew out of two very different professional backgrounds and a shared desire to build something meaningful of our own.

Kevin spent approximately 25 years with Nestlé Professional, where he gained extensive experience in food and beverage, sales, operations, and brand development. Ann’s career was primarily in marketing, including work with the American Cancer Society and several cancer care and medical organizations. Her background centered on communication, community engagement, fundraising, event development, and helping organizations connect with the people they served.

Over the years, we found that our skills complemented one another well. Kevin brought deep experience in the food and beverage industry and the operational side of building a business, while Ann brought a strong understanding of marketing, guest experience, community relationships, and creating programs that engage people.

We shared an interest in thoughtfully made spirits, great food, hospitality, and the possibility of creating a business that reflected our values. Eventually, we decided to take the leap and build Western Reserve Distillers in Lakewood.

From the beginning, we wanted to create more than a production distillery. We set out to build a place where people could learn how spirits are made, enjoy handcrafted cocktails and thoughtfully prepared food, and feel connected to the people and ingredients behind the experience. We also made a commitment to responsible sourcing and became Ohio’s first and only certified organic craft distillery.

Kevin transitioned into the business full-time in 2017, and Ann has played an equally important role in shaping and growing the company. Together, we have developed Western Reserve Distillers into a distillery, cocktail bar, farm-to-table restaurant, gift shop, tasting destination, and cocktail education program.

Today, we teach approximately 4,000 guests each year through our cocktail classes, while continuing to produce spirits, host tours and tastings, and create experiences that bring people together.

The journey has involved plenty of challenges, long hours, and unexpected turns, but it has always been a partnership. We have been fortunate to combine our individual strengths, build a talented team, and create something that has become deeply connected to the Lakewood and Greater Cleveland community. We are still growing, still learning, and still working together to make Western Reserve Distillers better every day.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but we do not think many worthwhile entrepreneurial journeys are.

Starting a distillery is an incredibly capital-intensive undertaking. Before you can sell the first bottle, there is a significant investment in equipment, construction, licensing, inventory, and compliance. Spirits also require patience. Unlike many products, whiskey must spend years aging in a barrel before it can generate revenue, so you are investing today in something you may not be able to sell for several years.

The regulatory environment is another major challenge. We operate in a highly controlled industry, with requirements at the federal, state, and local levels. Learning how to navigate those systems while also building a brand, producing spirits, managing a restaurant, and creating a great guest experience has required a tremendous amount of persistence.

We have also had to evolve continually. Western Reserve Distillers began primarily as a production distillery, but over time we expanded into a cocktail bar, restaurant, tours, tastings, private events, and cocktail education. Each part of the business has its own operational demands, and bringing them together under one roof can be both exciting and complicated.

The pandemic was one of the most difficult periods we experienced. Like many hospitality businesses, we had to adapt quickly, make difficult decisions, and find new ways to stay connected with our customers. But the challenges did not stop there. The implementation of tariffs in early 2025 had a significant impact on our costs, particularly for imported materials, equipment, packaging, and other essential supplies. Ongoing supply-chain disruptions have continued to create uncertainty, while rising fuel, labor, food, and operating costs have added even more pressure.

At the same time, consumers are feeling many of those same financial pressures. We are seeing people become more thoughtful about where and how they spend their money, which means small businesses have to work even harder to provide genuine value and memorable experiences. For us, that has meant continually evaluating our pricing, strengthening our programming, and finding creative ways to give guests a reason to choose a locally owned business.

There are also the everyday challenges that come with entrepreneurship: managing cash flow, finding and retaining great people, building distribution, and competing against much larger companies with significantly greater resources.

Through all of it, one of our greatest strengths has been that we have approached the business as a partnership. Kevin and Ann bring different perspectives and skill sets, and while we do not always see every challenge the same way, that balance has helped us make better decisions and keep moving forward.

The road has rarely been easy, but every challenge has taught us something. It has made us more resourceful, more disciplined, and even more committed to what we are building.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about WESTERN RESERVE DISTILLERS?
Western Reserve Distillers is a certified organic craft distillery, cocktail bar, farm-to-table restaurant, event space, and education destination located in Lakewood, Ohio.

At the heart of the business, we produce a wide range of handcrafted spirits, including bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and agave spirits. We are especially proud to be Ohio’s first and only certified organic craft distillery. That certification reflects a commitment we made from the beginning to thoughtfully sourced ingredients, transparency, and producing spirits with care and integrity.

What truly sets us apart, however, is that we have never viewed Western Reserve Distillers as simply a place that makes and sells bottles. We wanted to create a complete experience around spirits, food, hospitality, and education.

Guests can visit the distillery, see how our spirits are made, sample products, enjoy handcrafted cocktails, dine in our restaurant, attend special events, or participate in one of our cocktail classes. Our restaurant focuses on thoughtfully prepared, farm-to-table food, while our cocktail program is designed to make high-quality drinks approachable and enjoyable rather than intimidating.

Education has become one of the most distinctive parts of our brand. We teach approximately 4,000 guests each year through cocktail classes, tastings, and other educational experiences. Our classes range from introductory programs to focused sessions on bourbon, gin, vodka, agave spirits, classic cocktails, and home entertaining. We want people to leave not only having had a good time, but also feeling more confident and knowledgeable.

We are also proud of the breadth of what we have built. It is unusual to find the distillery, restaurant, cocktail bar, classroom, private-event space, and retail experience all operating together under one roof. Each part supports the others and allows guests to connect with our products in a much deeper way than simply seeing a bottle on a shelf.

Brand-wise, we are most proud that Western Reserve Distillers has become known for authenticity, quality, education, and hospitality. We are an independent, family-owned business, and Kevin and Ann remain directly involved in nearly every aspect of the operation. Our names and reputations are attached to everything we produce and every experience we create, so we take that responsibility very personally.

More than anything, we want readers to know that Western Reserve Distillers is a place to gather, learn, celebrate, and experience locally made spirits in a welcoming environment. Whether someone is an experienced whiskey enthusiast, curious about cocktails, planning a date night, or simply looking for a great meal, we want them to feel that there is something here for them.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the most valuable things we have done is become actively involved with the Ohio Distillers Guild and build relationships with other craft producers across the state.

The craft distilling community is relatively small, and many of us face the same challenges—regulatory issues, sourcing, distribution, production, staffing, and building consumer awareness. Being able to speak openly with other distillers, compare experiences, and learn from people who have already worked through similar problems has been incredibly helpful.

Our advice for finding a mentor is not to begin by formally asking someone to “be your mentor.” Instead, start by getting involved, showing up consistently, asking thoughtful questions, and looking for ways to contribute. The strongest mentoring relationships often develop naturally over time through mutual respect and shared experience.

Networking also works best when it is genuine and reciprocal. It should not only be about what someone else can do for you. We have always tried to share what we have learned, support other local producers, and be available when someone else is working through a challenge we may have already encountered.

Industry associations, guilds, trade events, supplier relationships, and local business organizations can all be valuable, but the most important thing is engagement. Attend the meetings, participate in the conversations, volunteer when opportunities arise, and follow up with people afterward.

For us, some of the most useful advice has come from other craft producers who understand the realities of building a small, independent business. Those relationships have provided not only practical guidance, but also encouragement and perspective during difficult periods.

Pricing:

• Western Reserve Organic Blanco — $24.99, 750 mL
• Western Reserve Organic Reposado — $29.99, 750 mL
• Western Reserve Organic Premium Gin — $24.99, 750 mL
• Western Reserve Small Batch Bourbon — $32.99, 750 mL
• Western Reserve 8-Year Single Barrel Bourbon — $59.99 750 mL

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedistilleryatwrd.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westernreservedistillers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Westernreservedistillers