Margarita Madness At The Purple People Bridge : May 17th

A Bourbon Blending and Tasting Experience Coming to Downtown Cincinnati to Offer Spirits, History and a Little Bit of AI

Willow Run Custom Bourbon plans to open on Walnut Street in mid-2024.

Apr 5, 2024 at 1:44 pm

Willow Run Custom Bourbon is coming to 645 Walnut St. Photo: facebook.com/Willow Run Bourbon

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A new bourbon blending experience that’s paying homage to Cincinnati history and the enduring values of freedom, courage and resilience will be opening downtown sometime this year.

Willow Run Custom Bourbon, opening at 645 Walnut St. across from the Aronoff Center, will offer bourbon blending and tasting experiences. Named after a distilling company founded in Cincinnati in 1865 by Irish immigrant William J. McRoberts Jr., this revival of Willow Run seeks to honor McRoberts’ legacy.

Early in his career, McRoberts operated as an Underground Railroad conductor, concealing people escaping slavery in bourbon barrels as they crossed the Ohio River. Willow Run of today says these actions epitomize the spirit of freedom and courage deeply ingrained in Cincinnati's history.

"We are proud to revive the legacy of Willow Run and honor the indomitable spirit of Cincinnati," Katie Schneider, partner at Willow Run, said in a press release. "Our mission is not only to share our exceptional bourbon through exciting experiences and custom bottles, but also to pay homage to the remarkable story of McRoberts and his contributions to the fight for freedom."

Willow Run will offer guests three distinct tasting experiences, including a custom, 45-minute bourbon blending experience where guests can craft a bourbon to their preferences and buy and name a bottle of it. There’s also “Flight School,” an immersive tasting experience where guests sample a curated selection of bourbon flights paired with expertly crafted cocktails.

The final experience is where the history of Willow Run meets the future. Bourbon Wizard offers an AI-driven recommendation system that will give personalized bourbon selections to guests.

"We're excited to offer an array of tasting experiences that cater to bourbon enthusiasts of all levels," said Schneider. "Whether you're a seasoned bourbon aficionado or a curious newcomer, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Willow Run."

To get the latest on Willow Run, including its opening date, you can follow them on Facebook or Instagram @WillowRunBourbon. The business also has a Kickstarter.

More info: willowrunbourbon.com.

Slideshow

Go Back in Time With These Historic Photos of Cincinnati's Landmarks

John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, 1867At first glance it might appear the Roebling Bridge is just a smaller-scale model of the massive Brooklyn Bridge, but that’s not the case. The Roebling, which connects downtown Cincinnati to Covington, is actually the older (and, in our opinion, cooler) sibling to the Brooklyn Bridge, both having been designed and built by John A. Roebling. Construction on the Roebling was completed in 1866 and, at the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Construction on the Brooklyn Bridge wasn’t completed until 1883.

Elephant performing tricks at the Cincinnati Zoo, date unknown

Panda at the Cincinnati Zoo, 1988In 1988, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens hosted a visiting panda bear, Chia Chia, who was stopping over for three months when he was being moved from a zoo in London to one in Mexico City, according to an article from the New York Times at the time. After his arrival, the zoo had to close the exhibit for at least five days because Chia Chia was homesick. Chia Chia left the zoo at the end of November that year, and while the zoo said his overall stay was a success, they were disappointed he didn't generate more money and crowds, according to this 1988 article.

Cincinnati Zoo showing the opera pavilion at the right, 1920From 1920 to 1972, the Cincinnati Summer Opera performed in this open-air pavilion. The performances were broadcast by NBC Radio, and, at its peak, the opera put on 18 productions over 61 performances in its 10-week season. The zoo performances also saw a number of now-famous opera singers, including Beverly Sills, James Morris, Norman Treigle, Sherrrill Milnes, Roberta Peters and Montserrat Caballé, according to Cincinnati Opera.

Kemper log house, date unknown Built in 1804 by Rev. James Kemper, this log house was originally located on what's now Kemper Lane near McMillan Street in Walnut Hills, and it's one of the oldest remaining houses built in Cincinnati. It was relocated to the Cincinnati Zoo in 1912 or 1913 and moved again in 1982 to Sharon Woods' Heritage Village, where you can see it to this day.

Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati, 1910. Photo by Young & Carl Fountain Square's long been regarded as the heart of Cincinnati. It was gifted to the city by American hardware magnate Henry Probasco in memory of his business partner and brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson, whom the fountain is named for. The square once existed as an island down Fifth Street but was renovated in the '70s to widen the plaza and change the flow of traffic. It was renovated and redesigned again in the early 2000s to attract more visitors and serve as a hub for events downtown.

Aerial view of Fountain Square showing booths of the Pure Food Show, circa 1907-1919. Photo by Elmer L. Foote, the Cincinnati Library's staff photographer from 1907-1919

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...