ASHVILLE, Ohio (January 9, 2024) — M&O Spirits, a rapidly rising distillery in Ashville, is not only gaining recognition for its craft liquors but is also setting its sights on expansion in the coming year.
Founded by Doug McLaughlin and Mike Orozco, the distillery, located about 21 miles south of downtown Columbus, has been steadily earning awards for its high-quality spirits. Most recently, in spring 2024, M&O was honored with the prestigious Best American Craft Spirits award from the John BarleyCorn Society, an international rating agency. The distillery also received the Best Single Barrel Bourbon award, with its Batch 27 Cask Strength bourbon scoring an impressive 96 out of 100 points. In addition, Smoke bourbon whiskey received a score of 90 and earned double gold awards for its craftsmanship.
The accolades for M&O’s offerings have continued to pile up, with Black bourbon and Black cask strength both earning double gold in 2023, and Batch 27 also receiving double gold in the fall.
Both McLaughlin, the master distiller and CEO, and Orozco attribute the distillery’s success to the high-quality ingredients they source locally. For their bourbons, M&O uses Ohio-grown corn, wheat, and rye, while malted barley is sourced from Canada. The distillery’s 53-gallon white oak barrels, which are sourced from Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Jackson, Ohio, also play a significant role in crafting the distinctive flavors of their spirits. M&O’s Char 4 bourbon barrels, designed with double-oaked staves, provide the smoky, caramel finish that distinguishes their products.
“This is true craft, in-house production from start to finish,” Orozco said. “This is true Ohio craft.”
M&O Spirits offers a diverse selection of liquors, including a quadruple-distilled seasonal pumpkin-spice whiskey, Ta-Da! white whiskey, potato vodka, and their flagship Smoke and Black bourbons. Their Cask Strength Black and Cask Strength Smoke (known as Batch 27) are only available for purchase at the distillery’s location at 65 W. Main St. and have an average proof of 125.
The distillery’s journey began in 2014 when McLaughlin started experimenting with spirits in his Grove City basement. After perfecting his recipes, McLaughlin and Orozco made the decision to turn their passion into a business. By 2017, the duo found a permanent home in a 1,750-square-foot warehouse. Their first release came in 2020, after aging their liquors for 2½ years. Now, all their spirits are aged for a full four years.
Currently, M&O distills about 200 gallons or seven barrels a year, producing approximately 1,500 750-milliliter bottles annually. Their products are available year-round until they sell out, with distribution to local restaurants and 28 central Ohio liquor agencies, including Chateau Wine & Spirits, Kroger, and Giant Eagle Market District.
Looking ahead, McLaughlin and Orozco hope to acquire a building for a rickhouse to store their barrels, which would free up space in their distillery for greater production. McLaughlin, who has also developed a passion for leatherworking, has begun creating handmade goods to accompany their merchandise.
Despite the award-winning reputation and craftsmanship behind their spirits, Orozco is proud that M&O’s products remain affordable.
“Even though it is craft and award-winning, our spirits are very affordable,” he said.
For those interested in a deeper look at the distillery, M&O offers tours of the facility ($15 per person) by appointment only. With their growing success and plans for expansion, M&O Spirits is poised to become a major player in Ohio’s craft distillery scene.
