Candella Micro-Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Candella Micro‑Distillery is a family‑owned micro‑distillery in Boardman, Ohio, run by Bill Candella and his brothers. The distillery produces handmade craft spirits at its own facility in the suburban area of Youngstown and is especially known for Y‑Town Vodka, which has won several gold medals. Production intentionally stays small-batch, and the range includes both a neutral vodka distilled from 100% cane sugar and flavored variants such as Expresso, where whole espresso beans are used to impart character.
History
Bill Candella began experimenting with wine in his spare time after a career as a telephone engineer. While Ohio changed the rules for craft distilleries, Bill explored opportunities and decided, together with his brothers, to establish Candella Micro‑Distillery in Boardman. The name and craft draw on a family history that also includes their grandfather Sullivan Candella, who was involved in bootlegging. Since the start, the family has produced all their spirits on site; Y‑Town Vodka has become a central product and is described as a four‑time gold winner at the American Distilling Institute, which has put the distillery on the map as a small, award-winning producer of craft vodka.
Ingredients and Production
The driving force of production is craftsmanship and small batches. The core product, Y‑Town Vodka, is distilled from 100% pure cane sugar, and the entire production is described as handmade on-site by the Candella family. The production prioritizes control in small batch sizes over scale; this applies to both the neutral vodka and the flavored variants. The Expresso version is produced with espresso beans from South America, described as locally roasted to impart a distinct coffee profile. Beyond the choice of raw materials, no details are mentioned about the types of pot stills, the number of distillations, or fermentation times in the available material.
Whiskies
The range is compact and centered on handcrafted spirits. Y‑Town Vodka serves as the flagship and is highlighted as a four-time gold winner, distilled from 100% cane sugar and produced in small batches. Alongside the neutral vodka are flavored variants, for example Y‑Town Expresso, which combines vodka with espresso beans from South America and locally roasted to create a coffee profile. The description points to a focus on a few, well‑crafted products rather than a broad portfolio.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candella Y-Town Vodka | Vodka | Y‑Town Vodka is distilled from 100% pure cane sugar and produced in small batches. It is described as clean and bright with a light sweet nose, a crisp taste and a warm, smooth finish without burning sensation. The product is described as the distillery's flagship.; Nose: Clean and lightly sweet aroma, described as a light sweet nose; Taste: Crisp taste with a slight sweetness from cane sugar; Aftertaste: Warm finish without burning sensation and without aftertaste | Core range; The product is sold in 750 ml; some states are exempt from sale according to retail information |
| Candella Y-Town Expresso Vodka | Vodka | Expresso‑edition is flavored with espresso beans from South America, described as locally roasted to create a full, coffee-like vodka. The product has a warm golden-brown color and is highlighted for its pronounced espresso aroma.; Nose: Light sweet aroma with a clear note of freshly roasted espresso beans; Taste: Rich and powerful flavor with espresso character; described as 'rich and bold' with a caffeine kick | 750 ml; some states are exempt from sale according to retail information |
The Whisky Style and Flavor Profile
The products lean in three clear directions: a light yet noticeable sweetness from the raw material (cane sugar), a clean and crisp neutrality in the neutral vodka, and a pronounced coffee/espresso character in the flavored varieties. Y‑Town Vodka is described with a clean, lightly sweet nose and a crisp palate with a warm, non-burning finish, while the Expresso edition highlights notes of freshly roasted espresso beans and a rich, bold coffee profile.
Philosophy and Craft
The company’s values include family‑run craftsmanship, small batch sizes, and direct, on‑site production. The Candella family emphasizes the handmade nature of their spirits and a focus on carefully chosen ingredients as part of the product identity. There is also a historical grounding in the family’s generations, underscoring the production’s local and personal character.
Awards and Recognitions
- Gold Medal (4× Gold Medal, Candella Y-Town Vodka)