Echo Spirits Distilling Co.
About the Distillery
Echo Spirits Distilling Co. is a craft distillery in Columbus, Ohio, producing award-winning rum and grain-based spirits in small batches. At 985 W. 6th Ave., they combine a spirit shop, an award-winning cocktail bar, and an active events calendar with limited releases such as the annual Queen's Share Rum. The distillery has gained national and international recognition through medals and special releases.
History
The history of Echo Spirits truly began in 2019 when the distillery’s still was fired up in October of that year. In the years that followed, the site quickly established itself as a producer of both rum and grain-based spirits, and as early as 2021 the distillery received international recognition as USA Flavored Rum Distillery of the Year at the Berlin International Spirits Competition. Subsequent years saw more medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including Double Gold in 2022 and again in 2023. In 2023 Echo Spirits released its first two bourbons, a 95-proof and a barrel-proof, created by blending two different bourbon mashbills. The distillery’s annual Queen's Share release has become a local tradition, with newer years featuring single-barrel and barrel-proof releases for sale directly from the distillery.
Raw Materials and Production
Echo Spirits produces both molasses-based rum and grain-based spirits such as bourbon and rye. The raw materials include molasses for rum and traditional bourbon- and rye-mash bills with corn, rye, and malted barley. The distillery works with small-batch production and continually experiments with blend ratios and cask use; a central technique is blending two different bourbon mashbills in a unique ratio for their bourbons. They also redesign certain rum stills to create special releases, and the Engineer Series serves as a blending workbench where casks from different sources are combined into unique, non-repeating releases. Production and experiences are closely connected: guests can participate in behind-the-scenes tours and even fill their own bottles from a barrel.
Aging and Cask Types
Used bourbon barrels are central in Echo Spirits' aging strategy and are used for many rum and whiskey releases. The distillery also experiments with other casks, including used rye casks and select new barrels. For certain special projects they have experimented with additional finish methods, such as the addition of charred cherrywood chips after aging (Cherrysmoke). The Queen's Share line is typically aged in used bourbon barrels; the 2024 release was a single-barrel, barrel-proof bottle aged three years and four months in a used bourbon barrel from Watershed Distillery.
Whiskies
The portfolio ranges from white and flavored rums (white rum, pineapple, and spiced rum) to grain-based spirits such as bourbons, rye, and special series. The core selection includes several rum products, while the Engineer Series represents the distillery's experimental bourbon blends. In addition, Echo Spirits releases annual and one-off limited editions such as Queen's Share, single-barrel rye, and experimental rum variants. The distillery sells via its own spirit shop, local State Liquor Agencies in Ohio, and an online partner.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer Series Bourbon | Bourbon (blended series) | Various | Engineer Series serves as the distillery's blending workbench, where casks are selected and combined into unique, non-repeating releases. | Limited; Release-based | ||
| 95-Proof Bourbon | Bourbon | 47.5 % | One of the two inaugural bourbons, created by blending two different mashbills in a unique ratio to create a classic yet flavorful bourbon.; Nose: Tea leaves, white chocolate, peppered cherry, marzipan, pistachio (as described by the distillery’s founder). | Current; Selected retailers / distillery | ||
| Barrel-Proof Bourbon | Bourbon (Barrel proof) | Used bourbon barrel; finish: Bottled at barrel strength (barrel proof) | The more challenging, stronger bourbon aimed at connoisseurs, bottled at barrel strength.; Nose: Described with notes of pecans, cantaloupe, crème brûlée, chipotle cherries and fruited tobacco. | Current; Selected retailers / distillery | ||
| Small Batch Bourbon | Bourbon | One of the distillery’s bourbon expressions mentioned in recent competition briefs. | ||||
| Straight Rye Whiskey | Rye | The distillery's rye expression, highlighted in competitions and blog posts. | ||||
| Rye Whiskey Single Barrel 1754 | Rye (Single barrel) | Single barrel (warehouse) | A single barrel selected from the warehouse, described in a review as particularly tobacco- and leather-forward.; Nose: Tobacco and leather (described in a retrospective review by the distillery’s team). | Discontinued; Former release | ||
| Rye Whiskey Batches 1, 3 and 4 | Rye | Earlier batches of rye whiskey that have been the subject of internal reviews. | Discontinued; Historic releases | |||
| Elusive Herbal Liqueur | Liqueur | One of the distillery’s liqueur releases, which won Double Gold at the SFWSC 2026. | ||||
| Cherrysmoke Rum | Rum (smoked/finished) | Used bourbon barrel; finish: Added charred cherrywood chips after aging | An experimental rum expression combining traditional aging with wood-chip addition. | |||
| White Rum | Rum (White) | Not aged | The distillery’s white rum, unaged and part of the core rum lineup. | Active; Core range; Year-to-year/core selection | ||
| Pineapple Rum | Rum (Flavored) | Not aged | Flavored rum in the distillery's portfolio, listed among their core rum products. | Active; Core range; Core selection | ||
| Spiced Rum | Rum (Spiced) | The distillery's spiced rum, highlighted as a balanced and deep interpretation of the genre.; Nose: Spices with layers of vanilla, orange and cinnamon mentioned in discussions of spiced rum typologies. | Active; Core range; Core selection | |||
| Queen's Share Rum (2024 single-barrel, barrel proof) | Rum (Special/Annual) | 3 years, 4 months | Used bourbon barrel (single barrel); finish: Barrel-proof single-barrel release; typically aged in a used bourbon barrel for Queen's Share | Annual limited-edition rum, here a 2024 single-barrel barrel-proof edition aged three years and four months in a used bourbon barrel from Watershed Distillery; sold exclusively at the distillery in 750-ml bottles. | Limited; Only at Echo Spirits (limited release) |
The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile
The flavor directions include both fruity and nutty notes, as well as spices and dark, oak-driven nuances. From the founder’s descriptions of the bourbons, notes such as tea leaves, white chocolate, peppered cherry, and marzipan as well as pistachio are mentioned; the barrel-proof edition is described with pecans, cantaloupe, crème brûlée, chipotle cherries, and fruited tobacco. The distillery's spiced rum is also described in relation to vanilla, orange, and cinnamon, and some rye releases are described as tobacco- and leather-forward. These directions recur across several products and competition briefs.
Visit the Distillery
Echo Spirits welcomes visitors to its Spirit Shop and The Bar at Echo Spirits, a cocktail bar located at the distillery’s address. Guests can participate in behind-the-scenes tours, do tastings in the tasting room, purchase year-round selections in the spirit shop, and attend special events such as Queen's Share launches. Experiences such as filling your own bottle from a barrel are also offered. There are Spirit Shops in Powell and Sandusky, and some products can be purchased through Ohio State Liquor Agencies and an online partner.
Philosophy and Craft
Echo Spirits values craft, local collaboration, and ongoing experimentation. The distillery’s approach blends traditional techniques with creative cask experiments and a deliberate effort to support local suppliers. They prioritize small batches, direct customer contact through experiences, and a sustainable approach with a focus on waste reduction and local sourcing.
Sustainability
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Works with local sourcing to reduce transport and support local suppliers.
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Reduces waste and highlights sustainability as a priority in operations.
Awards and Recognitions
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Double Gold (2022, Double Gold, Rum)
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Double Gold (2023, Double Gold, Rum)
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USA Flavored Rum Distillery of the Year (2021, Winner)
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Double Gold (2026, Double Gold (Elusive Herbal Liqueur), Elusive Herbal Liqueur)
Latest News
DOUBLE GOLD IN SAN FRANCISCO – 2026-06-09
Echo Spirits received several medals at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including Double Gold for Elusive Herbal Liqueur, Gold for Small Batch Bourbon, and Silver medals for Straight Rye Whiskey and an Engineer Series release.
Echo Spirits Queen’s Share Rum Returns – 2024-11-19
Queen's Share Rum is released annually; the 2024 release included a 124.6-proof, single-barrel barrel-proof bottle aged three years and four months, aged in a used bourbon barrel from Watershed Distillery and sold exclusively at the distillery.
Echo Spirits’ First Two Bourbons – 2023-05-22
Echo Spirits launched its first two bourbons: a 95-Proof and a Barrel-Proof release, created by blending two different bourbon mashbills (high-rye and high-corn). The founder described detailed aromatic profiles for both expressions.