Willow Run

In 1865, William J. McRoberts Jr. founded Willow Run Distillery in the greater Cincinnati area. McRoberts was an Irish immigrant who, after surviving the potato famine, settled in Cincinnati and started early in his career as a drayman. He would take his dray (a flat, horse-drawn cart) down into Kentucky to pick up bourbon barrels and bring them back to the city. In that position, he actually played a crucial role as a conductor in the Underground Railroad, helping escaping slaves find freedom in the North and Canada, by sneaking them across the Ohio River in empty bourbon barrels.

McRoberts later went on to own multiple distilleries, one of which he named Willow Run. Bringing back the Willow Run name and legacy is a chance to honor greater Cincinnati’s robust history. The distillery’s history intertwines with both Cincinnati’s past and the ongoing values of freedom, courage, and resilience.

McRoberts’ journey from an immigrant escaping the Irish Famine to becoming a prominent American distiller exemplifies the spirit of the American Dream. His life story, filled with trials, triumphs, and family tragedies, echoes the very essence of resilience and determination. When you visit the reborn Willow Run Custom Bourbon downtown Cincinnati, only a couple blocks away from Willow Run’s original offices, you will hear more about his story. And, as was the tradition of McRoberts’ time, when there were over a hundred barrel blenders on the streets of Cincinnati, you will be able to create your own custom blended bourbon. We are returning bourbon and Cincinnati (the commercial birthplace of bourbon) to its glorious roots!