Category: Eats

Ryan & Wood Distilleries is pleased to announce its selection as a Finalist for the 2012 Massachusetts Family Business Awards. As finalists in the First Generation Business category, the Ryan and Wood families will be honored at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge on October 25 where winners will be announced. The annual awards program honors excellence in business management, growth, community service and business transition within family businesses. Past winners of the prestigious FBA awards include local favorite Woodman’s of Essex (2011 Small Business).

Bob Ryan had this to say about his company’s selection: “We knew about the FBA but the initial nomination and then selection as a finalist came as quite a surprise. It’s a huge honor to be recognized because the people behind the scenes at the FBA are truly dedicated to helping family businesses prosper in the commonwealth. We were pleased just to be noticed by a great group like the FBA.” Bob and Kathy Ryan, their son Doug, and nephew Dave Wood all work at the Distillery and cite the family nature of the business as a major asset. Doug Ryan comments that “although you never seem to clock out at the end of the day, you feel good about working hard for one another. After all, our name is on each bottle.” Ryan & Wood’s first three products had fanciful names, but when it was time to name their latest spirit, Doug insisted on naming it simply Ryan & Wood Straight Rye Whiskey as he was especially proud of this offering. “I wanted our Rye to bear our names and nothing else to drive home the fact that it’s made with care by a local family. That should mean something, because like any good mom, mine doesn’t let me cut corners.” That is why Kathy Ryan is the operation’s chief taster, in charge of barrel selection for the rye, and barrel blending for Ryan & Wood’s Folly Cove Rum. “She has the best Palate in the building, and refuses to compromise,” said Doug Ryan, “which shows that without the whole family’s involvement, we would be short valuable team