In 2006, Bob Ryan and his nephew Dave Wood founded Ryan & Wood Distilleries with the dream of producing small batch spirits in their coastal home of Gloucester, MA on Cape Ann. Steeped in blue-collar maritime history, Gloucester is an ideal “port of origin” for our whiskies, gins, rums, and vodkas. Our spirits are made the old-fashioned way in our copper pot and column still, fit for hard-working locals and world travelers alike.
Bob Ryan
Growing up, Bob spent most his days on the Gloucester waterfront working at his father’s seafood processing company. After 35 successful years he sought out a new adventure. Ryan & Wood proved to be a perfect marriage of his manufacturing knowledge and his wish to pay homage to his hometown’s maritime past, now evident in the artwork on each of our bottles. Bob loves to say that Gloucester was built by “ships of wood and men of iron,” noting that only the ships have changed.
Kathy Ryan
They say “father knows best,” but when it comes to spirits, this mother and grandmother is the Queen of tasting Whiskey, Rum, Gin, and Vodka. Possessing the best palette of the crew, Kathy has the final say on what gets the Ryan & Wood stamp of approval.
Doug Ryan
Doug represents the second generation of the Ryan family to take up distilling. An attorney by trade, he handles the legal work of our highly-regulated industry but prefers to be milling grains and mashing whiskey! You can catch him on the production floor during your tour, and at most of our tastings and promotional events pouring spirits and spreading the word.
Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer handles most of Ryan & Wood’s Social Media and marketing efforts, but her Dominican heritage gives her a special perspective on the world of Rum! She also has the some of the finest handwriting in the region, a necessary skill for writing the barrel and bottle number on each individual bottle of our single-barrel craft whiskies.
In Memoriam, David Nelson Wood, Esq.
The “Wood” of Ryan & Wood, Bob and Kathy’s nephew Dave helped found the company and worked tirelessly to build it from the ground up. Although he passed away in 2012, his fingerprints still linger in every aspect of the operation. Dave’s business acumen was only surpassed by his sharp wit and dedication to his family. We’re proud to carry on his legacy with each bottle of Ryan & Wood. Cheers, Dave!
