Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Yang.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When you’re a science nerd and whiskey geek, it’s probably not surprising to dream of opening a distillery. I was a biology major and pre-med at MIT, but instead of medical school, I built a 30-year career in management and technology consulting. I loved helping clients solve complex problems, but I also felt a constant pull toward my passion for food, wine, and whisk(e)y. For years, I indulged that passion through “side projects” — designing and hosting tastings across the DC–Baltimore area and traveling the world to learn from craft producers. But I never had the courage to start my own, until I met my husband, Drew Cockley.
We met in 2015, and in June 2018 I moved to Westminster, MD (where he was already living), to start our next chapter. But just a few months later, Drew was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. We put everything on hold to focus on his treatments, and for Christmas 2019, I gave him a bottle of bourbon to celebrate his beating cancer. He looked at me and said, “You’ve talked about opening a distillery since the day I met you. Life is too short — you have to do it. You’ve spent this past year supporting me. It is my turn to support you.”
That was the push I needed. Westminster felt like the perfect place — a welcoming community that embraced our vision from the start. We planned to restore a 100-year-old Main Street building and turn it into a distillery, cocktail lounge, and event space. But in April 2021, we found out Drew’s cancer returned. We paused again, focusing on his health. On November 17, 2022, we finally opened our doors to the public.
The name “covalent” comes from chemistry — a bond formed by sharing, the strongest in nature. To me, that captures what this journey has been about: love, resilience, and connection. At Covalent Spirits, we’re dedicated to creating exceptional spirits, fostering community, and celebrating the bonds that bring people together. <b><i>“Bonding through sharing” is the covalent spirit.</i></b>
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but I think that’s part of every entrepreneurial journey! As I mentioned earlier, in spring 2021 (during our planning and build-out phases) my husband Drew experienced a cancer recurrence. That immediately put everything on pause so we could focus on his health, which was our top priority. When we were finally ready to resume later that year, we ran right into the height of contractor shortages, supply chain delays, and material price hikes.
By January 2022, we were finally able to start renovating our space—but that came with its own challenges. We had taken over a 100-year-old historic building that needed a lot of TLC. Setting up all the infrastructure and equipment for a distillery is already complex, but we also had to retrofit the buildings to meet modern codes and fix decades of neglect on the building — water damage from a burst pipe, clogged pipes (we even found rocks and balls in them), roof leaks, structural issues, and the list went on.
There were many moments when we’d solve one problem only to uncover another, but that’s the nature of building something from the ground up. It was frustrating at times, but each setback pushed us to learn, adapt, and find creative solutions. Looking back, those challenges made our success—and our space—that much more meaningful.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Covalent Spirits is an award-winning craft distillery with an experimental and experiential focus, proudly bringing the art of distilling back to Westminster, Maryland. We produce a diverse range of small-batch spirits—including vodkas, gins, rums, bourbons, liqueurs, and bottled cocktails such as a Spiced Orange Old Fashioned, Coffee Cocktail, and Mint Julep.
In just a couple of years, our team has already reached exciting milestones. Earlier this year, we entered five products into a national spirits competition—and every one of them earned a medal, including a gold for our bourbon. It was a proud moment for a young distillery and a testament to our passion for quality and craftsmanship. Located on Main Street in historic Westminster, our property features two buildings connected by a welcoming patio. One houses our production facility, and the other serves as our tasting room, cocktail lounge, and event space. We offer guided tastings, handcrafted cocktails, bottles to go, and a variety of branded merchandise. Guests can also enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night and special themed events throughout the year (check our website and social media pages for the latest schedule).
At Covalent Spirits, we’re about more than what’s in the glass —we’re about creating experiences that bring people together. Visit us to see what “bonding through sharing” is all about!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I often joke that my Hallmark movie would be called <b><i>Westminster: Moved for Love, Stayed for Whiskey</i></b>. I’m a city girl at heart—I am from New York and spent over 20 years in the DC area. But when I came to Westminster, I was struck by how genuinely supportive and welcoming the community is. That sense of connection is one of the biggest reasons I chose to stay and open my business here. It just felt like the right place to build something meaningful. What I love most about Westminster is its strong sense of community—people show up for each other. Whether it’s local events, small businesses, or charitable causes, there’s a spirit of collaboration that you don’t always find in bigger cities. Sometimes I miss the constant buzz and variety of city life—but Westminster’s charm and heart more than make up for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: covalentspirits.com
- Instagram: covalentspirits
- Facebook: covalentspirits
