A couple of local businessmen are aiming to open a new distillery and tasting room near downtown Ann Arbor later this year.The Ann Arbor Distilling Co will occupy 6,000 square feet of space in the building at 220 Felch St. The building is currently owned by Icon Interactive , a digital advertising agency. A previous tenant of the space has moved out, opening up the space for new purposes."It's something that is exciting. It's way more exciting," says Rob Cleveland, partner with Ann Arbor Distilling Co. "This space was made to be a distillery. It just screams it."Cleveland is the CEO of Icon Interactive. He is launching the Ann Arbor Distilling Co with Ari Sussman. The business will make vodka, rum, and gin to start with and eventually move into bourbon production. The distillery will include a 1,000-square-foot tasting room and 5,000 square feet for production space."There is the same enthusiasm for artisanal liquor as there is for craft brewing," Cleveland says. "It's just a different product."The Ann Arbor Distilling Co hasn’t set an opening date yet but Cleveland hopes to open the doors to the establishment before the end of the year.Source: Rob Cleveland, partner with Ann Arbor Distilling CoWriter: Jon Zemke