12 Local Spirits You Must Taste
Our picks for the Washington state top shelf.
By Seattle Mag November 22, 2011
This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Seattle magazine.
Ebb+Flow Vodka
$32
A big, full-bodied vodka whose 100-percent malted barley construction doesn’t keep it from leaving a little sweetness and vanilla on the tongue.
Sound Spirits, Interbay, 1630 15th Ave. W; drinksoundspirits.com
Headlong White Dog Whiskey
$34.95
An unaged whiskey, this dog cuddles up close with its bright combination of butter cream, grain and smooth spiciness.
Woodinville Whiskey Company; Woodinville, 16110 Woodinville-Redmond Road NE, Suite 3; woodinvillewhiskeyco.com
Legacy Vodka
$32.95
This rich, all-organic vodka boasts a hint of citrus and vanilla blooming alongside its wheat base.
Bainbridge Organic Distillers; Bainbridge Island, 9727 Coppertop Loop NE; bainbridgedistillers.com
Pacifique Absinthe
$62.95
Transport yourself to turn-of-the-century France with this absinthe’s classical mix of anise, fennel, wormwood and other spices.
Pacific Distillery; Woodinville, 18808 142nd Ave. NE, #4B; pacificdistillery.com
Grappa Giallo
$34
Aging six months in French oak gives this grappa a unique personality that brings apples, pears and fresh hay together.
Soft Tail Spirits; Woodinville, 14356 Woodinville-Redmond Road; softtailspirits.com
Washington Wheat Whiskey
$49.95
Wheat notes abound in this easygoing whiskey, socializing with hints of toffee, oak and a long pepper-dotted finale.
Dry Fly Distilling; Spokane, 1003 E Trent, #200; dryflydistilling.com
Voyager Dry Gin
$25.90
This London dry-style gin is in the traditional manner, with a confident juniper top end underlined by citrus and spice suggestions.
Pacific Distillery; Woodinville, 18808 142nd Ave. NE, #4B; pacificdistillery.com
Samish Bay Whiskey
$35.95
A welcoming single-malt whiskey that has a pleasing grain and oak taste, and a smoothness that is both mixable and sippable.
Golden Distillery Bow, 9746 Samish Island Road; goldendistillery.com
Skip Rock Vodka
$33.95
This singular vodka utilizes Yukon gold potatoes, which add an elemental complexity that finishes briskly and a touch sweet.
Skip Rock Distillers; Snohomish, 104 Ave. C; skiprockdistillers.com
Chilean-style Brandy
$47.75
A honey-colored brandy that isn’t shy about its grape and wine base, and that delivers a hint of a kick as it goes down.
It’s Five O’clock Somewhere Distillery; Cashmere, 207 Mission Ave.; 5oclocksomewheredistillery.com
Hedge Trimmer Gin
$29.95
In the classic style, this gin has a balanced juniper taste, underlined by herbal and spice notes, suitable for cocktails or sipping neat.
Sun Liquor Distillery Capitol Hill, 514 E Pike St.; sunliquor.com
Fremont Mischief Whiskey
$32.95
With a rye base, this whiskey, aged for eight years in Canada, features spiciness mingling with oak and a sweet vanilla and caramel finale.
Mischief Distillery Fremont, 132 N Canal St.; fremontmischief.com
