Rosemary and I recently made a trip to Washington State. We booked a voyage on the American Empress that cruised the Snake and Columbia Rivers. We decided to fly into Seattle a few days early since we had never been to that city. While there, we visited the Woodinville Distillery in Woodinville, Washington. It was about a thirty minute car ride from our hotel and I was looking for a local distillery to visit. We had booked a tour in advance and they were waiting for us when we arrived.

It was a very good tour led by a very capable and knowledgeable young man named Tory. It started with him telling us the history of the distillery. It was founded by a couple of best friends, Orlin Soreman and Brett Carlile, who wanted to make whiskey. They sourced their grains from the Omlin farm in nearby Quincy, Washington. They hired the late Dave Pickerell as a consultant and the distillery took off, making some excellent whiskeys. A few years ago, the founders sold the distillery to Hennessy, but Hennessy allows them to continue to make their whiskey they way Dave Pickerell taught them to make it.

The next stop on the tour was outside, where they have their grain bins. The tour guide told us more about the grains and the Omlin farm. The distillery’s business actually made it possible for the family to continue farming their land because it gives them a steady source of income. The distillery purchases the entire year’s production of grains – corn and rye. They source their malted barley elsewhere since they don’t have a malt house. We then moved into the distillery where Tory discussed the cooker and mash tubs. The distillery has expanded since they built the building for the distillery, a testimony on how successful the brands have become. We next went into the distillery itself, a column still with pot still doubler. They are attractive stills capable of making a good number of barrels a day.

We ended the tour with some tastings of their whiskeys. The Bourbon is very good, but the Rye whiskey is even better. They have also released barrel proof versions of each of these products. I came home with a bottle of each of the barrel proof products.

We enjoyed our tour of the Woodinville Distillery.  The distillery is very ecofriendly and has helped a family to continue their farming business. It is laid out in such a way that the tour flows well and the guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He answered all of our questions in an informative manner and I found him to be a really nice person. We will go back there if we ever return to Seattle for a visit.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller