Seattle has experienced what some may call a distillery boom in recent years, giving locals a reason to put down their coffee (finally!). If you’re headed to Seattle, try one (or more) of these 10 distilleries, which are bringing some boozy goodness to the Pacific Northwest.
Best Distilleries in and around Seattle
Image Credit: Martin Kníže
1. Copperworks Distilling
Copperworks offers supreme spirits in a prime location on Seattle’s waterfront. Their limited edition gins have been aged in everything from sherry to port to bourbon barrels (Copperworks co-owner Jason Parker calls those “ginskeys”) giving them a unique flavor. Their whiskeys are currently distilling, so look out for those, which should be available next year.
Address: 1250 Alaskan Way
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Known for: Gin
Tour hours: Friday 5pm; Saturday 1pm, 3pm, 5pm (and by request)
Cost: $10 pp
2. Sound Spirits Distillery
Sound Spirits prides itself on being Seattle’s “1st Distillery Since Prohibition” - which means they’ve had more than enough time to perfect their craft. Distillery tours give guests a look at their hand-built stills, including the unique “Vodka Cannon” and of course, an opportunity to taste many of their different spirits, including the Ebb & Flow brand gin (an award winner) and Cacao and Menthe liqueurs. Word has it that they’re working on a chile liqueur — due out in 2016. For small groups, walk-ins are welcome!
Address: 1630 15th Ave
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Known for: Vodka, Gin, Liqueur
Tour Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 12-6pm; Monday & Thursday 4:30-6pm; Sunday 12-5pm
Cost: Free ($5 tasting fee)
3. Batch 206
Batch 206 is only three years old, but the owners have deep roots in Seattle (Jeff Steichen was the man behind Seattle’s famous Showbox music venues). The distillery tours are worth it for the unique decor alone (liquor bottle-shaped light bulbs? Sign me up!). Their bourbon, gin and vodka have won numerous awards, so come thirsty. They also offer moonshine in Apple Pie, Cherry Pie and Peach Pie flavors. Bonus: tour-goers can also drink their booze with handcrafted “boozy” treats like the Bourbon Molasses cookies.
Address: 1417 Elliott Ave
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Known for: Bourbon
Tour hours: Wednesday-Friday 2-6pm; Saturday & Sunday 12-6pm (call for tour reservations)
Cost: Free
4. Bainbridge Organic Distillers
Washington’s first organic distillery is just a 45-minute ferry ride from Seattle. So take in some local nature before you dive into the family-owned distillery’s truly local offerings, as their spirits are made from grains grown in Washington’s Walla Walla, Skagit and Snohomish counties. And organic isn’t just a trend here — it’s a promise of unlocking maximum flavor potential, according to the owner.
Address: 9727 Coppertop Loop NE
Neighborhood: Bainbridge Island
Known for: Vodka, Gin, Whiskey
Tour hours: Monday-Saturday 12pm-5pm
Cost: Free
5. Fremont Mischief
Fremont Mischief is a boutique distillery located in one of Seattle’s cozier neighborhoods. The distillery tours are informative and full of stories about the eclectic duo who started the distillery. Their Fremont Mischief Whiskey was named one of Seattle Mag’s 12 Local Spirits You Must Taste. So what are you waiting for?
Address: 132 N Canal St
Neighborhood: Fremont
Known for: Vodka, Gin, Whiskey
Tour hours: Wednesday through Friday 12-6pm; Saturday 11am-6pm; Sunday 11am-4pm
Cost: $12-$15
6. Sun Liquor Bar and Distillery
Sun Liquor is the full package. Not only do they have tastings and tours, it’s one of the few distilleries in the country to offer up a full cocktail bar and food menu (there’s also brunch on the weekends). Happy hour is served from 4-7 on weekdays, and it stays open much, much later (as late as 2 am) than other distilleries around town. So basically, you may never leave.
Address: 512 East Pike St
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Known for: Rum, Gin, Vodka
Tour hours: Weekdays 9am-5:30pm (book online)
Cost: Free
7. Old Ballard Liquor Co.
Old Ballard is great for someone looking to go beyond the vodka/gin/whiskey rotation. Fruit-infused liquors (bounce) are at the forefront of this distillery’s production. They also offer a variety of Aquavit, a spirit that, according to the owners, pays homage to Ballard's Scandanavian roots. But don’t worry, they still offer up a solid housemade vodka with no frills — much like the distillery itself.
Address: 4421 Shilshole Ave NW
Neighborhood: Ballard
Known for: Aquavit, Cherry Bounce
Tour hours: Daily 12-8pm (Just walk in and ask to be shown around)
Cost: Free
8. Woodinville Whiskey Co.
Woodinville Whiskey is located outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, but it’s worth the trip for any whiskey lover — just ask Forbes, who named it one of the Top 10 American Whiskey Distilleries to Tour. Highlights include the one-ton German-made copper still and a machine dubbed the “Superaromator.” And, of course, the whiskey — Woodinville’s Master Distiller is a 14-year veteran in the bourbon business who previously worked for Maker’s Mark, so you know you’re booze is in good hands.
Address: 14509 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE
Neighborhood: Woodinville
Known for: Whiskey
Tour hours: Saturday and Sunday 1pm & 3pm
Cost: Free (tasting $10)
9. Letterpress Distilling
Letterpress brings a bit of Italy to the Pacific Northwest, thanks to the distillery’s owner, who grew up around his family’s liquor business in Rome. If you visit Letterpress, you’re going for their limoncello, which is blended with Washington blackberry honey and their own vodka made from locally-grown products.
Address: 85 S Atlantic St
Neighborhood: Downtown Seattle
Known for: Limoncello
Tour hours: Call for reservations
Cost: Free
10. 2bar Spirits
2bars’ vibe is a bit more intimate (and less flashy) than some other distilleries. That may come from its Texas roots. Try a private tour for two, which includes tastings, dessert, a gift and a great view of the 2bar ranch.
Address: 2960 4th Ave S
Neighborhood: Industrial District, Downtown Seattle
Known for: Bourbon, Vodka, Moonshine
Tour hours: Varies (email [email protected])
Cost: $25 pp
This article was written by Lede Mariam.
Hero Image Credit: Zhifei Zhou