Portland’s distillery scene has been steadily growing, producing some award-winning spirits, though it still needs to get the national attention it deserves. Many distilleries in the area are members of the Whiskey Row group, plus its passport program to attract tourists by offering discounts and tours. This post will offer you the ultimate guide on the best distillery tours you should consider when you visit whiskey row Portland and more. 

Shine Distillery & Grill 

Since 2019, when Shine officially opened its doors for business, the distillery cum grill has been offering its customers a complete dining experience. The distillery makes classy cocktails using its spirits, and its menu comprises elevated classics like chips, fish, and smoked salmon salad. The company also features most of its drinks in its dishes.

Some of Shine’s top bottlings are filtered vodka, hibiscus gin, and agave spirit. You can sip and dine in Shine’s dining room or order takeout meals and cocktails. Additionally, the distillery regularly hosts multiple bingos and brunches you can partake in.

Shine is open from Wednesday to Sunday from early morning to late at night.

• Location- 4232 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97217
• Phone- (503) 825-1010

Quartz Mountain Distillers

Quartz distillers set up shop in 2020 and have worked to produce plenty of whiskeys. The company offers three gins, a cask-strength bourbon, and unflavored and flavored vodkas. The company regularly releases fresh vodka flavors, and like the other Portland distilleries, you can expect their whiskeys to gain more depth and character as they age.

To get a tour at Quartz Mountain, you must schedule it in advance, though the company always opens its tasting room in the afternoons. They do so mainly from Monday to Saturday.

• Location- 4601 NE 78th St#220, Vancouver, WA 98665
• Phone- (360) 839-2090

Freeland Spirits

Freeland Spirits launched its products in 2017, releasing a London-style gin and juniper. The company later produced a rye Geneva gin and a young bourbon in classy teardrop bottles. You can relax in Freeland distilleries mid-century bar for house cocktails, gin flights, and snacks like hummus and pita. The distillery is open daily and offers tours on Fridays at 3. pm.

• Location- A-Boy Supply in Portland, OR, 2671, NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210
• Phone- (971) 279- 5692

Pilot House Distilling 

Pilot House is relatively young compared to the scotch or Kentucky standards, as it only entered the industry in 2013. However, in Portland’s youthful alcohol-producing scene, it’s reasonably mature. The distilleries’ offerings include; London and American-style gins, a tequila agave style spirit, absinthe, and a whiskey (single malt). It is worth noting that the company ages its barrels on fishing boats.

Pilot distillery bottle shop and tasting room hours tend to vary, so it’s preferable to call ahead to book a reservation. The other option is visiting the expansive Canon, or Astoria tasting rooms open daily.

• Location- 4214 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
• Phone- (503) 432-8589

Bull Run Distilling

Lee Medof, the founder of Bull Run Distilling, has deep knowledge of the alcoholic beverage industry. He started working in McMenamins as a brewer, where he learned winemaking. After a few years, Lee co-founded House Spirits, which is also based in Portland, then he set up Bull Run Distilling.

The company currently produces a successful line of aquavit, vodkas, blended whiskeys, single malts, and starka (vodka aged inside oak barrels). Bull Run offers spirit tastings from Wednesdays to Sundays.

• Location- 2259 NW Quimby St, Portland, OR 97210
• Phone- (503) 224-3483

Wild Roots Tasting Room

All the Wild Roots vodkas are distilled from corn, filtered five times, and infused with at least a pound of fruit, which is locally grown. 

The distilleries collection comprises cinnamon, Washington apple, Oregon marionberry, and sweet cherry-infused vodkas. Recently the company added a London-style dry gin. Wild Roots offers tastings and tours from Wednesday to Sunday.

• Location- 135 NE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
• Phone- (971)254-4617

Westward whiskey 

Christian Krogstad founded Westward Whiskey in 2004. The distillery currently has a variety of products, including a subtle single malt vanilla, smooth pinot noir, and a meaty stout cask finish.

You must join their whiskey club to get some of Westwards’ premium bottles. In addition, the distillery only offers tours on an appointment, and each features a cocktail at the start; however, tastings are available to all visitors.

• Location- 65 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214
• Phone- (503) 235- 3174

New Deal Distillery 

Here is a distillery that started as the most minor licensed alcohol producer in America but has become a top player in whiskey row Portland. New Deal distillery specializes in handcrafted vodkas, gins, and other spirits. However, it’s mostly known for its wheat and rye whiskeys.

The company offers informal tours on request and has a whiskey-tasting area a few feet away from its main workshop.

• Location- 900 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214
• Phone- (503) 234- 2513

Stone Barn Brandy Works

Sebastian Degen and cofounder Ericka only use local ingredients to make their company’s extensive whiskeys, liqueurs, and brandies. You can visit the distillery headquarters and sample its dark roast rye whiskey, fruit liqueurs and brandies, and the new green walnut liquor.

Stone Barn has a fully fitted casual tasting room open to visitors daily.

• Location- 3315 SE 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
• Phone- (503) 341-2227

FAQ

1. What’s the best time to visit Whiskey Row Portland?

There is no ideal time, as all the distilleries on the trail offer tours on different days. So, it’s best to call ahead and inquire when the company offers tours and tastings.

2. Where can I stay?

Portland has numerous hotels, most of which are reasonably priced, so finding a place to stay will be easy. We recommend booking a hotel near the whiskey row to enable easy movement.

3. Do I need the passport?

It’s optional to get the distillery row passport, though it is beneficial to have one. The passport will enable you to obtain discounts on the distilleries’ tasting fees. It also includes discounts from more than 40 local businesses, such as restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, and hotels. In addition, the passport lasts one year, so you won’t have to visit all the distilling companies at once.

4. What are the best distillery tours on whiskey row Portland?

That will entirely depend on your particular experience, but most, if not all, the distillers always strive to give their visitors thrilling and insightful tours.

5. Other things to do in Portland

You can visit Washington park, Pittock Mansion, Portland Japanese Garden, along with the International Rose Test Garden.

Conclusion

While on whiskey row Portland, ensure you sample a bit of what you know and something new. Also, be careful not to overindulge in alcohol. More importantly, relax and let yourself take in the whole experience, plus you can pick up some new cocktail recipes. You can also check Distillery Nearby for more information about other whiskey trails.