There are at least 30 craft distilleries in Washington state, and they are extraordinary. The locally grown wheat and barley from eastern Washington and the cascades of glacier-fed waters exemplify their products.

So, when you stop in Washington, craving expertly crafted spirits and cocktails, visit one or all of these watering holes. They will effectively quench your thirst.

1. Copperworks Distilling Company

Regarded as an urban distillery, Copperworks Company is adjacent to the famous Pike Street Market. Micah Nutt and Jason Parker, both seasoned craft beer producers, opened Copperworks in 2013. The company won the Distillery of the Year Award a few years later. 

All the distilleries’ spirits are produced from malted barley mash bill. The company has two single malt offerings; Peated Cask American Single Malt Whiskey and American Single Malt Whiskey. Each spirit Copperworks releases to the market are drawn from a blend of eight barrels featuring mash bills on varying maturation strategies and barley varieties.

For instance, its #45 Whiskey release is made from Fritz, a type of barley. The distillery matured 95% of the drink inside charred American oak barrels for three years. The remaining 5% spent five years inside Manzanilla Sherry Casks.

The distillery’s peated whiskey line also shows similar variation. Its #43 release matured for 36 months inside new American oak barrels. Afterward, the spirit stays inside casks that previously aged Ardbeg Scotch Whisky for a year.

You can visit the company website to book a tour and learn more about their methods.

Location: 1250 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: +1 206-504-7604

2. Woodinville Whiskey Company 

Tucked at the edge of the larger Seattle area is Woodinville Whiskey Company. It was founded in 2010 by Bret Carlyle and Orlin Sorensen. The two are students of Makers Mark, former expert distiller David Pickerell. Even though the company headquarters are in Woodinville, its rick houses and bottling facilities are in Quincy. Close to Omlin Family Farm fields, where they grow the grain.

Woodinville has three main whiskey products, all of them 90-proof bottled. They are Woodinville Straight Rye Whiskey, Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Woodinville Port Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The distillery also has a Cask Strength Bourbon. According to co-founder Orlin Sorensen, the company releases a cask-finished spirit every year. Some of the previous bottlings are Moscatel Sutubal, PX, and Oloroso finishes.

Location: 14509 Redmond-Woodinville Rd NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
Phone: +1 425-486-1199

3. Bainbridge Organic Distillers 

Keith Barned opened Bainbridge Organic Distillers in 2009, and it’s among the first Washington distilleries to use Mizunara casks in Whiskey Maturation. The company is also among the pioneers to finish its spirits in casks that previously stored “Island spirits.” Combine that with the distillery’s master artisans, and you have a drink with a unique taste and aroma.

Some of the distillery’s top bottles include; Two Islands Hokkaido Mizunara Cask Whiskey, Battle Point Organic Wheat Whiskey, and Two Islands Barbados Rum Cask Whiskey.

Also, according to Mr. Barnes, they are in the process of releasing Stout and Madeira cask finishes. Plus, a limited-edition rye grain whiskey.

Location: 9727 Coppertop Loop NE #101, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: +1 206-842-3184

4. Westland Distillery

Considered an urban distillery due to its state-of-the-art machinery, Westland Distillery has been in existence since 2010. It was co-founded by Emerson Lamb and Matt Hofmann a few blocks from Rainer Brewery, a famous landmark in Seattle.

The distillery owners chose Washington because they believe the state has two of the globe’s top barley-growing areas. Westland’s bottle offerings include Single Malt American Whiskey, Garryana Edition 6, Colere Edition 2, and a few peated options.

Most visitors praise the Colere series due to its soothing and easy-to-distinguish notes. The distillery uses Talisman barley grown in the Skagit Valley to make the Colere series. Talisman is winter barley that contains low proteins. The barley variety is mainly found in Denmark and is widely used to make British ales.

Location: 2931 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: +1 206-767-7250

5. OOLA Distillery 

Founded in 2010 by Troy Amdahl and Dave Braun, OOLA Distillery claims to be the “oldest” distillery in Seattle, though that’s debatable. The distillery focuses on making “memorable” bourbons and whiskey. For example, its Discourse Three Shores Whiskey contains a blend of Canadian, High Rye Whiskey, and Highland Scotch.

On the other hand, the Discourse Bourbon series is aged for eight years and an extra year inside used French oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.

Location: 4755 Colorado Ave S Ste. B, Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: +1 206-709-7909

6. Fremont Mischief 

Here is a distillery that makes a vast catalog of spirits using various maturation and distillation protocols. The company’s most intriguing product is a Purple Tibetan Ancient Grain Straight Rye Whiskey. It’s based on 20% purple Tibetan barley and 80% northern rye barley mash bill.

Also fascinating is the Storm-Tossed Rye Whiskey. The distillery ages this rye whiskey on crab boats floating in the Bering Sea. Fremont uses this method so that the constantly changing barometric temperature and wave action produces different taste and aroma profiles.

Location: 132 N Canal St, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: +1 206-632-7286

7. Chambers Bay Distillery

Though smaller than the other distilleries on the list, Chambers Bay makes up for that by making classic and flavorsome spirits. Currently, the distillery has three bourbons: Captains Reserve Bottled-in-Bond, Greenhorn, and CBD Straight Bourbon.

The distillery has a rather unique maturing process for its whiskey. They let it age in floating boats. Alan Davis, a co-founder, says the method is “hydrokinetic.” He explains that the repetitive tidal and wave movement fastens the aging by increasing spirit and wood interaction inside the oak barrels.

The combination of charred oak and sea air gives the whiskey a characteristic caramel flavor.

Location: 2013 70th Ave W, University Place, WA 98466
Phone: +1 253-292-5962

8. Dry Fly Distilling 

Arguably one of Washington’s first distilleries after Prohibition, Dry Fly Distilling makes award-winning spirits. The company’s whiskey list includes a three-year-old Straight Wheat Whiskey Port Barrel Finish, Triticale Whiskey, and a five-year-old O’Danaghers American Hibernian Whiskey.

Location: 1021 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: +1 509-489-2112

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring children to distillery tours in Washington?

Some distilleries have a no-child policy, while others accept children. Though tasting is only for adults 21 or older

What other places can I visit in Washington State?

They include:

• Olympic National Park
• Snoqualmie Falls
• San Juan Islands
• North Cascades National Park
• Lake Chelan

How many distilleries are in Washington State?

There are 30 registered craft distilleries.

Final Words About Washington Distilleries

During your next trip to Washington State, pass by some distilleries listed above to enjoy their spirits. If you can tour all of them, the better.

Check out Distillery Nearby to learn about distilleries and alcohol festivals near you so that planning your next boozy expedition will be easier. Distillery Nearby also has plenty of information about different types of liquor and their histories.