The city’s first craft distillery is a partnership between the dynamic restaurateur team of chef John Howie and sommelier Erik Liedholm, who received a certified distiller degree from the London-based Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Liedholm approaches distilling with a sommelier’s palate and a scientist’s pragmatism, sourcing nearly all of the ingredients for the distillates from local farms in what he terms a “grain-to-glass” philosophy.
The tasting room and distillery are located adjacent to the recently opened Beardslee Public House in Bothell. State-of-the-art German copper stills can be seen through a viewing window. “We hope everyone enjoys our spirits with as much joy and passion as we have in making them,” says Erik.
Kur Gin and Stark Vatten Vodka were first distilled at Michigan State University where Liedholm worked with master distiller Dr. Kris Berglund to create the spirits using ingredients shipped from Washington State, including 15,000 pounds of winter wheat, Braeburn apples and Douglas fir. With the opening of Wildwood Spirits Co., the complete production process—from mashing, fermentation, distillation and bottling—now occurs completely on site at the Bothell distillery.
Visitors can sample half-ounce tastes of Kur Gin and Stark Vatten Vodka, both made with Washington heirloom variety red winter wheat and pure, filtered water. Both spirits can be sampled and purchased at Wildwood’s tasting room in Bothell, Wash.
Wildwood Spirits Wild Kur Gin, $28
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Sophisticated and lush, emphasizing aromas and flavors of heather, juniper and wheat balanced with fragrant herbal character. An absolute show stealer, this is not your grandfather’s gin!
Wildwood Spirits Stark Vatten Vodka, $28
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
The name means “strong water” in Swedish, but this vodka is impressive and elegant on every level. It displays a rich, unctuous mouthfeel defined by a pure smooth, clean quality and sense of ultra-refinement. Enjoy neat, or to take your favorite cocktail up a notch.
Website: www.wildwoodspiritsco.com