Woodinville Whiskey Co.

Overview of the Distillery

Woodinville Whiskey is a craft distillery from Woodinville, Washington, which since 2010 has produced 100% grain-to-glass bourbon and rye in the Pacific Northwest. The distillery is known for its uncompromising approach to ingredients and its ongoing barrel experiments, and offers the public tastings and tours at both the main facility and a new production facility in Quincy.

History

The history begins in 2010, when two college friends, Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen, founded Woodinville Whiskey in Washington to show that excellent bourbon can be made outside Kentucky. In the early years they worked under the mentorship of Dave Pickerell and established a close collaboration with the local Omlin family for access to agricultural resources. Since then the distillery has grown through a range of harvest releases and special releases, including ongoing experiments with barrel finishes and Harvest Releases. In the 2020s Woodinville has both expanded production capacity with a Quincy facility and gained broad recognition for individual bottles on international lists.

Raw Materials and Production

Woodinville runs 100% grain-to-glass production, meaning control from the raw materials to the finished bottle and close collaboration with local farms. The range includes both straight bourbons and a 100% rye version. The distillery’s work is marked by ongoing barrel experiments: they work with seasoned barrels, various toast- and char-profiles, and finishes in alternative barrels. Several releases are built around targeted barrel preparation, and the company combines classic American distillation principles with experimental finishes to broaden its expression.

Aging and Barrel Types

Aging is based on traditional bourbon barrels combined with experimental finishes. Woodinville uses open-air seasoned barrels (24 months mentioned in connection with certain releases) and works with finishes in, among others, Sauternes barrels, tequila barrels, and the use of toasted applewood staves. These approaches are used for both limited Harvest Releases and national launches to create variation in the portfolio.

Whiskeys

The portfolio includes several varieties of straight bourbon alongside a 100% rye edition. The core release is a Straight Bourbon (including a 6-year edition), while the distillery periodically releases Harvest Releases and special finish editions such as tequila finish, Sauternes finish, and applewood stave releases. The releases range from widely available bottles to limited, numbered releases at the farm’s harvest events.

Visit the Distillery

The distillery invites the public to tours and tastings at the main site in Woodinville, and tastings are also offered at the new Quincy production facility. Booking information can be obtained via the distillery's contact channels; phone number and e-mail are listed on the website. The visit typically includes tasting of current releases and insight into the distillery’s work with ingredients and barrels.

Philosophy and Craft

Woodinville emphasizes a 100% grain-to-glass approach, close collaboration with local farmers, and a fundamental belief that quality is achieved through craftsmanship and perseverance. The distillery’s work combines respect for American bourbon traditions with ongoing barrel experiments and a goal of consistently high quality.

Awards and Recognitions

• One of the 50 Greatest Whiskeys of the 21st Century (2026, Included on list, Woodinville Straight Bourbon Aged 6 Years)

Latest News

Woodinville Whiskey’s bourbon named one of the 50 greatest whiskeys of the 21st century – 2026-04-24

Robb Report includes Woodinville Straight Bourbon Aged 6 Years on a list of the 50 most significant bottles since 2000.

Woodinville introduces updated bottle design – 2026-02-27

Woodinville introduces an updated and refreshed bottle design, rolling out to stores and online.