Distillery profile

Alley 6 Craft Distillery

Explore the distillery's history, craft, production, and the distinctive character of its whiskies.

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Alley 6 Craft Distillery

Overview of the Distillery

Alley 6 is located in central Healdsburg and is a family-owned, grain-to-glass distillery established in 2012. Two 250-gallon alembic copper-pot stills drive production with a focus on small-batch rye and single malt, as well as grape- and fruit-based spirits and seasonal gins. What makes the place interesting is the combination of local sourcing, direct-fired heating in pot stills, and an experimental approach to shaping aroma and character in each batch.

History

Founded by Krystle and Jason Jorgensen in 2012, Alley 6 began as a small, independent family venture amid Sonoma County’s wine and brewing culture. The couple channeled their interest in brewing and wine into a dedication to distilling, including studies and travels that culminated in the establishment of the distillery. After several years of planning and testing, the first batch of Rye Whiskey hit the shelves in the summer of 2015. Since then, Alley 6 has maintained a small-batch production with full control over the entire process from raw materials to bottle and has built a portfolio of award-winning whiskies and spirits.

Raw Materials and Production

Production is carried out entirely on-site: grains are milled, fruit pressed, mashes and wine-based ferments fermented, and all fermentations are handled locally before distillation. Two 250-gallon alembic copper-pot stills are used for the majority of products, enabling two distillation runs per batch. For certain products, especially Harvest Gin, a final column distillation is performed to allow vapor infusion of botanicals after a pot-still run. Raw materials range from a rye mash of 78% rye / 22% malted barley to 100% malted barley from Heidelberg, along with local fruits and botanicals such as bay laurel and wild fennel. The workflow is characterized by small batch sizes and ongoing experimentation with recipes and steps in the process to influence the final aroma profile.

Aging and Barrel Types

Alley 6 primarily uses heavily charred oak for aging: Rye Whiskey rests for at least two years in new American White Oak with heavy char, while Single Malt is aged at least 18 months in heavily charred American White Oak. Fruit brandy and certain liqueurs rest in French oak casks; Peach Brandy, for example, is aged two years in French oak. Casks are actively used to impart vanilla, caramel, and oak notes, and to round and integrate the fruit aromas.

Whiskies

The core lineup consists of Rye Whiskey and Single Malt Whiskey, both small-batch distillates aged in heavily charred oak casks. Alongside the whiskies, the distillery produces a range of grape- and fruit-based spirits and liqueurs such as Harvest Gin (seasonal grape-based), Barrel Gin, Spiced Peach Liqueur, Candy Cap Bitters, as well as Peach and Grape Brandy. The products highlight local ingredients and are often seasonal, which makes the range varied and reflective of the site’s experimental craft.

Whisky Type / Series Alcohol Age Cask and Style Flavor Profile Status
Rye Whiskey Rye Whiskey 43 % Minimum 2 years American White Oak Small-batch rye distilled twice in directly heated copper alembic pot stills; mash of 78% rye and 22% aromatical malted barley, aged at least 2 years in heavily charred new American White Oak; Nose: honey and oak with a hint of vanilla, tropical/roasted fruit notes and rye malt spices; Taste: spicy rye character with vanilla, caramel and notes of baked/fruit elements; Finish: balanced finish with malt sweetness and a light dryness/ashy sensation in reviews Current; Core Range
Single Malt Whiskey Single Malt 43 % Minimum 18 months American White Oak Twice distilled in directly heated copper alembic pot stills from 100% malted barley; each batch aged at least 18 months in heavily charred American White Oak. Current; Core Range

Style and Flavor Profile of the Whiskies

The overall style embraces the sweetness of malt and caramel, the spicy profile of rye, and pronounced oak influence from heavily charred casks. The rye whiskies lean into spice and baked fruit notes, while single malts build on the malt’s honey and grain character. Fruit-based releases offer clear peach and bakery-like fruitiness, while the gins come across as floral and herbal via the Viognier base and botanicals such as bay laurel and wild fennel. The combination of these directions yields a portfolio of malt sweetness, fruitiness, spice, and oak character.

Visit the Distillery

Tasting room and shop are open Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended, especially on Saturdays. Visitors can book spirit tastings and tours of the production; the events include guided tastings and demonstrations of the distillery’s processes. The site is described as family- and dog-friendly, and staff offer a practical introduction to the distilling process during visits.

The stated opening hours are Thursday - Sunday 11a - 5p.

Philosophy and Craft

Alley 6 prioritizes grain-to-glass craftsmanship with full control over every stage of production. The distillery focuses on small-batch production, quality ingredients, and ongoing experimentation in recipes and processing steps to develop unique flavor profiles. As an independent, family-owned distillery with Certified Craft status, local sourcing and artisanal precision are emphasized.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Gold - Bartender Spirit Awards (92 Points) (2023, Gold (92 Points), Rye Whiskey)

  • Gold (2022, Gold, Rye Whiskey)

  • Gold (2022, Gold, Single Malt Whiskey)

  • Best Gin (2022, Best Gin)

Latest News

Making Spirits Bright with Holiday Cocktails – 2022-12-22

Feature in The Healdsburg Tribune focusing on holiday cocktails and the distillery’s participation in local holiday activities.