Bad Dog Distillery
About the Distillery
Bad Dog Distillery is a grain-to-glass distillery in Arlington, Washington, run by the husband-and-wife team Dave and Shelly McGlothern. They produce bourbon, American single malt, and other whiskey varieties by handling the entire process from milling grain to bottling. The distillery blends traditional working methods with local roots and welcomes visitors to the tasting room, where you can get an inside look at the production facilities.
History
The idea for Bad Dog Distillery was born with Dave and Shelly McGlothern, who in 2012 decided to realize a local distillery operation in Snohomish County. They chose to establish the business near their home area north of Arlington and have since worked to produce quality spirits while engaging with the local community through donations and participation in local initiatives. The name stems from the family dog Hank, and the distillery is built as a small-scale, locally oriented project, where the founders themselves participate in both production and day-to-day operations. Tastings and tours are an integral part of the place, so visitors take home both product and story.
Raw Materials and Production
Bad Dog describes itself as a grain-to-glass distillery, which means that many production steps take place on site: the grain is milled, mashed, and bottled in their own facilities. The range includes whiskey, bourbons, and single malts, and production is carried out using traditional methods. The distillery space itself invites the public to peek into the equipment, and the production is laid out as a custom-crafted, small-scale approach, where control of raw materials and processes is highly valued. The text highlights on-site work from 'grinding grain, to bottling' and emphasizes that craftsmanship and quality are central elements of the production.
Maturation and Barrel Types
For bourbon releases, the use of single barrels is highlighted and short aging periods in the mentioned examples; several products are aged about 2 years in a single barrel, including releases labeled as barrel strength. The single barrel approach means that each barrel contributes unique characteristics to the final bottle, and some products highlight high proof levels as part of their identity.
Whiskies
The assortment ranges from an American single malt to several bourbon releases, including a single barrel bourbon, a barrel-strength edition ('Grandpa's Select'), and a BD Bourbon. Bottle sizes for the shown items are 750 ml, and proof levels are stated directly on the product pages (e.g., 90 proof for the single malt and BD Bourbon, 100 proof for the Single Barrel Bourbon). The products are sold via the distillery's online shop, with the note that shipping is offered only within Washington State.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Single Malt Whiskey | American Single Malt | 45 % | A light and fruity malt whiskey with a smooth body and a hint of citrus. Bottle size listed as 750 ml and 90 proof (45% ABV). | Core range; Can only be shipped within Washington State (per webshop text). | ||
| Single Barrel Bourbon | Straight Bourbon | 50 % | 2 years | Single barrel | 100 proof straight bourbon aged 2 years in a single barrel without blending. Each barrel yields unique characteristics described as fruit, tobacco, and caramel. | Core range; Can only be shipped within Washington State (per webshop text). |
| Grandpa's Select | Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon | 2 years | Single barrel (barrel strength) | Barrel strength straight bourbon, aged 2 years in a single barrel. The proof is typically between 106 and 112. | Core range; Can only be shipped within Washington State (per webshop text). | |
| BD Bourbon | Bourbon | 45 % | Bourbon with soft notes of vanilla and caramel as well as a light woody/charry character. Bottle size 750 ml, 90 proof (45% ABV). | Core range; Can only be shipped within Washington State (per webshop text). |
The Whiskyies' Style and Flavor Profile
Descriptions from various products point to three recurring directions: fruitiness (noted for the single malt and some bourbons), sweeter elements such as caramel and vanilla (especially in the bourbon releases), and wood/char character in the BD Bourbon, as well as tobacco elements mentioned for the single barrel releases. These notes recur across the products and form a cohesive picture of the distillery's style.
Visit the Distillery
The distillery invites the public to the tasting room and offers tastings and tours in the distillery space. The hours are listed as Thursday 12:00–17:00, Friday 12:00–19:00, Saturday 12:00–19:00, and Sunday 13:00–16:00. Visitors can drop by for tastings and a look at the equipment; contact details such as phone number and email are provided for further inquiries.
The stated hours are Thursday: 12pm–5pm; Friday: 12pm–7pm; Saturday: 12pm–7pm; Sunday: 1pm–4pm.
Philosophy and Craft
Bad Dog operates on a grain-to-glass premise and emphasizes traditional methods and high quality in the raw materials. The founders prioritize local roots and see the distillery as a way to give back to the community through both products and engagement.