Copperworks Distilling Co.

Quick Overview of the Distillery

Copperworks Distilling Co. is located on Seattle's waterfront and is a craft distillery with a tasting room, a gift shop, and a separate cocktail bar in Kenmore. Founded by two former craft brewers, the distillery produces small-batch American Single Malt Whiskey as well as gin and vodka based on malted barley. The copper pot stills are specially made for Copperworks, and the site combines a cocktail-focused approach with traditional distilling craft.

History

Copperworks was founded by Jason Parker and Micah Nutt and opened in 2013 as a small, craft-oriented distillery with a tasting room and gift shop on Seattle's waterfront. The two founders came from the craft beer scene and chose to work with malted barley to distill high-quality malt-based spirits. In 2018, Copperworks was recognized as 'Distillery of the Year' by the American Distilling Institute. The company has since expanded its offerings and in 2023 opened a cocktail bar and tasting room in Kenmore, WA, while continuing to supply spirits to bars, restaurants, and retailers in the state of Washington.

Raw Materials and Production

All Copperworks' spirits are based on malted barley. The process involves producing a malted barley-based wash with no hops, which is then distilled further. Distillation takes place in traditional copper pot stills, specially made in Scotland for Copperworks, and there are dedicated stills for each spirit type. The production profile is small-batch and craft-oriented; the distillery produces American Single Malt Whiskey as well as a range of gin and vodka made from malted barley as the common raw material. The focus is on creating spirits that work both as standalone drinks and as quality bases for cocktails.

Whiskies

The range primarily includes small-batch American Single Malt Whiskey as well as gin and vodka made from malted barley. Names in the range include, among others, Maltsmith, Farmsmith, Peatsmith, and Kilt Lifter Whiskey, and there are additional special releases and club releases under Whiskey Archives and Whiskey Club Releases. Products are marketed to both on- and off-trade in Washington State, and the distillery communicates a craft-based approach and a cocktail-oriented use.

Visit the Distillery

The main distillery on Seattle's waterfront has a tasting room and a gift shop and maintains regular daytime hours. Visitors can participate in tastings, tours, and events; Copperworks also operates a cocktail bar and tasting room in Kenmore with its own hours. Contact details and opening hours for both locations are provided, and the distillery offers events and tasting experiences at both the main site and in Kenmore.

The stated hours are Seattle: Monday–Thursday 12:00–18:00; Friday–Saturday 12:00–20:00; Sunday 12:00–18:00. Kenmore: Monday–Thursday 15:00–21:00; Friday–Saturday 15:00–22:00; Sunday 15:00–21:00.

Philosophy and Craft

Copperworks works purposefully with malted barley as the common raw material for its whiskey, gin, and vodka expressions, prioritizing small-batch craft. The founders draw on experience from the craft beer scene, and the distillery uses specially made copper pot stills designed for each spirit type. The goal is to produce distilled products that can be enjoyed on their own as well as used as solid bases for cocktails.

Awards and Recognitions

• Distillery of the Year (2018)