Located in Gig Harbor, Washington, resides the charming, young distillery, Heritage Distilling Company. I recently attended a tour of this distillery and was awestruck by the beautiful abundance of casks that lined the distillery's walls, the deep and bitter aroma that wafted from the wheat, corn, and rye, and the grand, copper-plated, Italian made still that served as the centerpiece for this impressive establishment.
Granted, the closest thing to a distillery "tour" I had ever previously attended consisted of peeking at sketchy, moonshine kits that friends had rigged-up in their basements. Needless to say, this was nothing like that.
The staff at Heritage Distilling Company was welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. Before beginning the tour, I was given a bit of history on the distillery, and informed about some of the great programs the distillery offers, such as the Cask Club and My Batch, where you get to distill and name your own, signature batch of spirits. Next I was taken on a tour of the distillery's magnificent machinery and the process and mechanics used to still the various spirits.
After the tour I was directed back towards the storefront where I was invited for a complimentary tasting. Because Heritage Distilling Company is still so new, they have not yet released any large batches of their aged spirits (but expect to find an aged bourbon coming soon.)
I had the liberty of tasting the HDC Vodka, HDC Soft Gin, an un-aged Commander's Rye Whiskey, and the Fall Classic Apple Cider Flavored Whiskey. The Commander's Rye is perhaps an acquired taste that I evidently have not yet developed, but the other three were outstanding. I particularly liked the HDC Soft Gin, with its full-flavored spiciness, and satiny smooth finish.
Supporting and promoting local establishments is something that I always take pride in doing, as it strengthens the community in which I live and love. Heritage Distilling Company makes this easy to do by offering a product that is authentic and enjoyable.
While I highly encourage visiting the distillery for yourself, if you are unable to make it in for a tour, you can still purchase Heritage Distilling Company's unique spirits at one of their many vendors, including Harbor Greens and Trader Joe's. For a list of all vendors, information regarding the Cask Club and My Batch Programs, or to schedule a tour, visit their website at http://www.heritagedistilling.com
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