Ballard’s Heritage Distilling Expansion Sells Refillable Whiskey Growlers

Gig Harbor-based Heritage Distilling Co.’s Ballard expansion is now open at 1836 NW Market St., where the award-winning producer of Brown Sugar Bourbon and other spirits is selling tasting flights, mixed drinks, bottles to go, swag, and even refillable growlers of whiskeys and vodkas. Yes, using a spirits draft system, staff can fill swing-top bottles with the likes of Elk Rider bourbon or vodkas flavored with peach or pomegranate, which cost more than standard single-use bottles upon initial purchase but are significantly cheaper to refill.

Customers can also sip spirits neat in chilled sample glasses or buy $5 drinks from the “Bevanda” section of the menu, featuring combinations of the company’s own spirits and non-alcoholic additions. Options on the opening menu include I’m Your Huckleberry, featuring the company’s Batch No. 12 gin and huckleberry vodka with lemon juice and simple syrup, and BSB Churro, one for the dessert drinkers, showcasing Brown Sugar Bourbon with lime juice and ginger ale on ice with a cinnamon sugar rim.

This is Heritage’s fifth location, and it occupies 3,550 square feet, though the bulk of those wind through the production area in the back. The focal point of the relatively small but open retail space up front is a booth with a wallpaper image that reflects the neighborhood’s fishing heritage. Exposed brick, dark walls, and concrete floors are brightened by the large windows at the front and offset by the light wood on the bar top and that of the 10-liter Heritage Distilling casks, which allow Cask Club members to age a variety of Heritage spirits. A grand opening celebration is on Saturday, May 12.

A window at the back looks onto a small copper pot still, left behind from the previous tenant, Our/Seattle Vodka. The still’s name, Bestemor, which means “grandmother” in Norwegian, is an homage to president Jennifer (Hansen) Stiefel’s Norwegian heritage, Stiefel said in a press release. Director of retail operations Heidi van den Ouden said the company plans to replace the small still soon with a larger version more similar to the column stills used at the company’s other locations, though the small one might move to the Capitol Hill location when it opens soon.

Heritage Distilling Co. is open Monday to Wednesday noon to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Adam H. Callaghan/Eater

• Heritage Distilling Co. [Official website]
• Heritage Distilling Co. [Facebook]
• Award-Winning Distiller Plots a Ballard Location [ESEA]
• Award-Winning Distiller Opening Capitol Hill Tasting Room [ESEA]
• All Coverage of Heritage Distilling (Ballard) [ESEA]