Whiskey Tasting Flight at the Oola Distillery Bottle Shop

On my most recent trip to Seattle, I made a long overdue stop at the Oola Distillery bottle shop in the Georgetown area south of the city center. The actual distillery, which is located a few minutes away in SODO, has its own tasting room and does offer tours on a limited basis, although none were available when I was looking at tour options for my trip.  If you'd like a tour, I definitely recommend booking it well in advance.

Oola claims to be the oldest craft distillery in the city as well as one of the largest in Washington State. It was founded in January of 2010 by Kirby Kallas-Lewis, a former art dealer.  The distillery gets its name from one of Kallas-Lewis' pets, a German Sheppard who it seems has passed on.  In addition to expressions of high-rye bourbon, the distillery also produces vodka and gin, along with a barrel aged version of the latter.

In addition to selling the distillery's craft spirits by the bottle, tastings, glassware and other merchandise, the bottle shop offers cocktails for those who don't enjoy tasting neat spirits.  Business was a little slow when I was there in the early afternoon on an overcast Friday, so I had a nice chance to sample the four whiskies currently in inventory and chat a little with the distillery employee manning the shop.

Oola Craft Whiskey Tasting Flight

The Oola craft whiskey line-up is built around the distillery's flagship Waitsburg Whiskey Bourbon.  The name Waitsburg comes from the Washington state town where the corn and wheat are sourced.  Flights at the bottle shop are usually three pours, but you can add a fourth for $5, and I decided to take advantage of that.

Waitsburg Whiskey Bourbon:  While the precise mash bill is not disclosed, we know that this is a four-grain, high rye bourbon made up of local corn, rye, white winter wheat and barley.  The distillery employee I spoke with could only say that he "thought" the corn content was either 52 or 62%, that it was high rye, and that the quantities of barley and wheat were equal. I think this bourbon is a bit too sweet to be 52% corn, so I am thinking the mash bill is probably something like 62% corn, 20% rye, 9% wheat and 9% barley, but it's just an educated guess. Aged 6-8 years. I found references in some reviews to the use of 10 gallon micro barrels for a time before transferring it to 53 gallon barrels to mature, although only 53 gallon barrels are referenced on the distiller's website. 94 proof.

Nose: Vanilla, malt, and grain.

Palate: Vanilla, fresh baked bread, pepper with light cherry notes.  Medium heat.

Finish: Lingering peppery notes, wheat bread.

Discourse Series Three Shores Blended Whiskey:  This limited release is a blend of Waitsburg Bourbon, an undisclosed Canadian whiskey, and an undisclosed Highland Scotch.  No age statement. 94 proof.

Nose: Vanilla and malt.

Palate: Vanilla, stewed apples, baking spice.

Finish: Mild peppery notes with vanilla.  Mild warming in the chest.

Discourse C Cabernet Finished Bourbon: This limited release of the Waitsfield bourbon is finished for one year in French oak barrels that have previously been used to age Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 6-8 years in American white oak before finishing. 94 proof.

Nose: Vanilla, dark red fruit, grain.

Palate: Vanilla, caramel, baking spice, plums.

Finish: Pepper and lingering fruity notes.

Waitsburg Whiskey Cask Strength Bourbon: This 116-proof barrel strength version of the flagship bourbon brings out some flavors I found muted in the lower proof version. Caramel and cherry, in particular, are much more pronounced in the cask strength variant.  Aged 6-8 years.

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, light grassy notes.

Palate: Caramel, cherry, vanilla, baking spice, pepper

Finish: Pepper and wheat bread.

Overall, I really enjoyed sampling these whiskies and would love to return for a tour of the distillery on a future visit to the area.  I ended up bringing home a bottle of the Waitsfield Bourbon and the Three Shores Blended Whiskey.  If you're ever in the area, I'd definitely stop in for a tasting.  

Along with my visits to Woodinville Whiskey and Skybound Spirits, Batch 206 and Freemont Mischief, my visit to Oola reinforces how diverse and well developed the spirit, beer and wine culture of Washington State is. If this were a blog about beer, I could write a half dozen articles about the breweries here, and I'm just starting to experience the excellent wine crafted in the area.  If you get the chance to visit, I'd definitely make sure you find time to sample the local libations, whatever your preference.

Cheers!