Dry Fly Distillery opening in Spokane
I have often wondered why Washington state wasn’t dotted with small craft whisky and other spirit distilleries of the sort that are found in so many similar climates throughout the world. While traveling through Scotland this spring I couldn’t help but imagine the potential for such a business to thrive in the fair northwest climate, and relatively liberal political landscape. I had always assumed that there was a provision in the (uncharacteristically considering the local politics) strict Washington State liquor control laws forbidding the production of any spirits. Well, two men by he name of Don Poffenroth and Kent Fleischmann have investigate the subject in more detail and clearly found no such provision.
Poffenroth and Fleischmann have both resigned management roles in well established food processing and distribution companies to pursue their passion for the drink by founding what will be the state’s only operating spirits distillery in Spokane. Construction on the new Dry Fly Distilling facility is well under-way, with spirit production scheduled to begin in ernest in August of 2007.
While my interest in venture is predominately whisky (whiskey in this case) related, I’m thrilled to see any kind of quality craft distillery operation giving it a go in the state. Needless to say, I will be watching their progress with a great deal of interest in the coming months and years. If production begins as scheduled, we should be able to get our hands on a bottle of their vodka or gin late this summer. Our whiskey palates will have to wait for the spirit to come of age in 2009 at the earliest.
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