Anchorage Distillery
Brief Overview of the Distillery
Anchorage Distillery is a small-scale distillery in Anchorage, Alaska, which since 2015 has been making grain-to-glass spirits with a clear local character. The distillery works with grains grown in Alaska’s interior, uses glacial water from Eklutna, and launches both small batch whiskeys and exclusive tasting-room releases. The result is a range of limited releases and single-barrel products, which combine local ingredients with American-sourced components.
History
Since its start in 2015, Anchorage Distillery has systematically built a production that highlights Alaska’s farming and nature. The distillery distills its own spirits based on barley, rye, and wheat grown in the interior of the state and uses glacial water in the process. Over time, they have supplemented local distillates with selected whiskey components from the Lower 48 to create blended small batches. In 2023, the distillery was rewarded at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition with several gold medals, including for their Small Batch Whiskey and Aurora Gin, marking an important milestone in the recognition of their craft.
Raw Materials and Production
The production philosophy behind the distillery is grain-to-glass: they use grain from Palmer, Delta Junction, and valleys between local mountain ranges, along with pure glacial water from Eklutna. The grain varieties include barley, rye, wheat, and also corn for bourbon experiments. The distillery’s whiskey series includes small batch blends, single barrel rye, and early bourbon releases; several products are described as never chill-filtered. They combine Alaska-grown, locally produced distillates with imported components from the Lower 48 (e.g., Indiana rye and high-rye bourbon) in their blends, and conduct experimental finishes in collaboration with local partners such as Girdwood Brewing.
Aging and Barrel Types
The distillery’s aging profile includes new oak barrels for many of the local components, use of former bourbon casks (including casks from Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam) for longer aging, and finishes in stout barrels from local breweries. Several single-barrel releases have precisely stated ages (for example, over four years for individual barrels), and Adventure Series shows that the distillery actively experiments with barrel finishes to add unique layers to the whiskey.
The Whiskies
The portfolio includes small batch blends such as Batch 013 and several historical small batch releases (Batch 003–012), single barrel straight rye releases, an early straight bourbon single barrel, and seasonally themed Adventure Series releases such as stout-barrel-finished rye whiskeys. Some releases are available exclusively in the tasting room, while others are sold in local shops and a limited selection online. The range combines local Alaska-sourced ingredients with sourced American whiskeys to create both readily available and rarer, aged bottles.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 013 | Blend | 46 % | 3+ years (Alaska-grown portion aged 3+ years in new oak) | New oak, Indiana rye whiskey (component) and Indiana high-rye bourbon (component) | Blend of Alaska-grown grains and whiskey from the Lower 48; never chill-filtered.; Nose: toffee, spiced oak, marzipan, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, citrus zest, allspice, black pepper, dried cherry, fresh pear, shortbread, honey, pecan, cedar | Limited; Tasting room, local retailers, online (limited) |
| Single Barrel — Straight Bourbon (Our First Bourbon) | Straight Bourbon | 50 % | approximately 2 years (aged ~2 years as stated in the text) | Early single-barrel releases of the distillery’s first bourbon. Mashbill listed as 57% corn / 43% rye. 11 casks were laid down, of which only a few were released selectively (barrel no.1 in tasting room, barrel no.2 in selected retailers).; Nose: deep caramel and young corn sweetness with a rye backbone | Limited; Tasting room and select retailers (limited quantity) | |
| Straight Rye — Single Barrel (Batch 014) | Single Barrel Rye | 45 % | Single barrel | Straight rye distilled from rye grown by Vanderweele Farms in Palmer, Alaska. Single-barrel release with limited availability. | Limited; Tasting room / limited | |
| Early Release — Single Barrel (57% corn / 43% rye) | Single Barrel | 50 % | Single barrel | Early single-barrel release with mashbill listed as 57% corn and 43% rye; labeled as limited availability. | Limited | |
| Straight Rye — Barrel / Batch 010 & 011 | Single Barrel | 45 % | 4–5 years (listed as 4–5 years for the batches) | New oak | Single-barrel rye releases (Batch 010 & 011), labeled as sold out. Both age statements are noted and tasting notes are documented.; Nose: dried plum, caramel, apricot, dark chocolate (Batch 010); cinnamon, cedar, pear, vanilla (Batch 011) | Discontinued; Sold out |
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 012 | Blend | 2+ years (Alaska-made component aged 2+ years in new oak) | New oak | Blend combining local Alaska-grown grains and sourced whiskey from the Lower 48; never chill-filtered. Marked as sold out in the archive.; Nose: oak, toasted sugar, cocoa, orange peel, baking spices, stone fruit; Taste: vanilla, caramel, oak, cinnamon, cherry, almond, allspice, honey, cedar; Aftertaste: long, spicy oak, praline, orange zest, warm spice | Discontinued; Sold out | |
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 009 | Blend | 46 % | 8+ years (another component age noted as 8+ years in ex-bourbon barrels) | Ex-bourbon barrels (Maker's Mark & Jim Beam) | Blend of Alaska grains, longer-aged components in ex-bourbon barrels and whiskey from the Lower 48; option for local pickup.; Nose: Oak, toasted sugar, orange peel, baking spices, subtle malt; Taste: Black pepper, cinnamon, cherry, almond, allspice, toasted marshmallow, pecan, oak, honey, cedar, mature apple; Aftertaste: Long-lasting spicy oak, cooling cloves, crème brûlée, toasted almond, crisp apple, orange zest | Limited; Limited / tasting room |
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 008 | Blend | 46 % | 8+ years (age stated for part of the blend) | Ex-bourbon barrels | Earlier small batch blend with long-aged components in ex-bourbon barrels; marked as sold out.; Nose: Oak, toasted sugar, orange peel, gingerbread, black pepper, subtle floral notes; Taste: Black pepper, honey, apple, vanilla, roasted walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, cherry, allspice; Aftertaste: Long-lasting spicy oak, cooling cloves, crème brûlée, almond, crisp apple, orange zest | Discontinued; Sold out |
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 007 | Blend | 46 % | 8+ years (noted for some components) | Ex-bourbon barrels | Earlier small batch release with Alaska-grown ingredients and longer-aged components; sold out.; Nose: Vanilla, honey, oak, roasted sugar notes, subtle red fruit tones; Taste: Cherry, black pepper, honey, apple, roasted walnuts, cinnamon, spices, floral hints; Aftertaste: Long, spiced oak, cooling cloves, crème brûlée, crisp apple, orange zest, warm spice | Discontinued; Sold out |
| Small Batch Whiskey — Batch 006 | Blend | 45 % | Earlier small batch release with flavor notes and blending components documented in the archive.; Nose: Oak, vanilla, honey, apple, caramel; Taste: Oak, brown sugar, vanilla, cherry, plum, cinnamon, clove; Aftertaste: Long-lasting clove, black pepper, almond, citrus | Limited; Limited / tasting room | ||
| Stout Barrel Finished — Straight Rye (Girdwood Brewing collaboration) | Finished Rye; Adventure Series | 48 % | Aged 2 years in new oak, then finished in stout barrel | New oak (initial aging) and Stout barrel (finish); finish: Finished in stout barrel | Rye whiskey made from Alaska rye, aged 2 years in new oak and finished in a stout barrel from Girdwood Brewing; part of the Adventure Series and only available in the tasting room while supplies last. | Limited; Only in tasting room (limited) |
| Barrel / Batch 001 — Straight Alaska Grown Rye (single barrel) | Single Barrel Rye; Straight Rye | 4 years 5 months 23 days | New oak (single barrel) | Single-barrel straight rye with precisely stated aging; highlighted as a well-balanced single-barrel release.; Nose: Includes warm baking spices, vanilla, leather and honeyed oak; Aftertaste: Smooth finish with candied pepper and vanilla | Discontinued; Sold out / historic single barrel | |
| Barrel / Batch 002 — Straight Alaska Grown Rye (single barrel) | Single Barrel Rye; Straight Rye | 4 years 5 months 30 days | New oak (single barrel) | Another early single-barrel release with documented age; described as more peppery than batch 001.; Nose: Similar to batch 001 but with more pronounced rye bite from nose to finish | Discontinued; Sold out |
The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile
From the documented tasting notes, a common thread runs through many of the products: sweeter elements like vanilla, caramel, and toffee recur, often bound by pronounced oak from oak aging. Spicy directions such as black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice are prominent in the rye releases. There are also frequent fruit notes — orange zest, dried stone fruits, cherry, and fresh pear — which give several batches a fruity contrast to the sweet and spicy base.
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery has a tasting room in Anchorage and offers distillery tours as well as the ability to buy and pick up special releases directly in the tasting room. Adventure Series and some limited-edition bottles are often sold only on-site. Visitors can order for pickup and participate in tastings; booking details and opening hours are not provided on the cited pages, so expect that some releases are only available by visiting the tasting room.
Philosophy and Craft
Anchorage Distillery prioritizes local ingredients and a grain-to-glass approach: grains grown in Alaska’s interior and glacial water from Eklutna are central elements. They operate in small series, with single-barrel releases and local collaborations, and often choose not to chill-filter their whiskies to preserve texture and character.
Awards and Recognitions
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Gold (2023, Gold for Small Batch Whiskey, Small Batch Whiskey)
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Gold (2023, Gold for Aurora Gin, Aurora Gin)
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Gold (2023, Gold for Glacier Vodka, Glacier Vodka)
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Gold (2023, Gold for Blueberry Vodka, Blueberry Vodka)