History

Anchorage Distillery was founded in 2015 and is located in Anchorage, Alaska. The company describes itself as part of a frontier-crafted movement and produces small-batch spirits inspired by Alaska's wild landscape. They focus on showcasing Alaska's agriculture by distilling vodkas, gins and whiskeys from barley and rye grown in Alaska's rugged interior, not far from Denali. The products are finished with glacier-fed water from Eklutna Glacier. According to their statements, Alaska-grown grains and glacier water are significant to the character of the flavor. Their products are sold in over 300 bars, restaurants and retailers in Alaska as well as a few select retailers in Arkansas. This reflects their focus on combining local agriculture, natural resources, and small-batch distilling.

Production / Manufacturing

Grains to Glass Process

They mill Alaska-grown grain to a mash-like consistency to access the fermentable sugars in the starches, which are converted in water, enzymes and heat. The mash is then fermented for about 72 hours to produce a distiller's wort of around 8% ABV. Distillation is performed in different stills: stripper still and later rectification/essence-still to extract flavor compounds from fruit and botanical ingredients, which are blended into vodka or gin. The hearts portion is stored in charred oak for aging. Along the way, heads, hearts and tails are cleaned up and cuts are made to balance flavor and alcohol strength. The aging process and the essence enable the production of whiskey, gin, and vodka.

Gases and Quantities (Side Tools)

– 1,500 kg of grain (Alaska-approved) yields mash of around 4,000 liters; the mash is split and further processed through distillation cycles (for example 2,700 liters x 3) – 3 barrels are often used for aging; the output results in around 1,080 bottles of 750 ml (90 cases) – The alcohol strength at the distillate outlet is around 80 proof (about 40% ABV) for finished products

Products / Whisky Series

Whisky

• Straight Rye Whiskey
• Highlighted batch numbers: 003-009, 012, 013
• Tasting notes: toffee, spiced oak, marzipan, vanilla, roasted marshmallows, citrus twists, allspice, black pepper, dried cherries, pear, shortbread, honey, pecan, cedar
• Single Barrel Alaska Rye
• Batches: 001, 002, 010, 011
• Description: A single-barrel rye distilled from winter rye, aged in new oak and never chill-filtered
• Signature flavor practice: Aurora Moon Old Fashioned recipe mentioned as an example
• Small Batch Whiskey
• Batches: 003-009, 012, 013
• Description: Distilled from barley and wheat grown in Alaska's interior; blended with water and whiskey from the lower 48; never chill-filtered
• GIRDWOOD Stout Barrel Rye (Adventure Series)
• Rationale: Built on Alaska-grown rye, aged 2 years in new oak and finished in a stout barrel
• Signature sips mentioned: Girdwood Old Fashioned; stout barrel rye signature recipes
• Frontier Crafted Alaska Grown Whiskey
• Blend notes: Alaska-grown whiskey; Indiana rye whiskey; Indiana high-rye bourbon; aged in new oak
• Description: A frontier-crafted whiskey that is not chill-filtered and blended with other sources from the Lower 48

Visits and Experiences

• Tasting room: Grain to Glass Spirits & Craft Cocktails in Anchorage
• Tasting room facts: Tours are free; cocktails and spirit tastings can be purchased on-site
• Age requirement: For tours, 21+; no private tours or rental of the tasting room for private events
• Location and contact: 6310 A Street, Anchorage AK 99518; phone 907-561-2100
• Time restrictions and rules: Under state law, 3 oz may be served per person per day; alcohol service allows 2 cocktails (each typically 1.5 oz); outside beverages may not be brought in, and payment cannot be made in cash in certain cases; snacks may be allowed; there are hosted events and food trucks, and tasting room hours change seasonally
• Preparations for visits: Possibility of hosting chef pop-ups and other events; exact hours can be seen via the link on the page
• You can get cocktails featuring Aurora Gin, Glacier Vodka and other products on menus and by representatives

Philosophy

• Alaska as inspiration: Anchorage Distillery aims to deliver spirits that reflect Alaska's nature and agriculture – a frontier-crafted approach with small batches and unique, local ingredients.
• Grains to Glass: Production runs from Alaska-grown grains to the finished bottle, where glacier water and Arctic ingredients are integrated into the flavor.
• Product development: Leveraging Alaska-grown barley and rye gives characteristic, mild and resinous notes in gin and vodka, as well as depth in whiskey expressions, particularly when combining northern grains with local water from the glacier.
• Sales and distribution: Spirits are available in Alaska and a few other states; availability is supported by partner shipping across borders with a focus on Frontier Crafted range.