A Little Slice of Scotland, Right Here in WA State
A Little Slice of Scotland, Right Here in WA State
When most people think of American whiskey, they think of Kentucky and Tennessee typically – not the Pacific Northwest. While we certainly revere the history of those traditions (hello, bourbon!), we’re taking those American roots and mixing it with the best of the Scottish craftsmanship that inspires us. Taken together, we’re making a new American whiskey.
Our journey is deeply indebted to the time-honored whiskey-making traditions of Scotland, which have been instrumental in shaping our present here at Docs. Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Coast in beautiful Whatcom County, WA, we’ve worked to embody the essence of these Scottish traditions, taking beautiful American-made bourbons and ryes and drawing inspiration from two crucial elements: climate and process. Let’s explore how these factors wield their influence within the walls of our facility. First up: climate!
The Basics: How Climate Shapes Whiskey:
In the world of whiskey, the marriage of climate and craftsmanship plays a pivotal role in the creation of nuanced and exceptional spirits. At Doc Swinson's, we’ve found ourselves in a serendipitous position, sharing a climate reminiscent of the whiskey haven of Scotland.
To begin, let’s take a look at the role of climate and whiskey production. How does the weather influence what is going on in the barrels?
Temperature Fluctuations: Whiskey aging is a dynamic process, and temperature variations play a crucial role. In warmer temperatures, the spirit expands into the wood, extracting flavors from the barrel. Conversely, during cooler periods, the whiskey contracts, allowing it to absorb these nuanced flavors.
Humidity and Evaporation: Humidity levels impact the rate of evaporation and concentration of flavors in the whiskey. Higher humidity slows the aging process, allowing for a smoother and more balanced end product.
Seasonal Changes: Distilleries often leverage the natural ebb and flow of seasons to influence the maturation process. Summer heat encourages interaction with the wood, while winter cold slows the process, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Our whiskey is first aged in Indiana, where it gets that traditional mid-Atlantic profile that we know and love of American whiskeys, but then we bring it to the PNW where we are able to impart the Scottish-climate influence during the final stages of aging and blending.
The Parallel Charm: Whatcom County and Scotland's Maritime Climate
Now that we have those basics under our belt, let’s explore how our similar landscapes affect our bourbon and rye barrels once we’ve brought them to our rickhouse.
Similar Latitude, Divergent Landscapes: Whatcom County and Scotland share a notable similarity in latitude, resulting in comparable seasonal variations. The gentle, maritime climate of Whatcom County, with its mild temperatures and abundant rainfall, provides an excellent parallel to the misty landscapes of Scotland.
Cool Breezes and Ocean Influence: Both Scotland and the PNW benefit from the tempering influence of nearby bodies of water. Our proximity to the Puget Sound ensures cool breezes at our doorstep, which moderate temperature extremes and fosters a gradual maturation process. Likewise, Scotland's distilleries along the coast benefit from the Atlantic Ocean's embrace. The high winter-time humidity of our infamously rainy landscape slows evaporation, while our dry summers allow flavors to concentrate and become more complex.
Seasonal Symphony: Whatcom County's climate, akin to Scotland's, moves through distinct seasons, each contributing its own cadence to the whiskey aging and blending process. Summers bring warmth, coaxing the spirit to interact fervently with the oak barrels, while winters, with their cool embrace, slow down the maturation tempo. This symphony of temperature variations imparts a nuanced complexity to the whiskey, mirroring the seasonal ebb and flow celebrated in the finest Scotch whiskies.
As you can see, Scotland and Whatcom County are basically the same! Alright, there may be a few crucial differences (the lack of castles here is notable, and we definitely do not bust our kilts out nearly enough…although we do have our own loch ness monster), but climate-wise, we are lucky to live in such a similar locale. In this intermingling of climate and craftsmanship, the transition from barrel to bottle stands as a testament to the artful synergy between nature and tradition. Cheers to the perfect blend!