Tastings are great way to get to know local distilleries

Published 1:11 pm Friday, February 19, 2016

Want to try a large number of new spirits but don’t want to max your credit card at your local retailer?

Tasting events are the best way to expand your palate without breaking the bank, or the shelf of your liquor cabinet for that matter.

I have often visited the store and thought how wonderful it would be if we could just have open sampler bottles of wine and spirits, like how you can smell candles or soap before you buy. I guess you can’t light the candle or use the soap, but you get my point.

These events are fun and it is a special treat to get to meet local producers and chat about the industry, their products, and just about anything else for that matter. When my wife and I had first started seriously considering opening a distillery (sometimes I’m still not sure what we were thinking!), one of the first things we did was attend a few of these gatherings. You get to experience the broad yet local range of spirits, the event fee is somewhat minimal and pays for itself quickly (but please drink responsibly!), and there is no reason for anyone there to not have a good time. We will be at a few of these coming up, and would love to see you there.

Feb 27: Debuts and Discoveries features only new wineries, distilleries and breweries, along with food trucks. At Magnusson Park in Seattle, primary proceeds go to Outdoors for All Foundation; www.usrotary.org/debuts-and-discoveries; http://seattleuncorked.com/event/debuts-discoveries-sat-feb-27

March 12: The South Sound Spirit Gathering. Put on by the Washington Distillers Guild, 15 distilleries and several local restaurants, at the Olympic Flight Museum in Tumwater; www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2495620

April 23: Snohomish On The Rocks. Features distillers from around the Northwest; http://snohomishrocks.com.