About Our Distillery

Small, Family-Owned, a Love of Craftsmanship

Pacific Distillery is a small, family-owned-and-operated distillery located in the heart of Woodinville, Washington's wine country, just north of Seattle. We specialize in making world-class hand-made spirits using old-world methods, recipes and equipment.

We've put the knowledge we've accumulated over years of running our small family herb business to good use. Botanical samplings from around the world, in addtion to what we've grown ourselves in our own garden are combined to make the best spirits possible.

Making Artisanal Spirits

The True Craft of Distilling

We've been asked why we don't use one of those high-tech looking modern stills, so nice and shiny with stainless steel tubes and gadgets all over. There are several reasons. One is our approach to spirits making.

Making old world spirits requires old world skills and old world equipment. Since our products are single-batch, hand-made spirits, it only makes sense for us to use an alambic pot still that was made with this craft in mind. We're committed to the methods of spirit-making that were practised by the craft distilllers of the 19th Century.

Another reason for choosing a traditional copper still is the chemical properties copper exerts during the distillation. Copper has excellent heat-transfer capabilities, resistance to corrosion from wine being distilled into brandy, and copper chemically neutralizes many of the unwanted flavors that can ruin a liquor.

We're proud to show off our copper alambic still to visitors to the distillery.

Whole Botanicals

Only the Best, From Across the County and Around the Globe

Pacifique Absinthe Verte

An Authentic 19th Century Traditional Absinthe

Pacifique Absinthe Verte Supérieure is a super-premium absinthe, hand-crafted in the historic Franco-Swiss style. Pacifique is made in exact accordance to a classic 1855 French recipe, and faithfully represents a recreation of the kind of absinthe one would drink in 19th century France. Pacifique is artisan distilled using historic distilling techniques in a hand-hammered copper alembic pot still. By using only the finest grain spirits and selected botanicals chosen from around the globe, we insure a truly world class product that reflects the undeniable qualities of the art of traditional distilling.

Pacifique Absinthe Verte Supérieur is perfectly served performing the classic French Drip Ritual but also blends beautifully with other spirits and mixers. From the classic Sazerac to a refreshing Clipper Ship - use in the many historic cocktail recipes of the past or a creation of your own, Pacifique epitomizes the true taste of the Belle Époque.

Absinthe Herbs

Wormwood, green anise and fennel are often called the "Holy Trinity" of absinthe botanicals.  Virtually every true quality absinthe of the Belle Époque era was founded on a delicate balance between these three ingredients.  The sweet, spicy, robust flavors of the anise and fennel are wonderfully complimented by the fresh, cool, herbal aromatics of the absinthium wormwood.

Other traditional herbs in Pacifique Verte are angelica, coriander, roman wormwood, hyssop and melissa. These last three, used in post-distillation infusion, provide additional flavor, fragrance, and the natural green color for which absinthe is famous.

Wormwood Artemisia absinthium	Green Anise Pimpinella anisum	Fennel Foeniculum vulgare

Absinthe Facts & Serving Tips

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is Absinthe?
Absinthe is a distilled herbal spirit flavored with wormwood, anise and other herbs. Its flavor is similar to licorice, not unlike ouzo or arak, but this varies in prominence by brand. It is bottled at a high proof and sold as an extract or concentrate, intended to be diluted with iced water and taken as a cool, refreshing aperitif.

What is Wormwood?
A shrubby herb of the sagebrush family. There are over 125 species of Artemisia, with "wormwood" being the most common name for the genus. However only one species, Artemisia absinthium, makes authentic absinthe. Many imitation brands do not use Artemisia absinthium or wormwood of any kind.

What About Thujone?
Thujone is a sales gimmick used by inferior brands to suggest unusual drug-like or aphrodisiac effects, despite the fact that thujone has no such properties. It is a convulsant neurotoxin in high concentrations, but not in the amounts found in absinthe either before or after the ban. Analysis has shown that pre-ban absinthe contained only trace amounts of thujone, as do modern absinthes that are made to traditional standards.

Storage
Absinthe should be stored upright, in a cool, dark place, but never refrigerated or put in a freezer.

Is It Harmful?
Neither absinthe nor the herbs from which it is made will make you hallucinate or go crazy. Millions of people drank absinthe daily for many years with no adverse effects not attributable directly to the strong alcohol content. As with all spirits, however, it should be enjoyed in moderation.

Why Was Absinthe Banned?
The ban was a political response to the temperance movement as well as lobbying by the wine industry, which was threatened by the popularity of absinthe. The ban was supported by poor science and deliberate misinformation, and inspired by unsafe, inferior brands.

Is Real Absinthe Legal in the US?
Yes, and it technically has been for many years, although this was unknown until recently. It may be imported, and domestic distillers are now permitted to produce and sell fully historic absinthe.

Why is it Green?
A true "verte" absinthe is infused with herbs after distilling for the additional flavor and aromas they impart. It is naturally colored green by chlorophyll in the herbs, not from dyes or additives. Because of this, it can be expected to gradually change over time to an olive, amber, or dead leaf color.

What is the Proper Way To Serve Absinthe?

Some items that are specific to preparing and drinking absinthe are special glasses that are marked with lines or have reservoirs to mark a proper serving, which is about 1oz or 30ml. However, any glass can be used. Absinthe spoons are flat, slotted spoons which rest atop the glass and hold a sugar lump.

The preparation of absinthe is fairly simple. A serving of absinthe is poured into a glass, then using a carafe, pitcher, or an absinthe water-fountain, iced water is very slowly added to a ratio of between 3 to 5 parts water to 1 part absinthe. The absinthe will "louche," turning an opalescent, milky white color as the flavorful herbal oils come out of solution with the high-proof spirit. Sugar and water ratios are subject to individual tastes.

Absinthe is bottled at high proof, making it extremely flammable. However, the so-called "Bohemian fire ritual" is not recommended. This is a modern invention from Eastern Europe, and was never used historically with absinthe. The burnt sugar can ruin the flavor of the absinthe, and the risk of accidental fire and broken glassware is high.

Voyager Distilled Dry Gin

Gin That Tastes Like Gin

Voyager Single-Batch Distilled Gin is a gin lover's gin. Now, we know that not everybody likes gin, but those who do like it like it a lot.  That's why we decided to make a gin for gin lovers instead of vodka lovers or whisky lovers.

That's why Voyager Gin tastes the way gin is supposed to taste: bold juniper, fresh, light citrus and mild hints of exotic spices; not like whiskey, not like vodka. And definitely not like the potpourri sitting on your grandma's dresser.

Voyager is a hand-crafted American gin in the London Dry style. It's been artisan distilled using only the finest grain spirits and select, all organic plants, herbs and spices. We choose our botanicals from around the globe to insure that Voyager is truly a world class product that carries forward the traditions of 19th century craft distillers. These ingredients are placed into a hand-hammered copper alembic pot still and carefully distilled to insure that the finished flavor and aromas are fully integrated and complementary. The result is an ultra-premium spirit that mixes perfectly in your favorite gin-based cocktail: from a classic dry Martini to a refreshing Gin & Tonic, or one of the many great new creations by today's talented mixologists - Voyager is a gin that epitomizes the essence of cocktail culture.

Voyager Botanicals

The name "gin" is derived from the Dutch for juniper: jenever, and the Dutch spirit called jenever is the ancestor of the popular London dry style gin.   By definition, gin is a spirit flavored predominantly with juniper berries.  In the spirit of tradition, we use a generous portion of the best European juniper in Voyager Dry Gin, along with other tradtional and time-honored botanicals such as orris root, citrus, angelica, cardamom and cassia.
Juniper Juniperus communis	Coriander Coriandrum sativa	Angelica Angelica archangelica

Informative Links

Absinthe, Gin, Distilling, Cocktails

Wormwood Society Absinthe Association
Non-profit absinthe education organization based in the US, founded 2004. Complete information for newcomers and aficionados. Product ratings and reviews, educational articles, historic and scientific documents, Frequently Asked Questions, lively discussion forum.


The Virtual Absinthe Museum
The most comprehensive absinthe information site on the web, with special focus on photos and information about pre-ban era absinthe antiques. In-depth FAQ section. Also ocassionally offers samples of rare, pre-ban absinthe for sale.

La Maison d'Absinthe
The American branch of The Frenchman, Ltd., the primary manufacturer of absinthe paraphernalia and accoutrements. Also home to the American Absinthe Museum in New Orleans.

Chanticleer Society
A cocktail appreciation group created for Cocktailians by Cocktailians. Promotes the ideals of the cocktail as a form of culinary expression. Discussion forum, global bar directory, information wikis.

The Fée Verte Absinthe Forum
The web's oldest absinthe discussion forum, founded 1997. Also has ratings and reviews, informative articles, Frequently Asked Questions.

Absinthe.se
Swedish absinthe information site (English language). Product reviews.

The Absinthe Review Network
Product reviews and discussion forum.

thujone.info
Accurate, authoritative information about thujone, the controversial "active" ingredient in absinthe. Modern research papers on analysis of absinthe and thujone.

Find Us - Follow Us

Visit Us at the Distillery or Follow Us on the Social Networks

Online Retailers

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Distribution

Where to Buy Our Products

For information on distribution in Washington state, please contact us at the distillery:

Pacific Distillery, 18808 142nd Ave., NE #4B
Woodinville, WA. 98072-8281
phone: (425) 350-9061 fax: (425) 645-7941

All other states may contact our U.S. Sales Representative:
Tempus Fugit Spirits
www.tempusfugitspirits.com
P.O. Box 658 Novato, Ca 94948-0658
USA phone: (707) 789-9660 fax: (707) 789-9666

Cocktails

Classic Recipes Showcasing Our Spirits

CLIPPER SHIP Designed by Robert "DrinkBoy" Hess for Voyager Gin. 2 oz Voyager Gin 1 oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur 1/2 oz lime juice 1 dash Pacifique Absinthe Shake with ice, strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish: Lime twist
SAZERAC The New Orleans classic. • 2 1⁄2 oz Rye Whiskey • 1 sugar cube and 1 tsp water, muddled (or 1 tsp of simple syrup) • 3 or 4 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters (no substitutions) • A splash of Pacifique Absinthe Add all but the absinthe to a mixing glass with ice and stir until until well-chilled. Rinse a chilled Old Fashioned (or "rocks") glass with absinthe and empty the excess, keeping just enough to coat the inside of the glass. Strain whiskey, bitters and sugar into the glass; garnish with a lemon twist.	COCKTAIL á la LOUISIANE An excellent companion to the Sazerac. • 3⁄4 oz Rye Whiskey • 3⁄4 oz Benedictine • 3⁄4 oz Sweet Vermouth • 3 dashes Pacifique Absinthe • 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters Add to mixing glass with ice and stir until until well-chilled. Strain into frosted cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
MONKEY GLAND • 3 dashes Pacifique Absinthe • 3 dashes Grenadine • 2 oz Orange Juice • 2 oz  Voyager Gin Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.	OBITUARY COCKTAIL • 2 1⁄2 oz Voyager Gin • 1⁄2 oz Dry Vermouth • 1⁄4 oz Pacifique Absinthe Add to mixing glass with ice and stir until until well-chilled. Strain into frosted cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist
	CORPSE REVIVER No. 2 • 1⁄2 oz fresh Lemon Juice • 1⁄2 oz Kina Lillet. • 1⁄2 oz Cointreau. • 1⁄2 oz Voyager Gin. • 1 Dash Pacifique Absinthe. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.