Food & Drink

The Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Miss at Proof on Saturday

Proof is the largest distillery festival in the Northwest

By A.J. Rathbun July 5, 2018

proof-pic

[addtoany]

Now in its fifth year and hosted by the Washington Distillers Guild, Proof, the largest distillery festival in the Northwest, takes place this Saturday, July 7, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. (for those with VIP admission, you can slip in at 4:30 p.m.) at Fremont Studios. With 45 distilleries involved, it’s a tasty way to sip, sample and purchase tipples from a wide array of local craftspeople. Every year, I see old bottled friends and find fantastic fresh spirits and liqueurs. With that in mind, below are five things I can’t wait to enjoy at Proof:

Getting the scoop on new distilleries.
While I know a fair number of the Northwest’s amazing distillers, there are always ones I’ve yet to meet—and Proof is the best place to meet them. And by “meet,” I of course mean sip their products and hear their stories. A few that are new to Proof this year that I’m excited to stop by and see include Fish Tale Spirits (who make, from what I’ve read, varietal grape vodkas and brandies) and Rolling River Spirits (who have an intriguing line of aquavits, among other bottles).

Sampling Cadée Distillery’s Epic Sh*t Gin and Medusa Whiskey.
At last year’s Proof I heard whispers about an upcoming barrel-aged gin from amiable Scottish transplant and Cadée distiller and owner Colin Campbell. Since then, the whispers have come to life, and it’ll be fun to see this gin—which has been aged in American White Oak barrels that once held Cadée bourbon—available at this year’s event. Also looking forward to seeing their new Medusa, a straight bourbon that’s been matured in 10-year-old Spanish Madeira wine barrels. Plus, Colin’s accent is fun.

Trying Sidetrack Distillery’s Yuzu Liqueur.
If you’ve ever been to this Kent spot on a farm also owned by the amazing distillers (if you haven’t been, you should really stop by), you know it’s a beautiful place where they raise an extensive range of fruits and produce, which they then turn into lovely liqueurs, eau di vie and more. And now they’re introducing a Yuzu liqueur at Proof. An Asian “superfruit,” Yuzu has become a big hit in cocktails made by local bars in the last few years. You can bring that cocktailing home with this liqueur, which I’ve heard has a delicate citrus taste and a heavenly aroma.

Tasting Copperworks’ Event-Only Whiskey.
The Pioneer Square distillery, which was recently named Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute, is releasing an American Single Malt Whiskey especially for Proof, and only available, I believe, that night. I know little about this whiskey—only that I’m excited it’s around, and that there will only be 100 bottles available. My guess is it’ll be like the other delectable Copperworks whiskies, and made from 100 percent malted barley and twice-distilled in Scottish copper stills. 

Snacking with local restaurants.
I always believe its good idea with all the spirit and liqueur tasting to enjoy a few snacks at Proof, to maintain my equilibrium. But this year, with 20 local restaurants there, the question is what to have? Will I balance my boozing with a little ballast in the form of made-from-scratch Honest Biscuits? Swim into a little sushi from Chiso Sushi to accompany the above Sidetrack Yuzu liqueur? Indulge my sweet tooth with a chilly treat from Bluebird Ice Cream? Probably, I’ll just decide on site once scanning the many choices.

Read more about Proof, and get tickets here.

Follow Us

Seattle’s Cool Confections

Seattle’s Cool Confections

Three cold treats to savor this summer

When the sun brings all the vitamin D, it’s time to seek out vitamin I: ice cream, shave ice, soft serve, or anything else cold, portable, and tasty. These are our current favorites in town. 

The Sandwich Goes Gourmet

The Sandwich Goes Gourmet

Seattle is experiencing a sandwich renaissance

Seattle doesn’t have one reigning sandwich, but that hasn’t ruled out sandwich shops from taking root and becoming key players in our food scene...

We Need to Talk About Tivoli

We Need to Talk About Tivoli

How is there not a line out the door?

Each time I return, for the mortadella sandwich with whipped ricotta and “pistachio jazz” at lunch or the black garlic knots at dinner, I marvel that the massive crowds of Seattle dining scenesters have yet to find it.

Fried Chicken Frenzy

Fried Chicken Frenzy

Jollibee opens first Seattle location in Mount Baker   

Jollibee, the largest Filipino fast-food chain, is opening at Rainier Valley Square in Mount Baker June 7. Known for its crispy Chickenjoy fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, and the iconic peach mango pie, Jollibee has amassed a cult following worldwide.