Spot Check: Award-Winning James Bay Distillers

Editor’s note: Originally published May 10, 2021. Republished May 12, 2022.

I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic, I’ve had extra time on my hands and have been learning new things like drawing pen and ink flowers, baking a perfect baguette, and during the holidays, I learned how to make a mock Moscow Mule from Revolution by The Barrel. Hosted by the Everett Public Library, Revolution owner Nigel Lindsey taught an online mocktail class. I’d never had a Moscow Mule or the main ingredient ginger beer. Turns out I love both and make my mocktail regularly.

I recently learned there was a whisky distiller just down the road from me in the Paine Field complex. I decided to take my Moscow Mule to the next level, an adult beverage that is.

Aging craft beverage goodness // Linda War Bonnet

Just to clear this up now, I am spelling whisky correctly because the whisky I’m referring to is sourced from Canada and Scotland. If sourced from the US or Ireland, add the ‘e’ - whiskey.

James Bay Distillers opened in Everett in 2019. They import their own Canadian whisky from Canada for bottling and finishing in barrels and import Scotch from Scottish distilleries for blending and bottling under UK rules from "Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs" office.

James Bay Distillers makes award-winning whiskies. They also make gin. Also award-winning.

James Bay Distillers award-winning craft beverages // Linda War Bonnet

I found a Mukilteo Mule recipe on the James Bay Distillers Facebook page. There are a bunch of recipes if you dig through the photo section. I’m told that all of them intentionally have minimal ingredients so they are easy for people to make at home.

Mukilteo Mule
1 to 1.5 oz Summer Gin No. 5 over ice
6-8 oz ginger ale or ginger beer
Juice of lime wedge or packet of “True Lime”

The next step was to call a friend and meet at the distillery. Co-founders Leigh and Ernie Troth greeted us at the door for a tour and tasting. They were friendly and very knowledgeable. The building is roomy so social distancing was easy and everyone respectfully wore masks. They have 2 stills, one small and one huge. I have no idea how they work, but they were beautiful and fascinating and something I’d love to learn more about.

Ernie Troth explaining how the still works // Linda War Bonnet

Next, we went to the finishing room with barrels of whisky and gin soaking up goodness, where we had an opportunity to taste their three whiskies and two gins. I will not attempt to describe them because I know nothing about this topic and it’s something you need to personally experience. I can say that they were all unique and fantastic, very high quality and clearly crafted to be sipped.

Friendly and very knowledge co-founders Leigh and Ernie Troth // Linda War Bonnet

Since I was planning on making my Mukilteo Mule later in the day, I skipped the cocktails available for purchase. James Bay sells mixers from a women-owned company in Portland, Oregon. They looked amazing and I’ll likely go back for some.

I purchased the Summer Gin No. 5 for my Mukilteo Mule. That evening I mixed up my mule and it was delicious, refreshing and it’s no wonder how they named their gin because it tasted like summer.

For those of you familiar with James Bay Distillers, their “Green Goose”, a Sherry Barrel Finished Goose, is being proofed down and bottled now. Also, look for their Navy Strength Gin sometime this summer.

Author’s notes 2022: James Bay Distillers has released their Navy Strength Gin and has continued to work on their craft, releasing new products, including vodka and Finocchietto, an original Italian recipe infusion of anise, fennel, almond & vanilla.

James Bay Distillers
3101 111th St SW Suite B
Everett, WA 98204
(425) 212-9135

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.