Admiralty Distillers

Tucked away in an industrial park close to the suppliers of the local ingredients that he uses, Admiralty Distillers’ owner Jake Soule tends the still he uses to craft his high quality custom spirits.

“As a long-time fan of spirits, I was inspired to learn how they were produced,” Jake smiles. “The more I learned about the interesting mix of art, science and a little voodoo that it takes, the more I wanted to do it.” Seven years later, Admiralty Distillers, the first craft distillery on the Olympic Peninsula, is winning awards for its products. In true community spirit, Admiralty maximizes local ingredients: water from the Olympic  mountains; pears and apples from local orchards; rye from Finnriver Farm and other local ingredients whose  flavors and aromas are reflective of the Quimper Peninsula.

In keeping with his commitment to implement innovative ways to use local products and byproducts,  Admiralty’s award-winning Marc Brandy uses pomace (the pulpy residue from grapes after crushing and  pressing) from local premium wineries, while the apples for his fruit brandy come from neighbor’s trees.

Spirits you’ll sample at the tasting room include eau de vie (French for “water of life”), a clear, fruit brandy made from local apples and pears that keep the profile of Washington’s fruit flavors; Marc brandy, a young grape spirit styled after classic Italian Grappa; aged brandy made from quality wine, with a focus on rare Orange Muscat grapes; and award-winning Pennant Gin™, made from grapes with accents of juniper, savory spices, and a hint of local lavender. While he’s made huge inroads, Soules is still inventing. “I continue to learn all I can; it keeps the intrigue,” he says. 

The name Admiralty was a clear choice for the distillery. Referring to the Inlet’s history of flooding downtown Port Townsend in its early years, surprising the settlers. Soules says, “(It) flooded the streets to let man know who’s in charge. Like the untamed Admiralty Inlet of old, Admiralty Distillers has a few surprises in store for you.” We can hardly wait!

Admiralty Distillers

820 Lake Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360.643.3530
admiraltydistillers.com