We Paired our Craft Spirits with Von’s Iconic Dishes

For those of you who may not know the history of our company, we are a passionate group of people who have been in and around the restaurant and service industry for our entire lives. Our Distillery and Tasting Room is just the newest endeavor in a long lineage of restaurants, bars, and bakeries that span over 5 generations in our family.

Our popular sister restaurant, Von’s 1000 Spirits, (originally located in downtown Seattle, and now open in Woodinville!) is best known for their signature sourdough kitchen and specialty craft cocktails that evoke a feeling of mystery, magic, and romance. Here at Northwest Spirits Distillery & Tasting Room, we do our best to bring that same magic into what we do. We appreciate the true craftsmanship, tradition, and time it takes to produce quality spirits. We are passionate about sourcing the best barrels, and masterfully aging and blending to produce our signature collection of spirits. We are here to bring you Reward Spirits for your Halcyon Days.

With that in mind, we thought it would be a great idea to send our Master Distiller, Nick Warren, to do a little spirits & food pairing at Von’s 1000 Spirits, using our very own hand-crafted spirits. Let’s take a look at what Nick had to say about his pairing recommendations.

Scratch Vodka Martini & Northwest King Salmon Sourdough Pasta

Only the crisp, clean and refreshing sip of a Vodka Martini can perfectly balance this rich, yet delicate dish. There’s just enough restraint to let the salmon shine through, all while keeping your indulgent side satisfied with a touch of asiago cream sauce and buttered mushrooms. Lemon may be a Salmon’s best friend, and in this case, the lingering notes of a freshly peeled lemon twist atop the glass, perfectly enhance every bite of the tender salmon morsels found throughout.

Scratch Gin Martini & Spiced Fig, Prosciutto & Arugula Seattle Sourdough Pizza

The subtle, soft, and citrusy finish of our Classic Gin Martini is the perfect background and undertone for a dish with so many bold and complex flavors. Flavors of spiced fig overlayed with the martini almost have me tricked that I’ve been sipping a seasonal craft gin, perfect for the holidays. Bitter arugula adds a refreshing balance to the sweet fig, while its pepperiness is highlighted with the next sip of this classic London-dry style gin. The luscious whipped chevre found dolloped on top are starting to make my martini olive jealous its only stuffed with pimento.

Barrel Aged Leather Bound & Seattle Classic Hamburg

“Bold”, “decadent” and “flavorful” instantly come to mind in this pairing. However, I’m honestly not sure which item they best describe. The Barrel Aged Leather Bound is smooth and full-flavored, exclusively made with our Bar Boss™ Bourbon and its heavy vanilla profile.  The hand-chopped  ½ lb Seattle Classic Hamburg is big, juicy, and like our Bourbon, unapologetic to your taste buds. It’s a beefy delight, accentuated by pepper & brown sugar bacon, which adds just a touch of needed sweetness.  Our Barrel Aged Leather Bound also benefits from a touch of sweetness; vanilla and candied fruit balance out this flavorful Bourbon cocktail. The Seattle Classic Hamburg, finished with freshly chopped toppings and a slather of  “Jim’s Drive-In Sauce”, refreshes the palate just enough to keep you constantly reaching for another sip.