Awards

Savor Spear Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2023 North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition – “Best of Show” First Place (Double Gold/96 points)

MLSA Competition 2023 – Triple Gold Medal

SIP Awards International Spirits Competition 2023 – Gold Medal

American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition 2023 –  Silver Medal 

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 – Gold Medal

Denver International Spirits Competition 2023 – Gold Medal

Sunset International Spirits Competition 2022 – Gold Medal

New York International Spirits Competition 2023 – Silver Medal

2022 Craft Distillers Spirits Competition – Silver Medal

PR%F Awards 2022 distributed by Food and Beverage Magazine – Double Silver Medals

Sip Magazine’s Best of the Northwest Spirits Awards 2022 – Silver Medal

2023 World Whiskies Awards – Bronze Medal

·········

Press

Sip Magazine

 Announcing the 11th Annual Best of the Northwest Spirits Awards

By Sip Magazine

“The submissions were sampled blind and judged by a panel of the Northwest’s top palates made up of mixologists, beverage buyers, spirit writers, distributors and distillers.”

·········

425 Business

Quitting Time: Northwest Spirits Tasting Room

By Denise Sakaki

“The tasting room is the ideal spot to savor one of its tasting flights, as well as signature cocktails that change with the season. A selection of small bites is also available, making it a full experience. Its new fall cocktail menu features a twist on the classic Black Manhattan, using its Bar Boss Bourbon™ with amaro, amaretto, chocolate bitters, and vermouth, with a dramatic applewood smoke finish.”

·········

The Seattle Times

Cheers! New breweries and bars open on the Eastside

By Tan Vinh

“The family behind the popular Seattle happy-hour haunt Von’s 1000 Spirits expands to Woodinville with a tasting room that looks more like a cocktail den, with a mahogany back bar and walls studded with booze. The Northwest Spirits Tasting Room can seat 35 patrons and soon will have an outdoor patio with a firepit. Located north of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, the tasting room serves cocktails made from the family’s line of whiskeys, gins and vodkas. This new tasting room will soon have company. In December, Von’s bar restaurant will expand to Woodinville as well. The Eastside Von’s will also have the popular “Wagering Wheel,” where patrons can spin the wheel to try to win a discounted stiff drink.”

·········

Sip Magazine

A Family Affair, Von’s Legacy Lives On

by Angela Prosper

“Northwest Spirits Tasting Room & Retail Center is now open for business in Woodinville. At the grand opening of Northwest Spirits’ new tasting room and retail space in Woodinville, Wash., Merrisa Firnstahl-Claridge makes her way through the crowd of close friends, family and longtime patrons of Von’s Gustobistro with warmth and intention. You can tell she is in her element, making sure to personally thank each attendee for supporting her as this venture slowly became a reality. “

·········

The Woodinville Weekly

 Fifth Generation Restaurant Owner Opens Distillery, Restaurant in Woodinville

by Madeline Coats

“Firnstahl-Claridge said it feels like a natural step to expand her brand out of the city and into the suburbs. She’s also looking forward to being located within walking distance of other local distilleries in Woodinville.”

“Northwest Spirits is serving a small food menu and several cocktail items until the restaurant officially opens this fall, she said. Once the restaurant opens, Firnstahl-Claridge hopes to use the tasting room as an event space.”

“”As soon as the restaurant opens, she said, guests can order food from Von’s to the tasting room. She wants patrons to have the “full experience,” she added.”

·········

425 Magazine

Northwest Spirits Tasting Room & Retail Center Opens in Woodinville

by Denise Sakaki

“Designed to be both a tasting room as well as a go-to resource for quality barware, the location also will have a curated selection of specialty items to complete home bars. The Northwest Spirits’ tasting room reflects a decade-plus experience of distilling and appreciation for spirits, with an impressive 1890s mahogany backbar, a 53-gallon copper still, and cozy seating for guests.”

·········

Puget Sound Business Journal

Von’s 1000 Spirits plans large Woodinville project

by Joey Thompson

·········