When it comes to picking out an unfamiliar bottle from either the liquor store or the shelf behind the bartender, you have a few options. Sometimes you’ll go by a recommendation, other times you’ll go by price, but sometimes you’ll simply pick something because the bottle looked cool. Here are five eye-catching craft spirit bottles from the Pacific Northwest.
Arbutus Distillery Coven Vodka (Nanaimo, BC)
ABV: 40 percent
Why it stands out: On the shelf, Coven Vodka looks like something Dracula might drink. The occult-themed bottle has ghost-white glass and a similarly colored label with red-foil lettering and a short story on the back involving rituals and enchantments. But at home when the lights go out, glow-in-the-dark paint reveals what can only be assumed to be the coven of witches from bottle’s namesake.
Bainbridge Distilleries Battle Point Organic Vanilla Vodka (Bainbridge Island, WA)
ABV: 43 percent
Why it stands out: All of Bainbridge Distilleries’ bottles have an embossed metallic label and a silhouette of a tree on the back of the bottle that appears through the front in an almost hologram-like fashion. Both of these elements are bold enough on their own, but their Vanilla Vodka takes it up a notch with 3-4 actual Madagascar vanilla bean pods sitting in the bottle, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to natural ingredients while looking spectacular.
House Spirits Distillery Westward Oregon Straight Malt Whiskey (Portland)
ABV: 45 percent
Why it stands out: The Westward Oregon Straight Malt Whiskey is an Irish-inspired whiskey made from barely and ages in oak barrels for a minimum of two years. Its packaging goes for a more simple approach with a mostly black and white label with gold foil accents and a matte black wax-sealed synthetic cork to top it all off.
Subrosa Spirits Saffron Vodka (Dundee, OR)
ABV: 45 percent
Why it stands out: Apart from the fact that it’s, you know, saffron-freaking-flavored vodka that’s made from eight spices, this Subrosa Spirits variety stands out because of its minimal label—or labels; it has one smaller logo toward the top that looks like a wax seal and another slim one toward the base. The tall, narrow and clear bottle looks elegant and is lets the light-yellow color of this liqueur shine through.
Sun Liquor Hedge Trimmer Gin (Seattle)
ABV: 42 percent
Why it stands out: Hedge Trimmer is a twice-distilled gin that’s made from nine botanicals from the staple juniper berries to more unusual ingredients like watermelon rind. The bottle itself, with its cylindrical corrugated ridges, small label and cap top, might look ordinary and blend into a selection of bottle water, but amid a sea of liquor bottles it stands out like a bright shining star.
