OOLA

Seattle, WA
Kirby Kallas-Lewis, founder of OOLA named the distillery after his dog, “The greatest German Sheppard that ever lived”.  I have no disputes that this is not the case and can appreciate how distillery owners across the country have incorporated their animals in the distillery life.  From passions of being an artist and a tribal art dealer, Kirby merged into the distilling world.  Taking his art to a new level and forming a new product that embraces good people with good times.

We all know that it takes the right ingredients, and the right combination of those ingredients to make spirits great.  When I travel to different distilleries I always ask, what the distillery does to make their products stand out.  Usually I get the answer that water is what makes the difference but at OOLA, they are not holding back.  Not only does the water in Seattle taste great on its own but adding the right ingredients into OOLA’s products, makes it fantastic!  OOLA uses a unique, winter white wheat that is found on the Eastern plains of the State of Washington.  This winter wheat can be found in some of the products that are produced by OOLA, and in my opinion, it adds a creaminess to their products.  Currently their products include their flagship vodka, flavored vodka (citrus was my favorite), flagship gin, barrel aged gin, bourbon (delicious), and the Discourse Series of Whiskey.  While visiting they had the C series available for purchase and I am very sad to say that mine broke on our way home.  The Discourse Series is only available at the distillery so handle with care if you purchase it to take home. 

Keep an eye out for great things coming from OOLA.  They are in the process of expanding their tasting room to a second location and receiving new equipment to help with production.  Can’t wait to see what is next for OOLA.
Cheers!