Readers' Choice 2026
Read More ›
Best Distillery: Westland Distillery
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Launched in 2011, with the goal of making an American Single Malt whiskey that reflects the Pacific Northwest terroir, Westland Distillery was an early entrant into the Washington-made spirits genre. The brand distills its product in SoDo and ages it for three years in the Skagit Valley, using a fi ve-malt mash bill that gives the whiskey its signature bold fl avor. With varieties finished in wine, beer, and Garryana wood (a native oak species found in the Pacific Northwest) casks, this whiskey is considered innovative and regional.
Runner Up: Doc Swinson’s Whiskey
About Readers' Choice 2026
Once a year, we turn the tables and ask our readers about their favorite local spots. The neighborhood café with the best coffee, the restaurant you book for every special occasion, and where you send out-of-town guests for top-tier cocktails. Seattleites have opinions, and they shared them with us. This year, we received more votes than ever before, with some familiar favorites returning and plenty of new names making the list.
Follow Us
When Slow and Steady is the Winning Pace
At Full Pull Wines, a business model built on customer service proves to be the best marketing tool of all.
How did you hear about Full Pull? That was the first question I asked every customer who walked through our door back in the early years (I founded Full Pull Wines in 2009, and for the first few years, I was the sole employee). The most common response? “I can’t remember.” They didn’t know, but…
Steins Up: 8 Washington Oktoberfests to Celebrate Fall
From Fremont’s three-day bash to Leavenworth’s Bavarian blowout, here’s where to join the festivities across the state.
Every year, as September rolls around, there’s a hint of nostalgia in the air as summer fades. The sun gradually sets earlier each night, and temperatures cool as summer’s frenetic energy begins to ease. Seattle and communities across the Evergreen State still have plenty in store for the rest of the year, though, starting with…
Enjoy a Summer Cocktail with SennzaFinne
The makers behind this local, small-batch amaro brand are passionate about capturing the region’s flavors.
Joey and Gillian Diedrick are the kind of people you meet and instantly think: They are so cool, how can we be friends? Longtime staples in the Seattle hospitality industry, at establishments including Eden Hill and How to Cook a Wolf, the Diedricks are smart, funny, super knowledgeable about cocktail history and culture—and they produce,…
Uncorking Good Ethics at Offset Bottle Shop
The new Seattle shop pairs small-producer wines with responsible farming, labor practices, and a social justice mission.
When it comes to wine, most people don’t think much further beyond what it costs and how it tastes But, just like any agricultural product, there is a whole system behind every glass you pour, and it doesn’t always put workers’ safety, health, and humanity at the forefront—especially during the labor-demanding harvest season. At Offset…