san juan island distillery

We had an amazing time visiting San Juan Island Distillery. Everyone there was super nice and gave us a great education on how cider is made. The products are based on apples from the island and they make some great gin as well. The kids played in the field while the grown ups enjoyed the distillery. Definitely worth a stop and taking home a few bottles!

We first discovered this place a few months ago when visiting the island. Their gin varieties are hands down the best gin I've ever tasted! Their apple-based gin has such complex floral undertones, it's a marvel to behold. Their hard ciders are also noteworthy. Also, don't miss the lavender and wild rose liqueur, it's fantastic and makes delicious champagne cocktails. We went back again on a recent visit to restock our liquor cabinet, we went through it all fast! Also, we even toted our kids along to visit, they didn't balk at the little ones running around. It's a family-friendly place, despite what they're selling!

We enjoyed an excursion to the San Juan Island Distillery on a rainy day during our recent visit. It wasn't too far of a walk from our hotel and it was interesting to see gin being made and the tasting was impressive.

This is a "not to be missed" stop if in Roche Harbor area. The owners and staff were amazing and extremely friendly. The gin varieties differ quite a but so visit during a tasting day.

Once we docked it was time for exploration to satisfy both the need for exercise and our curiosity. Finding the San Juan Island Distillery was a nice surprise here on Roche Harbor, A 4 mile loop from the water took us to the distillery for an hour long visit with the gracious owners. We not only learned about the chemical process involved in the cider and spirits but also enjoyed tasting each product. The hard cider was amazing, like a light bubbly champagne. I shipped a case home to Florida where it will be a rare treat. The gin and pre-made cocktails were also excellent . Our island hike was complete as we passed their lovely apple orchard on the way back to the boat.

This place us a "must see" while you are on the island. The owners are very accommodating and do a great job of explaining the processes and products. It is more than just the "pour and sip" wine tasting routine, It is a real education on the making of hard cider. The beautiful German made copper still that you will see in the pictures from other reviews is actually making apple brandy. It is about a five year process and it is in year three. Every so often the owners draw some of the product off the top and use it for weed killer! Their cider products are some of the best I have tasted but the real treat is getting acquainted with the gin they make. Their flagship product Spy Hop has the most distinct juniper flavor of any gin I have tasted. For their other products they have used island botanicals (Salal berries; Madronna bark; etc) to flavor the liquors. Naturally, some of these will appeal to you more than others. They have also realized that the many boaters who visit the island may not have fully equipped cocktail facilities so they bottled some pre-made cocktails using their own products. The most fascinating fact they shared is that their entire production is consumed (or sold) on the island to residents and visitors. There is one cider bar in Seattle that serves their products but, outside of that,they have no commercial sales off the island. The facility is very small and can be easy to drive past if you are not paying attention. If you can't find a tourist map with the location marked, as anyone in Roche Harbor for directions.

We arrived close to closing time. At first the young lady at the front of the store said they had closed and we would not be allowed to do the tasting. We were allowed to do a quick look through the store although she made it quite clear she needed to close in 5 minutes/ 4pm. We came upon the owner who was very nice and allowed us to try the cider selection. We were delighted with his willingness to stay, give us insight on how the distillery works and how his family came to own the facility. Very nice gentleman. Highly recommend this tour and wish the family much success.

This place is really great; but not that easy to find. It is past the usual harbor area; toward the end of the peninsula. Te family that runs this is very people oriented, and offer a great tasting experience. The ciders are truly great and not what I expected. The gins and other harder samples are also fun and taste great. We bought the Navy Strength Gin and they set off a canon. That was great fun.

Unique and fun. We enjoyed both the hard cider and gin. The gin was interesting. We could have walked from the harbor, but took a taxi for $8 for six of us.

... but they're working on it. A hike from Roche Harbor to this artisanal distillery makes a fun little outing. The business is open for walk-in free tastings on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Visitors have an opportunity to sample their ciders and gins and learn about how they're made. They're also available for sale. The owners moved here recently from Wisconsin with a goal of using local crops to make apple brandy. Sadly, the brandy's still aging. Guess we'll just have to come back when it's ready!

Craft distillery. We were not going to be on the island during their normal open hours but we called for an appointment and were given hours on a couple different days when they would be in the shop and available for tasting and tours. They were eager to share their knowledge and passion of cider and gin. A short walk from Roche Harbor or an easy drive from Friday Harbor.

I am so glad we stopped here. It was not a day posted that they would be open but they were. Free cider and gin tasting and friendly service. Spent about 45 mins here and left with a bottle of cider. Gin was very good but a little pricy. Glad we stopped!

We had a couple of hours before we could check into our condo at Roche Harbor. We saw the signs for "Cider-works Tasting and Distillery", less than a mile from the condo/marina/Hotel (walkable with a good pair of shoes). Were we in for a surprise... this wasn't some "Mom and Pop Stick your Head in the Door and ask for a Taste" place - it was a well orchestrated event. There were two rooms - one for the cider and one for the distillery. There was a "director" outside who put you with a group in the cider-works, whereupon you had an entertaining presentation by a well versed expert on the cider. We learned how they picked the apples (their own down the street), and made the cider. Not being a beer drinker, I learned to appreciate good dry hard cider on my trips to Great Britain. I've had many cider disappointments in North America... but this wasn't one of them. The various ciders were delicious and dry. Just the way I love them. We were then directed a few steps away where we tasted gin from the distillery. Some made with the cider, some not. Who would think tasting gin could be an experience? I certainly didn't. But, with a little knowledge it was easy to discern the tastes of juniper and blackberry, or juniper and citrus. Or, one of the many other variations. Of course at the end of the tour, you had ample opportunity to buy their products, and we eagerly did so (it may have been the alcohol buying at that point). It was an unexpected and very enjoyable hour spent on a sleepy corner of San Juan Island.

This is a family owned distillery that specializes in Hard Cider and Gin. We did not know much about either but wanted to learn more. We were welcomed by the owners and sat down with "Hawk" who walked us through the cider process and let us taste everything. (His real name is Hawk, I know, how cool is that.) They answered all of our many questions and then it was on to the Gin tasting. We are both very light drinkers, but we just thoroughly loved the experience we had there. We ended up spending a good amount of time there and they walked us through everything in the process, it was fascinating. They put out a really great product, so good that it took me 2 trips to the car to load everything we bought. Got a lot of great unique gifts for friends who do enjoy this type of libation. Highly recommend you stop in and say hello.