Whiskey Wednesday – Wildwood Spirits Co. Rendition Rye

Outside of Seattle, Washington in the northeast suburb of Bothell, Erik Liedholm opened Wildwood Spirits Co. ten years ago in 2014. Since then, the advanced sommelier and wine director for Seattle restaurateur John Howie’s various restaurants had been producing a wide array of spirits.

Liedholm began making grappa, an Italian brandy, as a hobby, that led him to greater ambitions. Together with Chef John Howie, the two opened Wildwood Spirits Co. at one of Howie’s restaurants, Beardslee Public House, where there is also a brewery. His other restaurants include Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, John Howie Steak, and Whiskey By John Howie.

In distilling its spirits, Wildwood Spirits Co. utilizes a farm to distillery model. It sources nearly 90% of the produce used for distilling — from winter wheat and corn to apple and Douglas fir — from within the state of Washington.

Wildwood Spirits Co. is best known for its Kur Gin and The Dark Door Bourbon. It’s the latter that leads us to our Whisky Wednesday feature of Rendition Rye, a five-year straight rye whiskey that’s finished in barrels that once housed The Dark Door Bourbon.

Rendition Rye arrives in a bottle with a label that reveals the barrel date, bottling date, and bottle number. We sampled Rendition Rye from a barrel date of 1/3/2017, bottled on 9/1/2023 in bottle number 54. It arrives at 90 proof and retails for $65.

The rye used in Rendition Rye is harvested in Indiana and the spirit aged for nearly five years in the Midwest, likely at MGP, prior to making its way to Wildwood’s bourbon barrels. The additional aging in The Dark Door barrels softens these qualities that brings forth a more mellowed version of a rye whiskey.

Upon pouring a dram of Rendition Rye, we notice that it pours a dark amber color with noticeable legs in a Glencairn glass. Aromas of baking spice and cinnamon along with faint notes of vanilla come forth. The flavor profile is full of vanilla and chocolate with a lingering spice on the finish that’s full of alcohol warmth, almost more than expected for a 90 proof whiskey.

Wildwood Spirits also produces Kur Gin, a London Dry Style Gin produced with Washington heirloom–variety red winter wheat. A backbone of classic juniper aromas and flavors with a bit of lavender is supplemented by the subtle citrus of Seville oranges, as well as Douglas Fir and Braeburn apples from co-founder Erik Liedholm’s backyard. Kur Gin sits at 80 proof and retails at $36.40 a bottle.

If you’re in the Seattle, visit Wildwood Spirits at its Ballard Distillery, Tasting Room, & Cocktail Bar located at 1400 NW 53rd Street. Its Bothell Distillery & Tasting Room is open by appointment only. To order Rendition Rye, Kur Gin or any of Wildwood Spirits other products, visit https://wildwoodspiritsco.com/shop-online/.