Globally awarded Doc Swinson's opens its first public tasting room: The Barrel Lab

Long admired by discerning bartenders, whiskey aficionados, and curious collectors nationwide, Doc Swinson’s is now letting everyone in on the secret. In just a few years, it has grown from an underground cult favorite to one of the most decorated whiskey brands in the U.S.—distributed in over 22 states and the recipient of more than 100 accolades. Now, the award-winning brand is opening its first-ever public tasting room, The Barrel Lab, while celebrating a standout 2025 awards season. 

In May, Doc Swinson’s earned one of the industry's highest honors—Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, a distinction shared by only two other Pacific Northwest whiskey brands. In addition, the ASCOTs recognized Doc’s as National Independent Bottler of the Year in both 2022 and 2024. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the brand has taken home eight Double Gold medals and received a coveted Platinum medal for its French Toasted expression—an honor reserved for whiskeys that achieve Double Gold three years in a row. Doc’s experimental release, Golden Hour, was also ranked among the top five finished whiskeys in the world by SFWSC.

“The accolades are incredible—they affirm that we’re creating whiskeys people truly connect with,” said Jesse Parker, Doc Swinson’s Master Blender. “But for me, the real draw is the balance of science and art that goes into every bottle. I’m relentlessly curious—blending different whiskeys, finishing them in rare casks from around the world, aging them to different maturation points. That curiosity to explore is what fuels this brand. In fact, we often describe Doc Swinson’s as ‘curiosity in a bottle.’”

The unique climate of the Pacific Northwest is also part of the magic. “The misty maritime environment in Ferndale creates an aging process that’s truly special—slower, more nuanced, and reminiscent of coastal Scotland,” said Parker.

Located in Ferndale, Washington, The Barrel Lab opens to the public beginning June 5 and offers an immersive look at one of America’s most innovative blending houses. Step inside a whiskey lab where Caribbean rum barrels meet Washington air and limited releases are poured straight from the source. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings, explore finishing techniques, meet the Doc’s team, and access exclusive offerings not available anywhere else. Walk-in tastings are available Thursdays and Fridays from 5–7 PM and Saturdays from 12–4 PM. Private tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and interviews with the blending team can be arranged upon request.

Founded in 2017, Doc Swinson’s began when a small team in Ferndale stumbled upon a forgotten cache of bourbon barrels and reimagined what was possible through blending and cask finishing. Rather than distill from scratch, Doc’s takes a chef’s approach: sourcing exceptional American whiskeys, then finishing and blending them in-house using rare and globally sourced casks—like Caribbean rum, Oloroso sherry, and Cognac—to craft complex, expressive profiles.

“It’s been incredible to watch this brand resonate so strongly—not just with whiskey aficionados and respected voices in the industry, but with customers discovering us for the first time,” said Joe Mattson, Doc Swinson’s Chief Marketing Officer. "The recognition we’re earning shows that there’s real appetite for the curious approach we're taking—being open, asking questions, wondering, and trying new and different things. We hope to inspire that kind of curiosity in everyone who hears our story, tastes our whiskey, or visits The Barrel Lab.”

Doc’s is now available in 22 states, across Canada, and online in select U.S. markets. Its core lineup features standouts like the award-winning Triple Cask Bourbon and versatile Session Blend, complemented by limited-release expressions from the experimental Exploratory Cask Series—crafted to satisfy serious collectors and curious drinkers alike.

Visit The Barrel Lab
Beginning June 5, Doc Swinson’s invites media and guests to experience The Barrel Lab in Ferndale, WA—a working whiskey lab and immersive tasting room offering a rare inside look at one of the country’s most awarded blending houses.

·       Walk-in tastings: Thursdays and Fridays from 5–7 PM; Saturdays from 12–4 PM

·       Private tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, and interviews: Arranged upon request

Address: 1370 Commerce Place, Ferndale, WA

ABOUT DOC SWINSON’S
Doc Swinson’s is a bold whiskey brand known for finishing and blending a curious range of award-winning whiskeys by combining old-world traditions with innovative techniques. Founded in 2017 and located in Ferndale, WA, Doc's core line up, including their award-winning Triple Cask Bourbon and popular Session Blend, is distributed to more than 22 states and Canada alongside the renowned limited releases in the Exploratory Cask Series. Doc Swinson’s is curiosity in a bottle, on a mission to celebrate curiosity in all forms, expanding the world of American whiskey along the way. Visit docswhiskey.com to discover more and find a bottle of Doc’s near you. Doc Swinson’s: Open Curiosity.™

ABOUT DISTILLER’S WAY
Distiller’s Way LLC is the parent company of Doc Swinson’s Whiskey and a leading custom spirits house focused on made-to-order spirits solutions at scale. Based in Ferndale, WA, Distiller’s Way is a widely respected producer of high-quality private label products and innovative in-house brands including Outfitters Gin & Vodka and Doc Swinson’s. With a team of experienced distillers and blenders, Distiller’s Way offers a comprehensive range of services from concept development to bottling and labeling. Our flexible facility has a blending and storage capacity of 17,000 gallons and a high-capacity bottling and labeling line capable of producing 1,800 bottles per hour. Whether we’re creating in-house brands or making our partners’ spirits visions a reality, we put the same passion and attention to detail into every bottle we produce. Visit distillersway.com to learn more.