Gig Harbor, Washington-based Heritage Distilling Co. announced the impending grand opening of a Heritage Distilling tasting room in partnership with the Stillaguamish Tribe at Angel of the Winds Casino Resort in Arlington, Washington, on Oct. 25. This event marks a historic milestone as the first-ever tasting room within a tribally-owned casino in the Pacific Northwest, allowing tourists, patrons and locals the opportunity to enjoy Heritage Distilling’s award-winning spirits in the tasting room and on property. The grand opening features a limited edition blend of two 10-year-old bourbons in celebration of Angel of Winds’ 20th anniversary. The release of these 700 bottles will be exclusively available at the Tribe’s location for the grand opening.
The new tasting room will deliver a curated selection of Heritage’s renowned whiskeys, vodkas, gins, and rums, mixologist-guided tastings, and specialty cocktails crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The space also features Heritage Distilling’s exclusive Cask Club membership program, allowing members to create personalized spirits and enjoy special benefits within easy access for the casino’s patrons and guests. In addition to the exceptional spirits, a seasonal menu of light bites to more substantial fare will complement the experience, initially set around an Italian themed food menu.
Stillaguamish Tribal Chairman Eric White said, “This venture reflects our commitment to providing unique local experiences and allows us to share our passion for quality spirits with the wider community. Our partnership with Heritage Distilling Co. on the new tasting room at Angel of the Winds Casino Resort is a collaboration that brings together our unique flavors and rich traditions with some of the finest distillers in the country. We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors to experience the exceptional craftsmanship and unforgettable tastes that define this new partnership. Together, we celebrate this new chapter and the opportunities it brings for our Tribe and our community.”
Cofounded by Justin and Jennifer Stiefel in 2011, Heritage is the most-awarded craft distillery in North America by the American Distilling Institute for ten years and is recognized for its innovative brand family. Beyond their mastery of distilling, the Stiefels saw both an injustice done to Native American Indigenous communities and a mutually beneficial economic opportunity to create national distribution for Heritage’s portfolio of craft spirits. Together, they established the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN), a first-of-its-kind partnership with Native American Tribes to develop Heritage-branded distilleries, brands, and tasting rooms to serve patrons of tribal casinos and entertainment venues. TBN members can benefit not only from sales margins and tax capture, they can also generate funds to support social and economic initiatives, increase employment and diversified skills, and create brands that celebrate the unique characteristics of a tribe or region.
“The partnership between the Stillaguamish Tribe and Heritage provides a unique opportunity to share our passion for crafting exceptional spirits with a broader audience while creating a vibrant destination within the Angel of the Winds Casino,” said Justin Stiefel. “Spirits production and sales represent the next major avenue for financial growth among tribes. With tribes already operating more than 500 casinos, entertainment and retail venues across the United States selling adult beverages, distilling is the logical next step in development. For more than 180 years, antiquated legislation excluded tribes from the spirits industry. Now, the Stillaguamish are primed to seize this opportunity.”
For more information on Heritage Distilling Co. and the Tribal Beverage Network, visit heritagedistilling.com.