3 Howls Spirits was founded in 2013 in the heart of Seattle’s SODO district by Will Maschmeier and Craig Phalen.
Will Maschmeier is a self proclaimed experimenter at heart. His concoctions began in a “mad-scientist” kitchen, complete with beakers of fermenting wort and rows of infused vodkas. Will trained at the Artisan Craft Distilling Institute, volunteered at local distilleries, and fermented anything he could get his hands on. After rounding out his skills with a bartending course, Will found his ultimate laboratory in SODO and has been crafting spirits ever since.
Craig Phalen was formerly a part of IT companies such as Microsoft and Vulcan, but underneath it all Craig had a passion for fine food and wine. As a part of his work, Craig spent a great deal of time traveling and cultivating his taste for all things culinary. In 2007, he left IT behind and opened a bar and restaurant in Washington. Years later, he sold his business and began work on opening a distillery.
They pride themselves in offering award-winning Northwest-inspired spirits. Every product is handcrafted with distinct ingredients that are designed to stand out. You can enjoy their spirits alone, accompanied in your favorite drink, or in a Mojito cupcake made by yours truly.
We love, LOVE their Gold Label Rum: sweet Barbados molasses, lightly caramelized cane sugar, with hints of caramel and vanilla. It was our #1 pick for our Mojito buttercream. Will, Craig, and team were kind enough to let the rum sit in the barrels for just a bit longer for a more concentrated flavor in our frosting. We appreciate their attention to detail and graciousness1
Aside from the incredible rum we love, they also offer eleven other spirits: various styles of rum, vodka, whiskey and gins. Every spirit produced begins with a distinct base, whether it be the European malted barley featured in their Single Malt Whiskey or the sweet Barbados molasses in their White Label Rum. Fermented in state-of-the-art stainless steel tanks or an open-top cypress ferment tank, the spirits are distilled using a 300-gallon copper-packed still. Naturally flavored vodkas and whiskeys are then vapor-infused for a truly unique flavor experience. The team at 3 Howls bottle, label, and package every bottle by hand – now that’s love.
Proudly rooted in the Pacific Northwest, the inspiration for 3 Howls comes from all the way across the pond. Ankle deep in a peat bog on a distillery tour in Isla, Scotland is where founder Will Maschmeier first heard the story of the Cù-Sìth (pronounced koo-shee). Legend has it that this giant hound roams Scotland’s highlands and moors, howling three times before taking souls to the underworld. The three howls of the Cù-Sìth, combined with the act of bringing a part of the old world (the distilling practices of Scotland) to the new world (the Pacific Northwest), morphed together to form the brand now fondly known as 3 Howls Distillery.
3 Howls believes great spirit produces great results. Built with a love for distilling, a flair for the extraordinary and a fearless creativity, 3 Howls’ spirits stand out above the rest and will always leave you howling for more. Their mission is to create exceptional handcrafted spirits with their own specific Northwest flavor and flair for a uniquely Northwest experience.