Woodinville Whiskey Co.
Season 2 • Episode 3
Design vs. Build: The Series
Woodinville, WA / Quincy, WA
In 2009, Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen took a lengthy business plan plus a small business loan and started Woodinville Whiskey Co. The challenge was to create a better bourbon outside of Kentucky. Now, they are distributed across the country and have received countless awards and accolades. This episode explores what makes WWCo. different, and how Graham Baba Architects was able to embrace site constraints and budget and deliver well-designed, elegant buildings.
Design & Construction Credits
Founders: Brett Carlile & Orlin Sorensen
Architect: Graham Baba Architects
Contractors: Cameron Macallister (Distillery), Rimmer & Roeter (Warehouses)
Production Credits
Production Company: Pearl MF
Host & Producer: Ben Roberts
Director: James Burniston
Editor: James Burniston, Ian West, Mack Gayle, Austin Travis, Samantha McDanel
Color: Cory Berendzen of TBD Post
Post Production Sound: Drew Griffith
Camera Team: James Burniston, Sharayah Kurowski, Austin Travis, Jose Griego, Brandon Robison
Photography: Kristian Alveo
Graphic Design: Kristian Alveo, Eli Ramirez
Distillation Animation: Nathan Mileur
Composite: Robbie Dantzler
Patron Voiceover & Ben Stand In: Brandon Robison
Additional Photos/Drawings Courtesy of Graham Baba Architects, Woodinville Whisky Co.
Additional Video/Stock Footage Supplied by Pond 5/Film Supply, Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
Special Thanks to Woodinville Whiskey Co., Graham Baba Architects, Brett Carlile, Orlin Sorensen, Jim Graham, Susan Tillack
People
History & Vision
Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen founded Woodinville Whiskey Co. in Washington state in 2009 to create high-quality bourbon. They faced risks when applying for a small-business loan, knowing whiskey production wouldn’t be profitable for years. A local bank, experienced with wineries, believed in their plan and supported them. This allowed them to pursue their goal of making whiskey that could surpass Kentucky's offerings.
The Whiskey
After getting a loan, Brett and Orlin needed to learn how to make whiskey. Before the craft movement, bourbon was mostly produced by just a few distilleries over the past century. They sought help from Dave Pickerell, a master distiller who had worked at Maker’s Mark for 14 years and was now consulting. Brett and Orlin convinced him to come to Washington from Kentucky to teach them how to make bourbon. They were ideal students because they had no prior whiskey-making experience. Dave taught them the bourbon-making process without any preconceived notions. They learned the chemistry behind it and how to adjust their mash bills for unique flavors.
Dave advised them to “win their backyard,” and they focused on becoming a local favorite, serving only Washington until 2018. Once they increased production, they expanded to northern California, receiving a positive response in a competitive market. The awards won by Woodinville Whiskey Co. showcase their mastery in the craft. Their innovative approach will keep them distinct as they continue to grow.
Design & Construction Photos
The Distillery & Tasting Room
Woodinville Whiskey Co. began in a small space, producing one barrel of whiskey a day. As production grew, they needed more room. With their bourbon recipe refined and a loan secured, they decided to expand. Brett and Orlin envisioned a new distillery and tasting room, hiring Graham Baba Architects to help. They provided the architects with a book on Kentucky distilleries for inspiration, aiming to blend bourbon history into the design. The architects' main challenge was fitting all the necessary equipment into the new space, which allowed for a sixfold increase in production and required tripled equipment size. Ultimately, the simple, industrial design of the distillery mirrored Woodinville Whiskey Co.’s brand, even appearing on their bottle labels.
The Warehouses
Brett and Orlin needed a place to age their whiskey and found an unexpected solution. They were buying grain from a small farmer, Arnie Omlin, in Quincy, WA, about 166 miles from their distillery in Woodinville. Noticing their lack of barrel-aging space, Arnie offered to build a warehouse on his land. After researching the climate in Quincy compared to Bardstown, KY, they discovered the temperatures were similar, except Quincy is dry while Bardstown is humid. They decided to build one warehouse on Arnie’s property.
The Quincy facility became ideal for Woodinville Whiskey Co.’s barrel aging, quickly filling up, which led to plans for a second warehouse. They brought back Graham Baba to design the warehouses, aiming for an attractive appearance for visitors and passersby, while also ensuring durability. They chose Kebony rainscreen cladding for aesthetics and robustness. The buildings were designed with purpose, featuring a shallow pitch to optimize air interaction with the barrels. The design reflects the Woodinville Whiskey Co. brand, creating a strong sense of unity.
Brett and Orlin chose not to move the distillery to Quincy to avoid altering their product. They have a controlled production process and prefer the conditions in Woodinville. Additionally, a great water source is available nearby. The Woodinville distillery will remain where the whiskey is made, while barreling and bottling will take place in Quincy.