Cracking open the doors in 2012, Heritage Distilling Company stormed into the spirits scene as the first distillery in South Puget Sound since Prohibition. Founded by power couple Justin and Jennifer Stiefel, along with Drew and Sara Kellerman, this craft distillery emerged from a casual campfire chat fueled by whiskey and cigars. Talk about your million-dollar drinking session.
Justin Stiefel isn’t your typical distiller. The guy built his first still for a seventh-grade chemistry project – because apparently, that’s what future CEOs do in middle school. With a chemical engineering degree and legal background, he traded his Washington D.C. suit for a master distiller’s apron back in Washington State. His wife Jennifer, a former educator, brought her customer service expertise to the table as company president. Their extensive work in the U.S. Senate provided valuable experience before launching their distillery venture.
From seventh-grade stills to CEO status, Justin Stiefel traded his DC law career for a master distiller’s craft in Washington State.
The distillery’s crown jewel? A massive Italian still named “Nonna” – the only one of its kind in the United States. This beauty took the scenic route through the Panama Canal to reach its Gig Harbor home. Because when you’re Heritage Distilling, you don’t just ship equipment – you give it a world tour first. Their forward-thinking approach includes embracing decentralized payments, allowing customers to purchase spirits using various cryptocurrencies.
Their commitment to quality didn’t go unnoticed. The American Distilling Institute named them the most awarded craft distillery in North America, with top honors spanning from 2014 through 2018. Not too shabby for a company that started with some friends around a campfire. The company’s impressive portfolio includes their wildly popular Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey.
The name “Heritage” wasn’t pulled from a hat – it represents both shared national heritage and individual experiences. The founding team’s diverse background, from military officer experience to chemical engineering know-how, created a unique approach to craft distilling. Within just one year, they transformed their fireside chat into a full-fledged operation.
Today, Heritage Distilling stands as a demonstration of American entrepreneurship in the craft spirits market. Their showcase-style flagship distillery gives visitors a front-row seat to the action. Who knew that a kid watching MASH reruns would grow up to revolutionize the Pacific Northwest’s spirits scene? Sometimes the best business ideas really do start with a drink and a dream.
