Doc Swinson’s has transformed from an underground cult favorite into one of America’s most decorated whiskey brands. Now the Pacific Northwest producer takes its next major step by opening The Barrel Lab, its first public tasting room, in Ferndale, Washington.
The tasting room opens June 5 and represents a significant shift for the brand. Doc Swinson’s has earned recognition from industry professionals and collectors across 22 states, but this marks the first time casual whiskey enthusiasts can experience the brand directly at its source.
Doc Swinson’s The Barrel Lab
Tasting rooms serve as crucial bridges between premium whiskey brands and everyday consumers. Many award-winning expressions remain hidden behind high price points and limited distribution. The Barrel Lab changes this dynamic by offering guided tastings and educational experiences that make complex whiskey accessible.
Visitors can explore Doc Swinson’s innovative finishing techniques firsthand. The brand sources exceptional American whiskeys, then finishes and blends them using rare casks from around the world. Caribbean rum barrels, Oloroso sherry casks, and Cognac barrels create the complex profiles that have earned the brand over 100 accolades.
The facility operates as both a working whiskey lab and an immersive tasting room. Walk-in tastings run Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 PM and Saturdays from 12-4 PM. Private tastings and behind-the-scenes tours are available by appointment.
Doc Swinson’s Gains Momentum
Doc Swinson’s recent success validates the growing appetite for innovative American whiskey. The brand earned Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, a distinction shared by only two other Pacific Northwest whiskey brands. The ASCOTs also named Doc Swinson’s National Independent Bottler of the Year in both 2022 and 2024.
At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the brand has collected eight Double Gold medals. Its French Toasted expression received a Platinum medal, reserved for whiskeys achieving Double Gold three consecutive years. The experimental Golden Hour release ranked among the world’s top five finished whiskeys.
“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.”
Pacific Northwest Advantage
The unique climate of Ferndale, Washington, contributes to Doc Swinson’s distinctive character. The misty maritime environment creates slower, more nuanced aging similar to coastal Scotland. This natural advantage combines with the brand’s experimental approach to finishing and blending.
Jesse Parker, Doc Swinson’s Master Blender, said of his approach to blending: 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.’”
Doc Swinson’s Lineup
Founded in 2017, Doc Swinson’s began when a small team discovered forgotten bourbon barrels and reimagined their potential. Rather than distilling from scratch, the brand takes a chef’s approach to whiskey making. This philosophy emphasises curiosity and experimentation over traditional methods.
Doc Swinson’s core lineup features the award-winning Triple Cask Bourbon and Session Blend, complemented by limited releases from the Exploratory Cask Series. The brand distributes across 22 states, throughout Canada, and online in select US markets.
The Barrel Lab represents more than a tasting room opening. It signals the democratisation of premium whiskey, making award-winning expressions accessible to curious drinkers alongside serious collectors.
Visit The Barrel Lab at 1370 Commerce Place, Ferndale, WA beginning June 5.
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