Portland has a ton of distilleries scattered near the Downtown area. This group of distilleries is known as Distillery Row and makes up some of the best distilleries in Portland. When spending time in Portland, visiting the wide variety of distilleries is worth adding to your list of things to do or as a stop after eating at one of the most delicious places in Portland.
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Where to Stay in Portland
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Portland hotels here! Also, check out this post with some of my favorite Portland hotels.
The following are some of the best hotels in Portland. *means it is one of my favorites!
- Hilton Portland Downtown
- The Duniway Portland*
- Hyatt Centric Downtown*
- AC Marriott Portland Downtown*
- Moxy Portland Downtown
- Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
- Home2Suites Portland Airport
- Residence Inn Portland Airport
- Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station
- Hampton Inn Portland East
Distillery Row Passport
Visitors can get a passport good at 12 different distilleries in the area. The Distillery Passport costs $25 and is good for two years. If you plan on visiting a couple of distilleries it is worth the investment. There are even prizes once you get halfway through and when you finish. Each distillery offers a different deal with the passport.
The following are some of the fantastic distilleries you can taste at and included on the Distillery Row Passport.
Best Distilleries in Portland
Aimsir Distilling Company
Cost: $5 tasting flight
Hours: Sun, Wed-Thus: 4pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 4pm-10pm
Favorite Spirit: Aitil House Gin
Aimsir Distilling Company began in 2016, but the gorgeous tasting Green Room did not open until 2020. It plays on their Irish heritage and offers a couple of gins, aquafit, and bourbon.
At the tasting room, visitors can do several different tasting flights or opt to have one of the many cocktails on the menu. Make sure to check out their seasonal cocktails as well. A basic tasting is free with the Distillery Row Passport and is one of the best distilleries in Portland.
Aria Portland Dry Gin
Cost: $10 tasting
Hours: 12pm-6pm
Favorite Spirit: Aria Dry Gin
Aria makes a couple of different gins and horseradish vodka. It is one of the best distilleries in Portland. A tasting here includes a cocktail flight of 6 different gin-based drinks. Their gin is a typical dry gin but it is super delicious and very affordable for a bottle. The cocktail flights change each season, so it is worth visiting again even if you have already been. With the Distillery Passport, you get $5 off a tasting.
Bull Run Distillery
Cost: $5-$10 tasting
Hours: Wed-Sun: 12pm-6pm
Favorite Spirit: Pinot Noir Finished American Whiskey
Bull Run makes a lot of different styles of whiskey as well as a couple of rums and other liquors thus making it one of the best distilleries in Portland. A tasting includes 4-5 tastes of your choice. Although not my favorite of the distilleries in Portland, it is fun for people who really enjoy whiskeys and it is a great spot near a lot of restaurants. You get $5 off a flight and a free glass with your tasting passport.
503 Distilling and Cocktails
Cost: $
Hours: Thurs-Sat: 4pm-10pm, Sun: 1pm-7pm
Favorite Spirit: Circa 17 Gin
503 is one of the most fun distilleries in Portland for those who like mixed cocktails. It is named after the 503 Portland area code and they have some fun creations. It can be a bit of a maze finding this place in the building they are in, but the distillery had a fun vibe with live music.
While they make their own spirits, they typically have a flight of cocktails to choose from. You can find their canned cocktails in the grocery store if you are unable to make the trek to the distillery. You get $5 off a tasting with your passport.
Freeland Spirits
Cost: $10-$20 tasting
Hours: 12pm-6pm
Favorite Spirit: Freeland Gin
Freeland is another gin distillery, you can opt to do a tasting flight of the gins or you can get a mini cocktail flight. They also make one bourbon as well but are more known for their gin in cool-looking bottles. The unique thing about Freeland Spirits is they are a women-owned company thus making it one of the best distilleries in Portland. You get $5 off a tasting with your distillery row passport.
New Deal Distillery
Cost: Free
Hours: Wed-Sun: 12pm-6pm
Favorite Spirit: Portland Dry Gin 33
New Deal produces a wide variety of hard alcohol. From gin to vodka, whiskey, and unique liquors, New Deal has something for everyone. While they do not do a specific tasting here, you are allowed to sample a couple of their spirits prior to buying them, which is different than all other of the best distilleries in Portland. Your passport will get you 25% off whatever you buy here.
Pilot House Distilling
Cost: $10 tasting
Hours: 2pm-9pm
Favorite Spirit: Painted Lady New American Gin
Pilot House Distilling mostly distills vodkas but also has several gin and spirit options as well. They have a fun coffee shop atmosphere and have a build your own flight option where you choose three spirits to taste. You can get $5 off a tasting with your Distillery Row Passport.
Rolling River Spirits
Cost: $7-$10
Hours: Wed-Fri: 1pm-5:30pm, Sat: 1pm-5pm
Favorite Spirit: Ole Bjorkevoll Aquavit
Although no longer part of the Distillery Row Passport, Rolling River Spirits produces vodkas and aquavits in various styles and flavors. It is a smaller facility but there are some fun choices! It is worth visiting to try out some unique liquors that are different from the other distilleries in Portland. Right now they are temporarily closed, but you normally get a free tasting with your passport.
Straightaway Cocktail Company
Cost: $10+
Hours: Mon-Wed: 11am-6pm, Thurs: 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat: 11am-8pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Favorite Spirit: Vermouth
Straightaway Cocktail Company is definitely one of the more unique Portland distilleries. This distillery specializes in pre-mixed cocktails. It is one of my favorite distilleries in Portland.
When visiting you can opt to do a cocktail flight, a spritz flight, or a liquor flight. They also serve some full-sized cocktails. If you get hungry, they serve a few snacks and hot dogs. With the Distillery Row passport, you get a free full-size spritz.
Shine Distillery
Cost: $10 tasting
Hours: Wed-Fri: 4pm-10pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-10pm
Favorite Spirit: Batch One Gin
Shine Distillery is both a restaurant and a bar and is LGBTQ-owned, so it is a fun place to grab a meal. They opened in 2019 and have grown a bit since then. With your distillery passport, you get a free appetizer and a 2-for-1 tasting flight. At Shine, they have a couple of gins, vodkas, agave, and one whiskey.
Stone Barn Brandyworks
Cost: $15 tasting
Hours: By Appointment Only
Favorite Spirit: Apple Brandy or Pomme
Stone Barn Brandyworks was the most unique of the distilleries in Portland. Started in 2009, it is run by a husband and wife team who love brandy. With your tasting passport, you get an extra pour.
In order to visit you have to make an appointment and they only have outdoor seating. Here they make a ton of different brandies and similar liquors. They also make a couple of whiskeys. The selections continuously change so it will definitely leave you wanting another visit.
Wild Roots
Cost: $10+
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 11am-6pm
Favorite Spirit: Cucumber and Grapefruit Gin
Wild Roots is known for its infused spirits, primarily vodka. They use at least a pound of real fruit in the making of each of their spirits. Visitors can opt to get a flight of 5 tastes for $10, add in a mini cocktail, or opt for a cocktail flight. Your passport gets you a free mini cocktail. I thought Wild Roots was one of the best distilleries in Portland.
Westward Whiskey
Cost: $20 tasting
Hours: Thurs-Mon: 12pm-7pm
Favorite Spirit: Westward American Single Malt Pinot Noir Cask
Westward Whiskey is one of the OG distilleries in Portland. Once known as House Spirits, the company sold and expanded, it became renamed after its popular whiskey: Westward Whiskey. They make four main whiskeys and then have limited editions for those who are a part of the whiskey club. With your distillery passport, you get $5 off a tasting.
Bonus Stop: Multnomah Whiskey Library
Although not exactly a distillery in Portland, the Multnomah Whiskey Library is a fun stop for whiskey lovers. This member’s-only lounge has over 2,000 whiskeys to choose from or you can opt to grab a whiskey cocktail.
If you are not a member, you can still get in by buying a hall pass for $25 per person. Visitors can also try to walk in and see if there is space.
Favorite Distillery Options
If you are limited on time, the following are my favorite options of distilleries to visit in Portland.
- Best Atmosphere: Aimsir Distilling
- Best Spirits: Stone Barn Brandyworks
- Friendliest Staff: Straightaway Cocktails
- For Gin Lovers: Aria Portland Dry Gin
- For Whiskey Lovers: Westward Whiskey
- For Fruity Spirits: Wild Roots
The Best Distilleries in Portland
There are so many of the best distilleries in Portland to visit during your trip. Other distilleries in the Portland area include Rose City Distilling and Vinn Distilling. Getting the distillery passport was a fun way to get discounts and try out different places. Portland also has a ton of breweries and is near the Willamette Valley wine region if you prefer other beverages. A lot of the local bars also use liquors from the Portland distilleries.
