Sips & Sites & Bites

There’s a spirit coming off the mighty Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Well, spirits actually.

Using the freshest local ingredients, Rediviva Distilling is bringing the taste with its higher proof brandies and liqueurs.

The new distiller, located in the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia River in Washougal, Washington, has spirits that are making sippers and bartenders alike sing.

Rediviva Distilling was built in a “rejuvenated” building just beside the Columbia River that once housed a silica rod manufacturer. In fact, they’re located in the very place that Lewis and Clark camped just before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

That Columbia River history connection doesn’t stop there. The distiller is actually named for the first ship that set sail up the river … the Columbia … which gave the body of water its name. After the big ship was damaged, it was given the new name of Columbia Rediviva (rejuvenated). It then went on to circumnavigate the globe. 

Daniel Ruiz, master distiller for Rediviva, said they hope to have their spirits and liqueurs circle the globe as well.

The distiller noted that they look to capture the essence of Washington agriculture and produce traditional spirits and new innovative products.

Using fresh fruit from the Pacific Northwest, those that sip or make cocktails will taste the simple handcrafted spirits born from their single batch pot distillation.

Their flagship offering is a Blue Plum Brandy, made using traditional Eastern European methods that date back centuries. For this spirit, local blue plums are harvested at the peak of ripeness to capture the aroma and essence of the fruit. It’s then fermented and distilled in a single batch pot with a copper column. The result is a crystal clear Blue Plum Brandy.

Interestingly, Ruiz made a version of this brandy on the hit TV show “Moonshiners: Master Distiller,” during a competition. 

The 80-proof brandy is perfect to sip chilled or mix in a Plum Brandy Sidecar cocktail.

In addition, Rediviva’s Orange Liqueur is also a mixer’s dream. It comes with a punch, 79.56 proof, and is made from Washington wine distilled down to brandy, which then macerates three different varieties of dried orange peels to bring out the citrus magic. That orange maceration is distilled again to a clear, aromatic spirit. The liqueur blends well with fresh ingredients, and is perfect for a margarita, sidecar or a cosmopolitan.

One of their most stunning spirits is their Blackberry Basil Liqueur. At 40 proof, it’s a fantastic, deeply flavored sipper. It’s well balanced and makes a great addition in a sparkling wine.

Rediviva will soon have a cherry liqueur, Kirschwasser, made from fresh Bing cherries picked in nearby Hood River. And that will usher in a fantastic new spirit, a cherry almond liqueur, that’s sure to tickle the palate. They are experimenting with barrel aging spirits and are looking toward the many fruit and flavor combinations to boost their spirit lineup.

“Our spirits will reflect the essence and character of a diverse and productive land,” Ruiz said.

To find out more information or to get a bottle, check out https://rediviva-distilling.myshopify.com. Or email them at hello@redivivadistilling.com.