3 HOWLS
DISTILLERY W R I T T E N BY AMBE R G. CH RIS T E N S E N -SM ITH
THE URBAN ROUTE A raw, untouched canvas can be a delightful thing. Each time they begin a new work, artists are excited by the newness of the project and the blank slate that sits before them. Often, they are unsure what direction they will take, but the joy of diving in and not having any inhibitions holding them back, makes it a risky and enticing prospect. Will Maschmeier, founder of 3 Howls Distilling in Seattle, Washington, is a distiller that began with one of these blank slates.
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PHO TO G R APHY B Y AM AND A JO Y CHR ISTENS EN
His story is not of ancestors, age-old recipes, or historical buildings previously used for spirit making. In fact, he had no experience or history with distilling at all prior to his founding of 3 Howls. “I try to market us as an independent distillery that hand crafts products,” says Maschmeier. Instead of relying on a storyline about lineage, he truly believes in focusing on quality of products and marketing. Maschmeier and his co-founder, Craig Phalen, have dove into distilling spirits—blank canvas and all—and are finding joy and success regardless of their backgrounds. WWW.ARTISANSPIRITMAG.COM