Notes from Abiqua

The Journal is where we write about the things worth writing down. The cocktails that matter to us, where they came from, and why they still land when they land. The places that gave us our name and our water. The small, specific choices behind the work we do at Abiqua Spirit Distillery in Silverton, Oregon. After ten years in this trade, we've learned the drinks worth writing about are the ones you can find a story for, and in our experience the story is usually more interesting than anyone expects. Each piece is researched and cited. Histories are sourced from the cocktail literature, field guides, bartender accounts, and occasionally from an uncle who was in cahoots with a bartender at a family event. Published Thursdays.

A note on how we work: for the piece on Abiqua Falls, we hiked the trail ourselves before writing a word. For the Cosmopolitan, we tasted through six variations at our own bar before we agreed on the proportions worth recommending. In our experience, that is the only honest way to do it.