Taste of Tatoosh | Try new bourbon Thursday

On Thursday, Dec. 13, Mercer Islanders can get a taste of something created in part by one of their own.

The Roanoke Inn tavern is hosting a bourbon release event featuring the new Tatoosh Distillery bourbon, the first day that the bourbon is available.

From 5 to 7 p.m. at the Roanoke, Islanders are invited to stop by and give the new bourbon a try. The Islander Pub will also have the liquor available.

One of the distillery co-founders, Mark Simon, lives on Mercer Island and is the CEO of the business.

“Troy Turner and I are old friends and longtime colleagues, so when he offered me this opportunity to get involved, I did,” said Simon.

The distillery, founded by Joe Eliasen and Troy Turner, was born out of the two friends’ family histories of making moonshine. Now instead of hiding their bottles, the company is making them available to everyone.

According to the distillery’s website, “The Pacific Northwest provides ideal conditions for making quality handcrafted spirits; a perfect climate, the purest natural mountain water, locally grown grains, and consumers who are passionate about small-batch artisanal products.”

Naturally, the connection not only to Mercer Island, but moonshine and the legendary history of the Roanoke made the two a perfect fit. The distillery will be offering both bourbon and a single malt whiskey, but only the bourbon will be available at the Roanoke.

Simon said Tatoosh products will be available at local restaurants, such as the Roanoke, the Islanders and likely Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro in the near future. Simon said the goal has been to work with top-notch restaurants that pair well with the products. Tatoosh’s products will also be available at John Howie, the Metropolitan Grill and Canon. Simon said the list will continue to expand after this week’s release.

To learn more about Tatoosh, visit the distillery’s website at www.tatooshdistillery.com.

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Reporter Megan Managan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com or (206) 232-1215 ext. 5054.

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