Time for a flight
Killdeer Distilling Company spreads its wings to Newport
By Elizabeth Scott Ulmer
For the TODAY
Colin Fisher and his wife Kate Coulter established Killdeer Distilling in 2015 when they purchased the ‘70s-style pole barn in the Willamette Valley that was to become their distillery. They now have two locations: the original site in Newberg and the recent addition of a satellite tasting room in Newport’s Nye Beach. Their story includes ousting sheep from the barn to turn it into a production facility and tasting room. The couple named the distillery after the killdeer, a type of plover that nests on their eight-acre property.
“I had a regular job, but got laid off and it was the perfect opportunity for me to take my long-time hobby of making whiskey and gin and turn it into a family business,” Fisher said.
The whole family was involved every step of the way. Fisher built the tasting room and production facility from the ground up and the family helped install the 350-gallon still and boiler. Their farm includes chickens, sheep, dogs and the ever-present distillery cats Ichi and Finkle.
“We officially opened in 2020, once I finished building the tasting room,” Fisher said. “It is about twice the size as the Nye Beach satellite building.”
Fisher loves when patrons step through the door and experience Killdeer’s spirits for the first time.
“Our products are all single-barrel, and never chill-filtered,” he said. “Many of the barrels are custom charred and our whiskeys, brandies and gins are created with a strong profile and fewer ingredients.”
All of Killdeer’s products are distilled and bottled in their Newberg location. Because the bourbon and rye are single barrel, every bottling shows a different profile.
“One-offs are not uncommon and this keeps things interesting and fresh,” Fisher said.
Fisher has been thrilled at the social aspect of his tasting rooms, and sees the Nye Beach location as a way to build community and on-going relationships with customers.
“At the 300-square foot Nye Beach tasting room our clientele is a great mix of locals who frequent all year long, exploring tourists and returning out-of-towners from Portland, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and Washington,” he said.
Killdeer’s Espresso and Vanilla Bean Liqueur is very popular as are the gins. Fisher and Coulter approach the gin profile with a “less is more” philosophy.
“I cannot count how many people have told me they do not like gin but then buy our gin,” Fisher said.
Their traditional gin showcases a grapefruit and orange peel profile, while their Fir Tip Gin is made from fir tips harvested on their Newberg property every spring.
“In general, our passers-by are intrigued by the quality that we have to offer,” Fisher said.
The Nye Beach tasting room is the perfect atmosphere to try the ever-rotating lineup of Killdeer spirits. The intimate space has an eclectic charm, eliciting a welcoming vibe that leaves one wanting to learn and experience more. Besides the distinctive spirits, there are branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, drinking glasses and more. There are even mixers ready for blending with Killdeer’s spirits.
At Killdeer Distilling Co. in Nye Beach, the appeal extends beyond the spirits themselves. Behind the understated storefront, visitors will find a carefully curated tasting experience, distinctive offerings and the story of a family business. Whether sampling the lineup or taking a bottle home, guests gain insight into the people and effort behind the distillery. That combination of craft, community and lack of predictability helps explain why owner Fisher says, “No two days are the same.”
Killdeer Distilling in Nye Beach is located at 881 NW Beach Drive in Newport and is open Thursday from noon to 5 pm; Friday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information, go to killdeerdistilling.com.