We arrived into Ketchikan in the late morning. However, before we went on our shore excursion, we enjoyed a couple’s massage courtesy of Alan’s daughter Lauren. It was a thank you to us for helping when baby Olive was born. It was super appreciated, with both of us feeling amazing at the conclusion of the massage. Afterwards we went to the Uncharted Alaska Distillery for a tour, learned how they created their spirits, followed by a unique opportunity to infuse our own alcohol. The co-owners are a retired Ketchikan fire chief and retired Ketchikan police chief, but young!! They retired after twenty years to start the second chapters of their lives. At the conclusion of our time at the distillery we opted to walk about town rather than do another excursion.
Upon disembarking the ship, we saw this monument called “The Rock.” It is a tip of the hat to Ketchikan's heritage, that tells the story of how Alaska's First City came to be. Six of the seven figures on the sculpture represents a prominent archetype in the city's history—a fisherman, a minor, a logger, a bush pilot, a frontierswoman, a Native drummer. The seventh represents an actual historical figure—Chief Johnson, a Tlingit who stands on top of The Rock.
Outside of the distillery - and yes the building used to be a fire station. The engines and equipment outgrew the facility leaving a perfect opportunity for clever entrepreneurs.
The still for fermentation.
More equipment in the process; the bottles of liquor on the shelf held various alcohols for us to try. The kelp vodka was tasty and smooth; a one-of-a-kind vodka. Alan and I both liked it. We also had a sneak preview of their rye, however they were planning to continue aging it in barrels for a bit longer.
Just before adding the dry botanicals, Alan had oak smoke added to his bottle.
My ingredients, along with orange peel, to be added to the base whiskey.
Our two bottles corked and sealed…and confiscated as we boarded our ship. They were returned at the end of the cruise to allow packing into luggage. The cruise line is strict about controlling “outside” alcohol consumed while cruising.
Two of the over eighty totem poles located throughout greater Ketchikan.
A fish ladder for salmon located near downtown Ketchikan.
Scenes from the stroll around town.