For the Reporter

Auburn-based Blackfish Spirits Distillery recently came away with top honors at the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago.

The distillery’s Blackfish Vodka and Gifford’s Gin – both handcrafted products from grain to glass – earned silver medals against hundreds of other spirits in blind testing, according to Bo Jordheim, company spokesman.

“We purchase all of our ingredients in Washington and do every step of the process by hand right up to putting the label on the bottle,” Jordheim said.

Blackfish Spirits Distillery soon be sending its Rye Whiskey and Rhubarb Liqueur to San Diego at a similar international tasting competition.

To learn more about the distillery, visit www.blackfishdistillery.com.