Julia and Alan Scott opened the doors of Waterpocket Distillery in 2017 in West Valley. While the distillery makes award-winning gin, rum, and some whiskey under the Robbers Roost label
“We focus a lot on botanical spirits, and we have a grain-to-glass plum brandy,” explains Alan.
The desire to craft historical adaptations of botanical spirits mostly unknown to the United States comes from the couple living overseas in Spain, Hungary, Slovakia and China, and their vision to introduce Utah to these exotic flavors.
The distillery’s Mueller-crafted, steam-energized double pot still system is the heart of Waterpocket. Their small-pot still named Warlock, distills the botanical liqueurs, gin and small batch products, while Witch, the large-pot still, produces the highly concentrated rum and fermented products.
Julia’s work as a chemical engineer with a PhD in biochemistry, paired with Alan’s passion for fermentation, brings a harmonious blend of technical and creative skills to the business.
“I’m proud of pretty much everything that we make,” says Alan. “I’m very proud of our gin, which has won a double gold medal at one of the most difficult contests in the nation — the San Francisco World Spirits Awards.”
Contemplating his interactions with the DABC, he muses, “I would appoint someone to interface with local breweries and distilleries and wineries, and that would be their only job.”
Waterpocket Distillery is located at 2084 W 2200 S, West Valley City, UT