If you’re searching for a truly unique Ketchikan cruise port excursion when your cruise ship ports in Ketchikan, you’ve come to the right place! We discovered one of the most memorable cruise experiences we’ve ever had in Alaska. And we’re providing This Cruise Life readers a big discount.
Last summer, we Googled “things to do in Ketchikan Alaska” and got the typical souvenir shops and restaurants. But we wanted something different.
That’s when we stumbled upon Uncharted Alaska Distillery. After watching the salmon swim up stream and checking out the Dolly’s House Museum, we wandered over to Uncharted Alaska to grab a drink. We got to sample a couple of the locally distilled spirits before ordering and it was love at first sip!
This year, on our trip back to Ketchikan, we decided to book the new “bottle-your-own-spirit” class they just launched. At Uncharted Alaska Distillery, you can actually create and bottle your own custom spirit!
Located just a short distance from the cruise ships, the Uncharted Alaska Distillery experience combines Ketchikan history, plenty of tastings of craft spirits, and hands-on creativity. It was an experience that both Rocky and I absolutely loved.
Keep scrolling to receive a 20% discount just for being a This Cruise Life reader!
A Distillery Experience Unlike Anything We’ve Done
Before we started crafting our own bottles, we learned about the history of Ketchikan, the story behind Uncharted Alaska Distillery, and the art and science of distilling. Maybe most importantly, we got to taste about a dozen product samples. You know, to appreciate what we were learning about. It was interesting, and it helped us better understand what goes into creating a great spirit.
But the real fun began when it was time to create our own custom bottles!
Design Your Own Flavor
The possibilities at Uncharted Alaska seem endless. But don’t worry, there are friendly guides that will help you pick the best ingredients for the spirt you choose to bottle. You can pick from around 40 different ingredients (spices, herbs, botanicals, colors, and more) to create a one-of-a-kind infusion. There are even adventurous choices like GHOST PEPPER!
My custom creation included:
- Angelica Root (carrot family, so it’s healthy!)
- Rosemary
- Star anise
- Walnut smoke
- Glitter blue
- Ghost Pepper
Each ingredient is carefully weighed out, allowing you to build a recipe that’s completely your own. You can also choose whether you’d like your bottle smoked, which adds another layer of flavor and creates an unforgettable aroma.
Choose Your Base Spirit
Once you’ve added your dry ingredients and optionally smoked the bottle (about a dozen smokes to choose from!), you finally select your spirit of choice.
- Whiskey
- Gin
- Vodka
- Agave spirit
After adding the spirit, your bottle is officially underway, but you’re not done yet!
Label Your Own Bottle
One of our favorite touches was receiving a recipe card to record every ingredient we selected. That way, if you create something amazing, you’ll know exactly what’s in the bottle. You also receive a custom label to fill out and place on the bottle, making the finished product feel incredibly personal. It truly becomes your own creation.
Bringing Your Creation Onboard the Cruise Ship
As you probably know, cruise lines frown upon cruisers bringing their own alcohol on board. But don’t worry, Uncharted Alaska Distillery helps you with the process. They give you bubble wrap for the bottle and a bag that you can check when you board the cruise ship. As you go through security, they’ll direct you to the “liquor collection” table where they’ll label your package and give you a receipt. At the end of your cruise, you’ll get the bottle delivered to your stateroom to pack into your suitcase to take home.
Rocky and I HIGHLY recommend investing in a pack of Wine Diapers to help with the transport home. These protectant sleeves have a super-absorbent padding that helps protect the bottle. In the event that a bottle were to break, the padding absorbs all of the liquid and prevents all of your clothes from turning glitter-blue. Thankfully, after 98 cruises traveling with Wine Diapers, I’ve never had a bottle break!
The Hardest Part? Waiting Two Weeks
Once you’re done, the hardest part is waiting. Uncharted Alaska recommends waiting two full weeks to allow the spirit to infuse with your custom flavors before enjoying. Yes, patience is required, but it’s all part of the process as the flavors come together.
Needless to say, we’re excited to see how our creations turn out, and we’ll be sharing an unveiling video on our YouTube channel once they’re ready. We’ll add that video here when it’s available.
Is Uncharted Alaska Distillery Worth It?
Without question. This is one of the most memorable excursions we’ve done across all of our cruises. We got to learn about the distilling process and some Ketchikan history before we got to the fun and interactive bottling experience.
Plus, we left with more than just memories. We left with bottles that tell a story.
Whether you’re a whiskey lover, a gin enthusiast, or simply looking for something different in Ketchikan, Uncharted Alaska Distillery offers an experience that stands apart from the usual shore excursions.
I mean, come on… Imagine the surprise and delight you’ll create bringing back a CUSTOM-CREATED bottle of spirits as a gift versus that same old Alaska t-shirt from one of a thousand giftshops. And if you don’t want to give the bottle you create as part of the class away, you can purchase and customize additional bottles.
How to Book with a 20% Discount
If you’ve gotten this far, you’re likely ready to book. Good news, the booking process is super simple. Head over to their tour booking website and complete the required information.
As an exclusive gift for This Cruise Life Readers, Uncharted Alaska is providing a super generous 20% discount on the excursion just by using the promo code thiscruiselife!
Thank you to our friends at Uncharted Alaska Distillery for their generosity. We’re excited to help spread to word about this unique experience with fellow cruisers.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of things to do in Ketchikan Alaska, but few are as memorable as creating your own spirit at Uncharted Alaska Distillery. From learning about the distilling process to selecting ingredients and labeling your own bottle, every step made this experience feel special.
If you’re looking for a Ketchikan cruise port excursion, this is it. Honestly, both Rocky and I walked away saying the same thing: “This was one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever done.”
And that’s saying something after more than 150 combined cruises.