Local rye
Grown for us by TeVelde Farm in Whatcom County.
Distilling in Bellingham since 2011
An old-world legend.
A Pacific Northwest spirit.
Krampus is made by real people, with real ingredients, inside one of Washington’s early craft distilleries.
Begin the story ↓2011Chuckanut Bay Distillery founded
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Before the legend entered the bottle
We were distillers first.
Chuckanut Bay Distillery was founded in Bellingham in 2011, during the early years of Washington’s craft-distilling movement. From the beginning, the idea was straightforward: start with excellent ingredients, make spirits with patience, and never disguise shortcuts with a good story.
That foundation—hands-on production, serious liquid and a deep connection to the Pacific Northwest—would eventually give an old Alpine troublemaker a new home.
The legend
Who is Krampus?
In European folklore, Krampus is the dark counterpart to Saint Nick—a horned, mischievous figure who roams snowy streets each December, bells clanging, keeping the naughty in check.
He is centuries of Alpine folklore: theatrical, unruly and impossible to ignore. In 2014, we wondered what that character might taste like.
2014The first small-batch release
The spirit that started it all
Krampus Herbal Liqueur®
We brought the legend to life with roasted hazelnut, raw honey and spice—a bold, warming herbal liqueur built for sipping neat, pouring over ice and mixing into winter cocktails.
What began as a small-batch holiday experiment found its people almost immediately. Bottles sold out. Bartenders began creating with it. Families made it part of their celebrations. A seasonal release became a Pacific Northwest tradition—and eventually, a year-round spirit with a devoted following.
“Hazelnut and cinnamon on the nose with spiced apple pie, honey, cardamom, clove and nutmeg on the palate.USA Spirits Competition · Gold Medal
The rye behind our whiskey
Grown here.
Made here.
TeVelde Farm in Whatcom County grows the rye used in Krampus Bottled-in-Bond Rye. We mash, ferment and distill it in Bellingham—keeping the connection between field, still and bottle close enough to see.
Traditional fermentation
Open wooden washbacks give the process time and character.
Hands-on distilling
Mashed, distilled and matured by our team in downtown Bellingham.
One legend. A growing collection.
The family got bigger.
The original liqueur created a world large enough for more. Alpine Gin brought juniper and mountain botanicals. Coffee Liqueur turned the character darker and richer. Bottled-in-Bond Rye supplied five years of oak, grain and proof. Barrel-Aged Krampus took the original back into bourbon barrels.
Different spirits, made with the same rule: the story may draw you in, but the liquid has to earn its place.
Explore the complete collection →
A tradition takes hold
Krampus in America.
The American Krampus tradition is still young, but it is no longer obscure. Runs, markets, parties and parades are appearing across the country as more people discover a holiday figure with a little more edge.
Last year, more than 50 Seattle bars participated in the Krampus Krawl, each creating its own Krampus cocktail. In Bellingham, our annual Krampus Night brings more than 300 guests together with Krampus Seattle, live music and winter cocktails.
Bartenders, artists, musicians, distillers and families have all helped turn an imported legend into a living American tradition.
50+ Seattle bars last year300+ Krampus Night guests
Explore Krampus traditions across America →See the tradition
Krampus Night
Two nights from our annual celebration at Chuckanut Bay Distillery in Bellingham.
2025
2024
The liquid earns the story
Award-winning by design.
Washington Distillery of the Year
Recognition for the distillery behind every Krampus bottle.
USA Spirits Competition
National recognition for the original Krampus Herbal Liqueur.
Spirits & Distilling
“Both a seasonal draw and a year-round staple.”
Our home
Come see where it’s made.
Krampus is handcrafted inside Chuckanut Bay Distillery’s restored historic building in downtown Bellingham. Taste the spirits, see the working distillery and settle in at the Penny Farthing Bar.
Chuckanut Bay Distillery1311 Cornwall AveBellingham, WA 98225
Real ingredients. Real people.
One very old troublemaker.