Swimming Horse Distillery awaits city review

Construction on Swimming Horse Distillery, to be located on the corner of First Street East and Hwy. 93 in Polson could begin soon, according to Pat McCarthy, one of the four owners.

Plans for a midsummer opening were disrupted when the previous building was demolished, and workers found two buried fuel tanks. The owners collaborated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on fixing the issue.

McCarthy had kudos for DEQ, and he complimented Water Environmental Technology, which coordinated tank removal.

“They were unbelievable,” McCarthy said. “WET helped us navigate site clean up. It was a success”

The DEQ collected and analyzed samples of the soil, and the business received its final clearance from the DEQ in the first part of January.

“The (building) plans are up for review with the City of Polson,” McCarthy said, explaining that they are making the rounds of the city manager, the planning department, and the fire marshall.

McCarthy says Swimming Horse Distillery will offer gin, vodka, and eventually bourbon, since it’s a longer process. They plan to open in late fall or early winter.

Since the owners wanted to incorporate Wild Horse Island into their business, they chose the name Swimming Horse, drawn from the story of Native Americans swimming horses out to the island to hide them from enemies.