This summer’s blackberry stock on South Whidbey has been abundant, and Whidbey Island Distillery is aiming to take advantage of it.

The distillery is going to make a “community batch” of blackberry liquor of blackberries picked by the public. Anyone who wants to contribute can drop off their hand-picked berries during regular business hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the end of the berry season.

A portion of the proceeds from the batch will go to local charities and nonprofits that will be selected later. The distillery wanted to hear feedback from the berry donors before selecting a charity to donate to.

Whidbey Island Distillery typically sources their fruit from Graysmarsh Berry Farm in Sequim and uses diamond blackberries for their blackberry liquor. General Manager of Whidbey Island Distillery Mike Huffman says the blackberries on South Whidbey are a different variety from those found in Sequim, so this batch will have a different taste. Huffman says the distillery has never infused their liquors with the local blackberry variety.

“I think it’ll have a unique flavor using these local berries,” Huffman said. “Until we make it and taste it, we won’t know what the difference will be, but that’s what’s fun about the process.”

A batch takes about eight months to distill and will be ready in the spring. An official release will be announced upon completion. Whidbey Island Distillery typically uses 200 pounds of fruit in a single batch of liquor, but Huffman says the distillers will use whatever South Enders are willing to donate. Contact the distillery at (360) 321-4715 for more information.