Small scale , big personalities

BY KYLE SWARTZ

VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS , WINE — AND ALSO WHISKEY .

The state boasts a burgeoning craft distilling industry . Virginia shares a similar climate with its neighbor Kentucky . Its spirits include unique bourbons , ryes , moonshines and American single malts .

Around 70 distilleries now operate in the state . I visited a number during a recent tour hosted by the Virginia Distillers Association .

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY A touch of Scotland in Virginia . Production includes a traditional malt floor and smoking kiln . Opened in 2005 , Copper Fox specializes in fruitwood-smoked rye and American single malt . They steep bags of fruitwood and oak chips in aging stock to intensify flavors .

Copper Fox ’ s two primary products are an applewood-smoked single malt ( SRP : $ 44.99 ), and their rye with fruitwood-smoked barley ($ 44.99 ). Copper Fox is in 15 states and Washington D . C .

VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY Virginia ’ s second-largest distillery ( after Sazerac ’ s A . Smith Bowman Distillery ) will soon become one of the largest producers of American single malt . While their 3,000 + barrels age , Virginia Distillery sources malt whisky from Scotland , which they finish and then mix with their own young stock .

Currently their flagship is a port-finished single malt ($ 57.99 ). Also they offer finishes of chardonnay cask ($ 64.99 ), craft beer barrel ($ 64.99 ) and cider cask ($ 64.99 ).

Virginia Distillery is reminiscent of Wyoming Whiskey : a newer large-scale distillery that ’ s invested proper capital and time . Their fi rst homegrown product , a blend called “ Courage and Conviction ,” remains several years away . The company is in 14 states and Washington D . C .

RESERVOIR DISTILLING As though in Europe , this Richmond distillery ages in casks five or ten gallons ( made of Virginia wood ) rather than 53 gallons . Reservoir works with mash bills of 100 % rye , wheat or corn . They offer 750-ml . bottles of each grain for $ 85 , or $ 43 for a 375-ml .

Reservoir recently raised capital to expand sales and marketing . Opened in 2008 , they ’ re now in 15 states .

CATOCTIN CREEK DISTILLING COMPANY Rather than source rye while their own aged ( in Virginia and Minnesota wood ), Catoctin Creek committed to self-made product . The result is a “ Virginia-style rye ,” says co-owner Scott Harris — different from the traditional MGP-sourced grassy , dill rye . “ Ours is more fruity and nutty ,” Harris explains .

Built in a 1921 Buick dealership , Catoctin Creek opened in 2009 . Distribution reaches 26 states . Their flagship Roundstone Rye ($ 40 ) contains more flavors than you ’ d expect for being 80 proof .

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY Founder Chuck Miller ’ s grandfather was a moonshiner whose bullet-holed 1938 Ford truck remains on this 200-acre rural farm . Miller himself ( pictured above ) is from another era , with a cowboy hat and a million jokes . He received his distilling license in 1989 , the 12th issued in America .

Belmont still makes moonshine . Also : corn whiskey , gin , apple whiskey , rum and bourbon , which altogether distribute in 42 states .

RAGGED BRANCH DISTILLERY Come for the bourbon , stay for the beef . This 92-acre property includes cattle , selling a freshly slaughtered steer ’ s worth of meat weekly from the tasting room . Mountainous views from this rural hillside spot are breathtaking . Ragged Branch feeds whiskey mash to its cattle , closing the loop on this farm distillery .

Opened in 2014 , Ragged Branch offers a four-year-old wheated bourbon ($ 49.99 ) and a high-rye version ($ 49.99 ) about half that age .

KO DISTILLING Their labels bare the likenesses of classic pugilists . The Bareknuckle Whiskey brand includes a wheat ($ 35.99 ), bourbon ($ 39.99 ) and straight rye ($ 45.99 ). As former merchant marines , the founders also launched a line of Battle Standard 142 gins .

You ’ ll find bottles from this distillery , launched in 2015 , in three states and D . C ., as well as on coast guard and navy bases around the DMV area . BD

www . beveragedynamics . com November / December 2018 • Beverage Dynamics 7