![]() We opened 16 months after we incorporated. “Catoctin Creek distillery in Purcellville was an inspiration to us. Opening a distillery in Virginia is not easy, Riggleman said. Our gin has been compared to Hendricks.” A distiller for rum and absinthe is also contemplated.Ĭhristine, joined by Blake Rhodes, who is in charge of distilling, went to distillery school in Washington State, which has many distilleries in operation. “And we want our vodka to beat Gray Goose. Silverback aims to meet the standard achieved by Maker’s Mark. “We want to have 1,000 barrels aging in the next two years,” said Riggleman. They are about to fill 75 white oak barrels with bourbon that will age for periods of three, five, seven and 10 years. Riggleman said initial annual production should be around 300,000 bottles, but he expects to raise it soon to nearly 700,000 bottles and to reach 1.2 million bottles yearly within five years. They made things there, and we wanted to do that in Virginia.” We went to the Isle of Skye and the Ben Nevis distillery. We thought we could do it all craft and make it work. 151 and there were no distilleries here,” said Denver Riggleman, who owns the distillery with his wife Christine, who is CEO and manages daily operations. Some of the grain spirits are now beginning the aging process to become bourbon. The distillery offers 80-proof vodka named Beringel, 80-proof gin called Strange Monkey and 90-proof grain spirits called Blackback White. New buildings for tasting rooms and spirit storage are underway. 151 in Afton just before Labor Day and has already outgrown its space. Tours and tastings take place Tuesday through Sunday in a brick-lined room featuring a formidable central bar that overlooks the warehouse where the distilling takes place.Silverback Distillery opened on Rt. ![]() Its brandies, made with 100% local fruit, are also superb, including peach, apple and pear spirits––all great on their own or mixed into a cocktail. Its flagship Roundstone, which the distillery calls a “pre-Prohibition” rye, is made of 100% organic rye. The tasting room, open Thursday to Monday, serves craft cocktails using local ingredients and the distillery’s full array of spirits.Ĭatoctin Creek - An hour outside of Washington, D.C., Catoctin Creek is part of the great rye rebirth in American distilling. Blackback honey rye marries amber rye with honey sourced from local farms. Silverback’s Strange Monkey gin wins over the most skeptical drinker with its approachable character. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains make it one of the prettiest Virginia distilleries to visit. Located along Virginia’s Route 151-dubbed Alcohol Alley for its five wineries, three breweries, cidery and distillery-this is one of the state’s hidden gems. Silverback - Come for the large silverback gorilla statue out front, then stay for the delicious spirits. These seven are an excellent way to start your journey through Virginian spirits. Today, there are more than 45 distilleries in the state making some of the country’s best gin, vodka, whiskey and moonshine. American whiskey was born on the shores of Virginia’s James River in 1620, after all, investing the commonwealth with a rich distilling heritage that is holding strong. ![]() Virginia’s wine scene is getting a lot of attention these days, but the state’s distilleries shine bright, too. Visit these Virginia distilleries for a real taste of history. feature story on 7 great Virginia Distillers, including 2 makers of Virginia Rye Whiskey, Silverback and Catoctin Creek.
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