History

Reservoir Distillery was established in Richmond, Virginia in 2008 and described as the third distillery outside Kentucky to distill and release bourbon after Prohibition. They express a deep love for Virginia – for the farmers, their grain, the wood varieties used for barrels and the climate that ages the spirits. The goal is to discover and preserve what Virginia tastes like – and according to the site it tastes quite good. The team consists of founder Dave Cuttino, Head Distiller Mary Allison, Barrelman Nick Vaughan, Director of Distillery Education Shelley Sackier, and Events Coordinator Rachel Bolling.

Their philosophy starts with the process: regardless of the factory's method, it ultimately comes down to what lies in each individual barrel. They highlight that their approach has broken rules and created new traditions, but that the core is always the people and the process behind each batch.

The company also highlights community engagement, for example through Alligator Char Society and the Guardian of the Gloves initiative, which supports young fighters through local initiatives in Richmond. The site also notes their role as ambassadors for Virginia grain and local ingredients in partnerships and events.

Production / Manufacturing

Reservoir emphasizes a proven and people-driven approach to the distillation process. They highlight Virginia as a source of grain and raw materials, wood for barrels, and a climate that affects aging.

Virginia Heritage Grain Project

This project, supported by the Virginia Spirits Board Research and Education Grant, investigates historical and heritage grain varieties and their potential in spirits. Project dimensions are: - Locating heritage grain varieties through seed savers, historical institutions and USDA germplasm. - Field studies with Virginia Tech and private farms to plant, harvest and collect data, and subsequently advance the most promising varieties for distillation and aging. - Analysis of the distillate in collaboration with the James B. Beam Institute at the University of Kentucky, where varieties with positive sensory evaluations are expanded and tracked through aging.

Development of the project describes progress from Fall 2023 to preparations in 2025, including planting many wheat/rye/barley varieties and the first full production distillation rounds, aged in roughly 53-gallon barrels and built up into a distillery-building program.

Partnerships and Responsibility

They also highlight the importance of strengthening agriculture and the local ecosystem by diversifying crops and promoting soil- and environmentally-friendly practices – especially in light of climate trends, and how heritage grains can add unique flavors and local economic strength.

Products / Whisky Series

Founding Bottles (100% Founding Grain Series)

• Wheat (100% wheat mash bill): Soft and buttery spirit with notes of port, oak, honey and caramel; a smooth mouthfeel and a finish of orange zest and floral aromas.
• Bourbon (100% corn mash bill): Classic balance of sweetness and character, notes of vanilla, wood and coffee; finish with tobacco and cherry.
• Rye (100% rye mash bill): Intense spicy profile with honey and crème brûlée, a spicy aftertaste with cola and simple syrup in the finish.

Hunter & Scott Series

• Bourbon: A blend of Reservoir's single grain whiskies with Kentucky/Indiana whiskies – a bourbon with complex body and weight.
• Rye: Rye-based, aimed at versatile use in cocktails and as a sipper.

Holland’s Series

• Holland's Ghost: 70% corn, 15% wheat, 15% rye, aged in small barrels and finished in stout barrels, bottled at 107 proof.
• Holland's Blade Rummer: Mash bill 15% wheat, 70% corn, 15% rye, aged in quarter-casks and finished in rum casks, also 107 proof.
• Holland's Milkman: 15% wheat, 70% corn, 15% rye, aged in quarter-casks and finished in milk stout cask, 107 proof.

Limited Time Offerings & Collaborations

• Maison de Cuivre: Flagship bourbon – 100% corn, finish in Burgundy Grand Cru cask; annual small batches with wine finishes.
• Cognac Cask Experience: Fully matured wheated rye whiskey finished in Cognac casks (François Voyer); notes of orange zest, honey and vanilla.
• Distillery Release Only: Unique blend of three small barrels (wheat, corn, rye) from the distillation – available only in special batches via the distillate or Virginia-only shop.
• Grey Ghost BIB: 100% Virginia rye, aged in Gibb barrels and labeled as Bonded 4-year whiskey.
• Evil100: Special bottling in collaboration with Jens Pulver, 100-proof powerful whiskey.

Other

• Maison de Cuivre and Cognac finish products (Cognac Finish tasting notes and information sheet).
• Custom / Bespoke programs: Etching, Mash Bill tailored blends and Private Selection program – customized labels and cask selection.

Visit / Experiences

• Tasting Room and address: 1800 A Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230. Door-to-bar access and the possibility for bottle purchase.
• Hours: Monday–Saturday 13:00–21:00; Sunday 13:00–18:00. Tasting room updated regularly via their site.
• COVID-19 notes: Tasting hours are temporarily not active; focus is on bottle sales and to-go cocktails. Tours can be arranged by appointment.
• Events: Events calendar and various happenings near you.

Philosophy

• Reservoir emphasizes the process and the importance of people in the distilling culture. They claim that their methods later create new traditions, but the core is always the people and the process behind each barrel.
• They love Virginia and its ingredients, farmers and soil health, and they actively work with heritage grain (Virginia Heritage Grain Project) to preserve old flavor profiles and support the local community.
• They see the future as a movement-driven partnership, where a farmer and a distillery collaborate on a single heritage grain – with consistent packaging and storytelling on every bottle. They also highlight social responsibility via Guardian of the Gloves and other supporting initiatives.