Swilled Dog
Brief overview of the distillery
Swilled Dog is a West Virginia-based craft brand and distillery based in Upper Tract, born out of a cider project from 2016. They make small-batch bourbons, blended whiskey, gin, and ready-to-drink products with local ingredients and experimental casks. The distillery’s tasting rooms and Whiskey Room are central to the experience, and the proceeds from tastings support local animal-welfare initiatives.
History
The story goes back to 2016, when Brooke and Brad made cider in small batches, planted a cider-specific fruit orchard, and integrated donations as a central part of the business model. In 2017 they bottled WV Scrumpy, began self-distribution, and entered into a distribution agreement with Mountain State Beverage. Gradually the company grew into spirits production; they leased a 20,000 sq ft facility in Upper Tract, opened a tasting room and later a Whiskey Room. Swilled Dog has since won several medals in international competitions, collaborated with Country Roads Trust on 1863 WV Gold, and launched series such as Old Gold & Blue. Management is closely associated with Brooke Glover, who has also received industry recognition.
Raw materials and production
Production centers on small-batch distillation and the use of local ingredients; Swilled Dog uses non-GMO corn from nearby farms. A documented mash bill for their Barrel Strength Bourbon is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The whiskies are aged primarily in American white oak barrels from West Virginia Great Barrel Company, and the company works with both kernel aging and experimental finish processes. Small batches, local sourcing, and collaborations with local cask producers characterize the craft, just as tasting-room activities are integrated into product development.
Maturation and barrel types
Swilled Dog primarily uses American white oak barrels supplied by West Virginia Great Barrel Company for aging. In addition to standard aging, they experiment with sherry cask finishes, double-oaking, and a special maple syrup finish in Pendleton County casks. A number of limited releases have gained extra complexity through these finish choices, and the Old Gold & Blue Series includes a release aged over 5.5 years with a maple syrup finish.
Whiskies
The range spans from core bourbons in small batches to limited special releases and collaboration bottles. Central examples are Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon (high-proof version with a documented mash bill), Double Oaked edition, sherry-finished batches, the blended Take Me Home series, and collaborations such as 1863 WV Gold. Many products are marketed as batch or limited releases and highlight experiments with finishes.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Cask and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon | Straight Bourbon | 58.5 % | American white oak barrel | Barrel Strength is released in 750 ml at 58.5% ABV. The mash bill is documented as 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The release has been awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for two consecutive years; Nose: vanilla, baked cherry cake, ripe dates and brown sugar; Taste: dark brown sugar, vanilla and pie crust with toffee, butterscotch and ripe fruit; notes of milk chocolate and nougat from the wood; Finish: creamy, warm and well-balanced; water highlights the spice. | Core range | |
| Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon (Batch #2) | Bourbon (sherry cask finished) | Sherry cask (finish); finish: Sherry cask finish | Batch #2 is a limited Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon, released in 600 bottles. Sherry finish is used as part of Swilled Dog's experiments with casks. | Limited; Limited batch; 600 bottles | ||
| Double Oaked Straight Bourbon | Straight Bourbon (double oaked) | Double oaked (second maturation); finish: Double oaked maturation | The Double Oaked edition is a special treatment where bourbon undergoes an extra wood maturation; the edition has won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025. | |||
| Take Me Home II | Blended Whiskey | Take Me Home II is listed as the first blended whiskey in the 'Take Me Home' series and represents Swilled Dog's work with blended releases. | ||||
| 1863 WV Gold | Bourbon (limited release); Country Roads Trust collaboration | 1863 WV Gold was the debut release in a collaboration with Country Roads Trust and sold out at launch; it is part of an exclusive bourbon collection. | Limited; Limited release | |||
| Old Gold & Blue Series — maple syrup cask finish | Bourbon (maple syrup cask finish) | Over 5.5 years | Maple syrup cask (finish); finish: Maple syrup cask finish in Pendleton County | Old Gold & Blue Series includes a limited release aged over 5.5 years and finished in a Pendleton County maple syrup cask. | Limited; Limited release |
The whiskies’ style and flavor profile
The overall style leans toward sweet, full-bodied elements: vanilla and brown sugar from American white oak, with prominent toffee- and butterscotch-like notes in Barrel Strength. Sherry-finished editions add dried fruits and a sherry character, while the maple syrup finish brings a direct sugary-sweet dimension. Additionally, chocolate- and nougat-like tones from the wood are noted, and spice often becomes more pronounced when diluting the higher-proof releases.
Visit the distillery
In Upper Tract, Swilled Dog operates a tasting room and a dedicated Whiskey Room where guests can sample products, try cocktails, and experience limited releases. The tasting rooms are an active part of the business and are used for events as well; revenue from tasting experiences and special programs is channeled to local animal welfare and adoption initiatives such as Hampshire County Pet Adoption Program and Pours for Paws.
Philosophy and craft
Swilled Dog combines small-batch craftsmanship with local sourcing and a clear social purpose. They prioritize non-GMO ingredients from local farms, collaborate with local suppliers for casks, and channel part of their efforts and proceeds to animal welfare through Lucy’s Legacy and related programs.
Sustainability
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Using non-GMO corn from local farms.
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Donation programs and partnerships where a portion of sales or tasting-room revenue goes to animal welfare.
Prizes and accolades
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Double Gold (Two-time Double Gold Winner, Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon)
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Gold (2025, Gold, Double Oaked Straight Bourbon)
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Gold (2025, Gold, Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon)
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Gold (Gold, Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon)
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Dave Pickerell Memorial Craft Member of the Year (2024, Awarded to Brooke Glover)
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Bronze (Bronze, Barrel Strength Bourbon)
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Silver (Silver, 1863: The Place I Belong Bourbon)