Tarnished Truth Distilling Company
About the Distillery
Tarnished Truth Distilling Company is located inside the historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach and is a microdistillery that produces bourbon, high-rye bourbon, gin, vodka and a range of ready-to-drink cocktails in cans. The site highlights its coastal location and has won several medals at the American Distilling Institute. It is also a popular draw with guided tours, an advanced bourbon tasting and a shop where the products are sold.
History
Andrew Yancey began a seven-year research and mentoring program under master distiller Larry Ebersold before he opened Tarnished Truth in 2017. The distillery was set up inside The Cavalier Hotel and quickly established distribution across Virginia, public tours, and an annual Virginia Bourbon Invitational. In 2021 the company won nine medals at ADI, and in 2022 Yancey was named to the Virginia Spirits Board, where he participates in the state's work with development, research and promotion of the spirits industry.
Raw Materials and Production
Notable production features include active outreach through guided tours and tastings, including an Advanced Bourbon Tasting where the entire range is sampled; integrated operations inside a five-star hotel (The Cavalier Hotel); the distillery housed inside The Cavalier Hotel; the founder's seven-year research and mentoring program under master distiller Larry Ebersold; and the development of ready-to-drink cocktails (Coastal Cocktails) as a supplement to the bottle range.
Maturation and Barrel Types
The material documents at least one release with an age statement: 3-Year High Rye Bourbon has a three-year age statement. The site does not specify details about which barrels or which origin of oak are used, but the age statement shows that aging is actively used in selected products.
Whiskies
The portfolio includes bottled bourbon products such as Old Cavalier Bourbon and 3-Year High Rye Bourbon, as well as gin, vodka and a line of ready-to-drink cocktails called Coastal Cocktails. Several of these products have won awards at competitions, and the range is sold in the distillery's shop and through local distribution in Virginia. Tours and tastings are actively used to showcase the range.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Age | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Cavalier Bourbon | Bourbon | Old Cavalier Bourbon is one of the distillery's listed bourbon releases and has been awarded in American Distilling Institute competitions. It is sold in the distillery's shop and via local distribution in Virginia. | Current; Core range; Sold in shop and via distribution in Virginia | |
| 3-Year High Rye Bourbon | Bourbon (High Rye) | 3 Years | 3-Year High Rye Bourbon is explicitly listed with a three-year age statement and received awards at American Distilling Institute, including a silver medal and a bronze for packaging. | Current; Core range; Sold in shop and via distribution in Virginia |
Visit the Distillery
The distillery welcomes the public for guided tours and tastings in the facilities inside The Cavalier Hotel. A standard tour with a selected tasting and an Advanced Bourbon Tasting, where the full range is sampled, are offered. Tour and tasting hours are Thursday–Sunday 14:00–18:00, group size is limited to 12 people, and the shop hours are Tuesday–Saturday 11:00–20:00 and Sunday 11:00–19:00.
The stated opening hours are Retail: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 - 20:00; Sunday 11:00 - 19:00. Tour & Tasting: Thursday - Sunday 14:00 - 18:00. Group size: 12 people per tour.
Philosophy and Craft
Tarnished Truth emphasizes local roots, professional development through mentoring programs, and active outreach. The company combines artisanal development with public offerings and product innovation, including ready-to-drink cocktails, as an integrated part of the business model.
Prizes and Recognitions
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American Distilling Institute - Judging of Craft Spirits (2021, multiple medals (Gold for Old Cavalier Bourbon Cream; Silver for Old Cavalier Bourbon; Silver for 3-Year High Rye Bourbon; Bronze for 3-Year High Rye Bourbon packaging). Coastal Cocktails also received medals.
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American Distilling Institute - International Spirits Competition (2023, three gold medals and four silver medals for bottled spirits and Coastal Cocktails at ADI 2023.)
Latest News
TARNISHED TRUTH, COASTAL COCKTAILS WIN 7 MEDALS AT 2023 INTERNATIONAL SPIRITS COMPETITION – 2023-05-17
Tarnished Truth Distilling Company won three gold and four silver medals at the American Distilling Institute’s 2023 International Spirits Competition.
TARNISHED TRUTH DISTILLING CO.’S ANDREW YANCEY NAMED TO VIRGINIA SPIRITS BOARD – 2022-10-06
Andrew Yancey, founder of Tarnished Truth, was named to the Virginia Spirits Board to contribute to the development and promotion of the spirits industry in the state.
Tarnished Truth takes home NINE awards from American Distilling Institute – 2021-08-25
Tarnished Truth received nine awards in 2021 at the American Distilling Institute’s Judging of Craft Spirits for a range of products including bourbon, vodka, whiskey, gin and the Coastal Cocktails brand extension.