History

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company was founded in 2009 by Becky and Scott Harris and was the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. It is located in Purcellville, Virginia, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley, and Virginia is described as the birthplace of American whiskey. At the distillery they claim to produce Virginia's most award-winning whiskey: Roundstone Rye. The name Catoctin refers to a regional name and the family emphasizes producing high-quality spirits rooted in local farming and terroir. Homegrown figures such as Becky's full name and Scott as GM are highlighted as central figures in the company's identity. Most products are built around a historical lineage of rye whiskey and craft, with emphasis on building the whiskey from grain to bottle, without additives and with consideration for craftsmanship and terroir.

Production / Manufacturing

Catoctin Creek describes their Virginia Rye Whisky as 100% rye, mashed, fermented and distilled on site in copper pot stills. The whiskey is aged in new white oak barrel casks and cooled with natural spring water from Virginia to finish the alcohol prior to bottling. They emphasize local sources for grains and fruits, and describe choosing grains and fruits that are free from pesticides and chemical additives. Their production takes place on site, and they note that they malt and produce with a focus on high quality and purity in every bottle. In addition, sustainability is part of the story: in 2013 they installed a 41 kW solar array, which according to them covered around 85% of the distillery's electricity and was produced in the USA. Furthermore, their approach to being a small, craft distillery is evident through descriptions that mashing, fermenting and distilling take place in Purcellville, Virginia, and that they offer events and experiences surrounding the production.

Products / Whiskey Series

Roundstone Rye® - 80 Proof

Catoctin Creek's most popular whiskey, made entirely from scratch at their own distillery: 100% rye, aged in new, dark and flavorful casks. Described as woody and fruity with caramel and a note of butter caramel and lemon on the nose. Alcohol strength is 40% ABV.

Roundstone Rye® - 92 Proof (Distiller’s Edition)

Becky's selected higher-alcohol edition, based on Roundstone Rye with higher proof to highlight a more intense flavor. Has received high scores and is described as complex and balanced with notes of vanilla, caramel and spices.

Roundstone Rye® - Cask Proof (58.9% ABV) – and variants

The Cask Proof series is particularly strong and known for depth and complexity. Variants include Maple and Hickory finishes, where the whiskey takes on characteristics from the added cask types (more sweetness from maple or smoke from hickory syrup). Tasting notes are described as dark chocolate, leather and tobacco in some of the releases.

Rabble Rouser® Bottled In Bond Rye Whisky

Bottled-in-Bond, aged around six years and distilled at a lower strength than Roundstone to allow earthy and grain-forward notes to show freely. Alcohol strength around 50% ABV. Described as fruity and spicy with notes of oak and honey.

Ragnarök Rye® (Oderus Edition)

A collaboration-inspired expression with GWAR, rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast in 2021, and finished in rum casks for extra complexity. The bottle and label mark a unique edition, and the whiskey retains 100% rye as the base material.

Braddock Oak Rye Whisky

Includes two variants: a single-barrel Rye and a Red Wine Finished Rye, where raisin-like fruit notes and a fruity finish come from Cabernet/Zinfandel/Merlot finishes. 92 proof and recognized by tasting panels such as Wine Enthusiast and San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Finch and Hawk – American Malt Whisky

Malted barley from Loudoun County, malted and distilled and aged entirely in Virginia. A “terroir whiskey” that uses malted barley and later barrel aging in connection with different casks, contributing to fruit, earth and wood notes. This is one of the few malt whiskies from the distillery and demonstrates their ability to produce whiskey from local ingredients.

Hot Honey Rye®

A spicy, sweet and warm addition to the series; 100% rye whiskey blended with three types of honey (wildflower, clover and buckwheat) and chili, giving a distinctly honey-dominated aroma and a gentle warmth on the palate. The product also supports bee conservation through a donation per bottle to bee conservation projects.

In addition, products outside the whisky portfolio are mentioned such as Watershed Gin (and Old Tom version), brandy such as Pearousia Pear Brandy, Short Hill Mountain Peach Brandy and 1757 Virginia Brandy, showing a broad range of the distillery's production. Their approach is described as “from grain to bottle” and emphasizes a holistic production in Virginia.

Visits / Experiences

Visits and Tours

Tastings and tours are part of the experience at Catoctin Creek. A tasting flight lasts about 30 minutes and a tour about 30 minutes, and tours are free and take place on all open days. Visitors can reserve seats for flights and tours, and private events and behind-the-scenes experiences in the distillery are offered. There are rules regarding alcohol consumption according to Virginia law (four 0.5 oz pours per person, 21+). Dogs and children are welcome, and outside food is allowed, though meals or hot food are not permitted. There is also the opportunity to fill your own bottle at the “Filling Station” in the tasting room. Private events and experiences can be booked via the distillery's site.

Private Events and Experiences

The distillery offers private events: weddings, corporate events, and other events with catering, private tours, bottling workshops and bartenders. A “Distiller-for-a-Day” experience is also offered, where guests can participate in the mash, fermentation and distillation under guidance and take home a private label bottle.

Barrel Program and Exclusive Access

Catoctin Creek offers Barrel Select – private fills with unique finishes and the opportunity to fill your own bottles and have them labeled with your own signature. This program entails purchasing an entire barrel and a range of privileges, including private tours and customer events. Their Barrel Program and other VIP experiences are aimed at special customers and partners.

Philosophy / Approach

Catoctin Creek describes itself as a high-quality and artisanal distillery, wanting to stay true to Virginia as the whiskey birthplace and to produce whiskey that reflects terroir and local ingredients. They focus on using local and organic grains and fruits, and describe that they avoid pesticides and chemical additives in the process to achieve the purest form of spirit. They place great emphasis on being a handmade, family-run and “grain-to-bottle” distillery, which includes mashing, fermenting and distilling on site. Solar energy is part of their sustainable strategy, and they highlight their commitment to responsible marketing through DISCUS. They also highlight Virginia as the historical home of whiskey and describe a long historical context around rye whiskey and cocktails in the USA.