History

Ironclad Distillery Co. believes there is a 'bourbon gene' in the family — a hereditary line of love for bourbon and a desire to produce the best bourbon from grain to glass, as Grandma would have it. The name Ironclad comes from the Civil War era: in 1862 the first ironclad warships were afloat at Newport News, and the ships' story became part of the site's identity. Ironclad sits along the James River near the site of the old ironclad battle and operates out of a 1913 warehouse from S.W. Holt & Co., where the walls carry the history. The family consists of Stephen King (Founder), Owen King (Distiller), and Kara King (Communications). The company stands by a simple philosophy: to make authentic bourbon — and only bourbon. In addition to the whiskey, they operate Ironclad Inn, a bed and breakfast and Bourbon Tasting Room in Fredericksburg, which brings the bourbon story and the area’s culture to life.

Production / Manufacturing

Small Batch Bourbon: produced with Virginia corn, wheat and rye along with malted barley and double-distilled in our 500-gallon copper and stainless steel still. Aged over two summers in new American oak barrels. The brackish breeze from the James River is balanced by sweet caramelized oak notes (from small, charred barrels). The flavor opens sweet with a dry spice finish. Straight Bourbon: distilled from our proprietary mash bill, aged over two years in 30-gallon charred oak barrels. Toasted oak, cherry and butter-baked notes. Smooth finish. Monitor Blend: our light wheat bourbon, aged over two years in 30-gallon charred barrels. Notes of maple and burnt sugar with a touch of caramel and fresh oak, as well as rose, cantaloupe, honeydew, and molasses. The Old Kernel Straight Bourbon Whiskey: our original recipe, made with Pungo Creek Mills’ heirloom Indian corn from Virginia’s East Coast. Deeply rooted in history and presenting a unique bourbon. Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey: from our historic building, over 100 years old, and where every drop of bourbon is wholly in-house. Aged five years, 100 proof. Sweeter Creations Maple Syrup Cask: finished with four-grain bourbon and finished in used barrels that previously stored apple syrup from Sweeter Creations Sugar House in New York. Adds subtle sweetness with toasted wood and bakery notes. AR’s Hot Southern Honey Cask: finished in six months in chili-infused honey barrels from AR’s Hot Southern Honey in Richmond. Notes of fruity spice followed by honey sweetness to mellow the heat. Missouri Toasted Oak Cask: finished five months in lightly toasted new white oak barrels. Notes of cookie dough, vanilla, roasted marshmallows and crème brûlée. Flying Fox Winery Cask: finished five months in a French oak Petit Verdot cask from Flying Fox Winery in Charlottesville. Nose of deep cherry with a jammy cherry and black pepper finish. All the qualities of a good red wine in a bourbon. Vessel Craft Coffee Cask: finished three months in our own used barrels that previously aged roasted coffee beans from Vessel Craft Coffee in Norfolk. Dark chocolate notes, strong coffee aroma and flavor. Cask Strength. Buzz's Bourbon Cream Liqueur: Navy Commemorative Bottles: limited editions honoring special command ships and patrol vessels (Montana SSN-794, Rickover SSN-795, New Jersey SSN-796). Sword & Sash Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey: the first distilled spirit for The Citadel in Charleston. 90 proof, aged two summers in new charred barrels. Distilled for The Citadel from Virginia corn, wheat, rye, and malted barley. The Severed Hand Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey: a collaborative effort between Newport News and Christopher Newport University — 90 proof. Vessel Craft Coffee Cask: (reappears again as a coffee-based finish with coffee notes and Cask Strength).

Visits / Experiences

Tasting Room: tastings of our own spirits as well as seasonal beverages. The Tasting Room is open for tastings, retail, and information. Hours: Wednesday 12:00–18:00, Thursday 12:00–18:00, Friday 12:00–20:00, Saturday 12:00–20:00. No booking required, but recommended due to limited space. Reserve a tasting. Tours: free guided tours offered on request. Last tour at 16:00. For groups larger than 10, advance scheduling is recommended. Private events: Ironclad accommodates corporate meetings, celebrations and other events. The spaces: Tasting Room, Cigar Patio and Holt Room.

Philosophy

In the family behind Ironclad they believe in a 'bourbon gene' — a heritage of having bourbon in the blood and in the glass. The goal is to produce bourbon, from grain to glass, as Grandma would have wanted. The name and history are closely tied to Newport News' ironclad past; the James River location and the historic Holt & Co. warehouse from 1913 provide a strong historical grounding. Ironclad aims to make bourbons that are accessible in flavor and price, without compromising product quality and tradition. The distillery and Inn concept reflect a belief in preserving history while creating contemporary experiences around bourbon and craftsmanship.