MannCave Distilling Inc.
About the Distillery
MannCave Distilling is located in Weston, West Virginia, and was established by members of the Mann family starting in 2016 with an official opening on December 15, 2018. The distillery uses a special artisanal artesian spring water from two old hand-dug coal mines as the basis for its spirits and is veteran- and family-owned. MannCave has focused on repeated distillations, locally grown corn as the raw material, and has earned several international medals for its products.
History
The idea for MannCave began in 2016 when friends and colleagues encouraged Stephen to turn his homebrew into a commercial project. Work at the site soon revealed two old hand-dug coal mines with a rich artesian spring. During 2016–2017 the family faced major challenges in uncovering, protecting, and bringing the water down to the valley; a substantial concrete structure was built to protect the mines and ensure water quality. In 2018 the distillery equipment arrived after delays and shortages, requiring DIY assembly and purchasing of spare parts. On December 15, 2018 SpikeWorld Enterprises Inc. (DBA MannCave Distilling Inc.) officially opened the distillery in Weston. Since the year of opening, MannCave has expanded its range, won international awards, and sold products both on-site and in retail in the state.
Raw Materials and Production
MannCave makes its products from locally grown corn and from mineral-rich artesian water that comes from two old hand-dug coal mines. The water is gravity-fed to storage tanks and undergoes an internal filtration process, and the producer notes a pH of 6.8 as well as a source water temperature on arrival of around 51 degrees. Production involves repeated distillations; several products go through a high number of distillation passes (for example 16 for certain spirits and up to 37 for selected vodka expressions). After distillation, solids are separated from water via a solid–liquid separator, and the by-product (spent corn) is used as feed, so the process is designed as waste-free. Ambrosia, the distillery’s maple-sap-based product, required a longer fermentation of over two months with a special yeast to preserve the desired character.
Maturation and Barrel Types
The aging strategy varies by product: some releases (bourbon) are aged for several years (three and four years are documented), while the rum typically ages shorter (around eight months). Several of the bourbon releases are described as aged in charred oak barrels, and there are also limited cask-strength releases composed of individual, selected barrels. The distillery releases individual casks separately to preserve their distinctive character.
Whiskeys
MannCave offers a range of finished whiskeys and bourbons as part of its lineup, including a general MannCave Whiskey, a 3-year Select Straight Bourbon, a 4-year Straight Bourbon, and a limited Cask Strength Distillers Reserve. In addition to whiskey, the distillery also produces vodka, moonshine, gin, rum, and a unique Ambrosia made from maple sap. The core range of bourbons and whiskeys is presented as smooth and barrel-aged variants, while the distillery also experiments with limited-batch releases.
| Whiskey | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MannCave Whiskey | Whiskey | 40 % | Barrel (charred oak) | An international silver medalist from MannCave; the producer describes the whiskey as lacking the traditional initial bite and with a pleasant honey and vanilla aroma and a clean finish.; Nose: Pleasant scent of honey and vanilla (as described by the producer).; Finish: Clean finish without sharpness. | Current; Core range; Sold at the distillery and in stores in West Virginia. | |
| MannCave Straight Bourbon (4 Year) | Straight Bourbon | 40 % | 4 Year | Barrel (charred oak) | Four-year bourbon in the distillery’s range; the producer highlights a smooth taste with honey and vanilla notes and a pronounced barrel flavor from aging in charred oak.; Nose: Subtle notes of honey and vanilla.; Finish: Clean finish with a character of the barrel (charred oak) as described. | Current; Core range; Sold at the distillery and in local stores. |
| MannCave Straight Bourbon (3 Year Select) | Straight Bourbon | 40 % | 3 Year | Barrel (charred oak) | A three-year selected bourbon, described by the producer with vanilla and oak elements and a clear barrel imprint from charred oak; presented as part of the core range. | Nose: Scent of vanilla and oak. |
| MannCave Cask Strength Bourbon (Distillers Reserve) | Cask Strength Bourbon | Barrel (selected barrels) | A limited cask-strength release assembled from two barrels with a stronger, deeper character than the standard 4-year bourbon; released separately to preserve the barrel’s distinctive qualities. Nose: Deeper aroma than the standard 4-year bourbon (according to the producer).; Finish: Described as deeper and still smooth and pleasant. | Limited; Limited release, sold primarily at the distillery. |
The Style and Flavor Profile of the Whiskeys
On the product pages the whiskeys are consistently described as clean and relatively smooth: honey and vanilla recur as central aroma and flavor directions, and the bourbon releases bear a clear oak/charred oak influence from barrel aging. The producer especially highlights a clean finish without the usual initial “bite.” These tendencies run across both whiskey and bourbon releases.
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery welcomes visitors with complimentary tastings and tours by request. The products are sold in a shop on-site, and several releases are also available in stores in West Virginia. Tours typically require a request or booking to ensure access to the production area, and there is historical information about fixed Saturday opening hours as well as indications that the site is open daily except Tuesdays.
The stated opening hours are Open daily except Tuesday; visits and tours by request. (Historically, Saturday opening hours 09:00–19:00 have also been listed.)
Philosophy and Craftsmanship
MannCave builds its products on three core principles: use of local ingredients (corn and local spring water), a stringent quality philosophy where only products that meet the distillery’s flavor profile are bottled, and an environmental focus that minimizes waste by reusing by-products. The distillery also emphasizes its veteran ownership and family-driven backing as part of its value system.
Sustainability
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Reuse of by-products (spent corn) as feed.
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Own source and water-management solutions to ensure water quality and reduce external water impact.
Prizes and Recognitions
- Double Gold (2024, Double Gold, MannCave Cask Strength Bourbon Distillers Reserve)