News and Press Releases - 2026

The German style magazine, Eckel Inspired wrote a beautiful in-depth piece on the intersection of a craft Virginia brand (Catoctin Creeek) and a small whisky bar in Berlin (Beavis Bar). Lena Rolle writes:

Rye has a long history in Virginia. Early settlers used the grain for whisky production, and later George Washington operated a commercial rye distillery on his Mount Vernon estate. Catoctin Creek draws on this heritage and combines it with a contemporary operation. For Cooper, the significance of the distillery lies on several levels. The whisky tells the story of a historic grain and a landscape; the company, of two engineers who have applied their knowledge to a craft product. This personal connection, in turn, provides direct access to the people behind the bottle.

You can read the full article in both ENGLISH and DEUTSCH (around pages 52-57 or so).

The Loudoun Times covered our grand re-opening and the law changes that made it possible. Karen Graham writes:

The new law is welcome news for owners Becky and Scott Harris, who opened their tasting room and distilling operations in a renovated former car dealership building at 120 W. Main St. in 2013. They say it will provide a positive benefit for their customers and their overall business.

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[Scott Harris] said it will allow them to serve customers more than small samples, and to showcase their spirits to people “in the way they are best revealed” with classic and seasonal cocktails and high ball drinks. “It will be a cool experience. We hope people will come in and relax and enjoy the hospitality aspect of our business.”

[Catoctin Creek] have revamped the menu with more cocktails and food items to offer a “speakeasy experience,” Scott Harris said.

“We hope people will come in and grab a cocktail before or after dinner, or just come and enjoy the tasting room,” he said. Classic cocktails, such as a Manhattan, martini, Jack Rose or Old Fashioned made with Catoctin Creek’s products, will be featured. Seasonal cocktails created by tasting room manager Maria Figueroa-Gonzalez will be one of the highlights...

You can see the full article, here.

We are thrilled to learn that Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof received a GOLD MEDAL and BEST-IN-SHOW at the inaugural Kosher Spirit Awards.  The competition was run by Rabbi Drew Kaplan, and all judging was done blind.  

Our Catoctin Creek Applejack also scored in the competition, taking a BRONZE medal.

Catoctin Creek spirits are certified kosher by Star-K.  

You can see the full results from the competition, here, and view the Best-In-Show reveal, below.

Loudoun Now featured us in an article regarding the new law change allowing distilleries to pour up to 6 oz per customer.  

Unlike breweries, wineries and cideries in Virginia, distilleries are limited on how much of their products they can serve to customers in the tasting room. The current limit is 3 ounces, roughly equal to two shot glasses of liquor. A bill sponsored by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31), of Leesburg, doubled that limit.

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“It gives people a chance to try more than just a few things. You know, one of the things that we do is we are constantly coming up with new products, things that people are going to enjoy for different occasions,” [Becky Harris] said. “This gives people a chance to maybe revisit one of their favorites and also try some of the new products.”

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On Wednesday, July 1—the date the new law takes effect—Catoctin Creek will celebrate an official reopening of the tasting room with legislators and town government representatives invited.

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The event, which includes the introduction of a new menu and half-price cocktails—starts at 10 a.m., with a formal ceremony planned at 1 p.m. The tasting room is located at 120 W. Main St.

You can see the full article, here.