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News and Press Releases - 2025

Travel + Leisure: This Underrated Virginia County Has It All—Including Charming Hotels, Local Wineries, and the Newest State Park

Travel + Leisure magazine does an in-depth review of the things to do in our "underrated" Loudoun County.  Sure, there's lots to do, and something for nearly everyone!

Often referred to simply as “Loudoun,” Loudoun County is made up of a handful of towns and communities: Leesburg (the county seat), Middleburg, Purcellville, Waterford, Sterling, Round Hill, Lucketts, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Hamilton, Ashburn, and Bluemont. “As a business owner in Loudoun, I really appreciate the diversity. Each city or town has its own vibe and culture. I also like how each city has its own local flair and events that the community can support,” says Silas Redd, owner of Nostalgia Boutique and Mister on Main in Purcellville.

The writer dips into Purcellville for a quick mention of our distillery:

Places to grab a locally made drink abound in Loudoun County. Redd prefers Walsh Family Wine—and recommends a glass of their viognier—and Catoctin Creek Distillery, “for one of their highly curated ‘Dinner at the Distillery’ events.”

You can see the full story, here.

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Press Release: Catoctin Creek Launches Bottle Subscription

🥃Delivering Curated Bottles Quarterly

PURCELLVILLE, VA – June 24, 2025 — Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, Virginia’s first distllery since Prohibition and producer of award‑winning rye whisky, is proud to unveil its Bottle Subscription, a new membership program designed to bring curated, hand‑selected spirits directly to enthusiasts.

Members of the Bottle Subscription will enjoy:

  • Quarterly curated shipments featuring a rotating selection of Catoctin Creek staples and seasonal or special‑edition bottles.

  • Retail discounts of 10% on all merchandise and events at the distillery.

  • Virtual events including town halls, Ask-Me-Anything events, cocktail classes and other online meetings with the founders.

  • Flexible online management allowing subscribers to pause, modify, or cancel their memberships at any time.

This subscription offers enthusiasts—whether new to whisky or long‑time fans—a simple and convenient way to explore Catoctin Creek’s rarest whisky from the comfort of home.  For more information, and to join, visit catoctincreek.com/vip.

🏛️ Explore Deeper with the Cornerstone Club

For those seeking elevated access to rare spirits and insider experiences, Catoctin Creek continues to offer its Cornerstone Club membership. As described on the Cornerstone Club site, members receive:

  • Four ultra‑limited, high‑end bottles each year, such as 7‑Year Rabble Rouser Bottled‑in‑Bond, Curaçao‑barrel‑finish rye, apple‑brandy‑finish rye, and single‑barrel malt whisky

  • Quarterly exclusive events, including barrel-thieving sessions, cocktail nights, food pairings, and the festive Repeal Day Ball.

  • VIP distillery privileges—skip‑the‑line bottle access, complimentary core tastings (plus guests), special pours, and 20% off events and merchandise.

  • Virtual masterclasses, town halls, and voting rights on future spirit releases.

The Cornerstone Club, which replaced the Rye Society in 2024, offers both individual and family plans with flexible quarterly or annual payment options.

🔗 How to Join

  • Visit catoctincreek.com/vip to choose your plan and start receiving quarterly selections.

  • Available in Virginia and most US states.

Whether you crave curated convenience or exclusive, high‑touch experiences, Catoctin Creek has a membership tailored to deepen your connection with exceptional whisky.

🌿 About Catoctin Creek Distilling Company

Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, was founded by Scott and Becky Harris in 2009. Inspired by the history and craft of Virginia, Catoctin Creek made a name for itself as the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Purcellville, Virginia’s Loudoun County. The independent craft distillery is home to Virginia’s most-awarded whisky, Roundstone Rye, which has been presented medals across the globe and stands out through its old-world production methods. For more information, call (540) 751-3294 or visit CatoctinCreek.com. Follow Catoctin Creek on Instagram, Blue Sky and Facebook.

Press Contact:
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Phone: (540) 751‑8404

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Loudoun Now: Mt. Defiance, Catoctin Creek, Score Gold in First Landing Cup

We were pleased to get coverage for our gold and silver medals in Virginia's First Landing Cup from Loudoun Now.  Both Catoctin Creek and Mt. Defiance were happy winners in the competition:

Two Loudoun distilleries were among just 13 gold medal winners in the inaugural First Landing Cup, a statewide competition organized by the Virginia Distillers Association and the Virginia Spirits Board.

[...]

Catoctin Creek’s Hot Honey Rye was introduced during COVID when the team was looking for a fun new product. The spirit is a mixture of the distillery’s Roundstone Rye 80 Proof and three types of local Virginia honey with a dash of habañero chilis.

You can read the full story, here.

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Press Release: Catoctin Creek wins top honors at First Landing Cup for Hot Honey Rye and other whisky

Winning spirits include Hot Honey Rye, Roundstone Rye Cask Proof and Rabble Rouser Bottled-In-Bond Rye

RICHMOND, VA. (June 5, 2025) - - - Catoctin Creek was recognized among Virginia’s best craft spirit producers, earning GOLD medal honors for its Hot Honey Rye at the 2025 First Landing Cup, a statewide competition organized by the Virginia Distillers Association and the Virginia Spirits Board.  The distillery's Roundstone Rye Cask Proof and Rabble Rouser Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whisky both took SILVER medals in the competition.

Hot Honey Rye was first introduced during COVID, when we were looking for a fun new product to cast away the pandemic blues.  Hot Honey Rye is a mixture of our award winning Roundstone Rye 80 Proof with three types of real, local Virginia honey and a dash of habañero chilis for a hint of spice.  It can be ordered online at buyvirginiarye.com.

The First Landing Cup celebrates Virginia-made spirits that exemplify excellence in craftsmanship, innovation and quality. Named after the historic 1607 landing at Cape Henry—the birthplace of American distilling—the competition drew 108 entries across multiple categories, all judged blind by a panel of 21 nationally recognized spirits experts.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized alongside so many amazing peers across Virginia! Our team pours heart, soul—and a little bit of magic—into every bottle. It’s an incredible feeling to see that passion celebrated,” said Scott Harris, Founder and General Manager of the distillery.

In addition to this recognition, First Landing Cup gold medalists—including Catoctin Creek—are being featured in the Virginia Spirits Passport Gold Medal Trail, a self-guided tasting experience designed to connect visitors with award-winning distilleries across the commonwealth.

Virginia ABC will also be showcasing First Landing Cup medalists, including Hot Honey Rye, in select retail stores statewide.

For a full list of winners or to learn more about the First Landing Cup, visit virginiaspirits.org/first-landing-cup.

About Catoctin Creek Distilling: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, was founded by Scott and Becky Harris in 2009. Inspired by the history and craft of Virginia, Catoctin Creek made a name for itself as the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Purcellville, Virginia’s Loudoun County. The independent craft distillery is home to Virginia’s most-awarded whisky, Roundstone Rye, which has been presented gold medals across the globe and stands out through its old-world production methods. Catoctin Creek prides itself on making rye whisky, gin, and seasonal brandy from local grains and fruits, with spirits available throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia and Europe. The Harris’ intricate attention to detail results in high quality internationally acclaimed products, including seasonal releases and private cask offerings, that recognize the true craft of Virginia spirits. For more information, call (540) 751-3294 or visit CatoctinCreek.com. Follow Catoctin Creek on Instagram, Blue Sky and Facebook.

About the Virginia Distillers Association:  The Virginia Distillers Association was founded to serve as a unifying voice for the Virginia spirits industry. Its mission is to advance the legislative interests of Virginia distillers and to educate its members on regulatory compliance in collaboration with the Virginia ABC. The Association strives to foster a thriving community of Virginia spirits producers dedicated to crafting world-class products for consumers across the Commonwealth and around the world.

About the Virginia Spirits Board:  The Virginia legislature established the Virginia Spirits Board in 2020. The purpose of the Spirits Board is to allocate funds to projects that expand spirits distilling research, education, and promotion of the growing of grains and the production of spirits in the commonwealth. The Virginia Spirits Board is one of 16 commodity boards within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  • First Landing Cup 2025 Gold Medal
  • First Landing Cup 2025 Silver Medal
  • First Landing Cup 2025 Silver Medal

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NPR: How tariffs are affecting one Virginia distillery

NPR's Scott Detrow, of All Things Considered, visited the distillery last week to learn about our business, and find out how tariffs are affecting our business.  This is a good story, with a deeper level of discussion on tariffs than you're seeing in the headlines.

"The books are trickier these days. The first hundred days of the second Trump administration has brought new tariffs and threats of tariffs, which have upended the spirits industry in the U.S. It is, in some ways, a replay of the first Trump administration. And in recent years, Catoctin Creek has had to change its business plans over and over again."

You can listen to and read the fuller story, here.

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