News and Press Releases - 2023

Middleburg Life did a wonderful in-depth article on Becky Harris and the history of her founding of Catoctin Creek.  The article is a nice summary of her efforts for the past almost fifteen years, including time as president of the American Craft Spirits Association: This vast, outward-looking energy radiates from Harris herself. She’s sat on the board of the American Craft Spirits Associati...

Robert Haynes-Peterson, writing for Inside Hook, sums up the ten best rye whiskeys under $100.  Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye 92 Proof "Distiller's Edition" once again makes the list: Using a mash bill of 100% locally farmed rye (a mix of Haslet, Indy Dillon and Brasetto ryes), it’s a classic spicy rye with plenty of depth and complex flavor. The juice is a beautiful, deep amber, is non-chil...

Amanda Schuster, writing for Inside Hook, sums up the eleven best rye whiskeys to use for an old fashioned, that classic whiskey drink.  Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye 92 Proof "Distiller's Edition" makes the list: Only one in 10 casks are selected to produce the higher proof variation of this Virginia distillery’s flagship rye. It’s a great all-purpose rye in general, but it’s particularly s...

The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠ distillery wins big at Consumer Choice Awards competition CHICAGO, IL. (October 27, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, earned a gold medal for it's Hot Honey Rye at the 2023 Whiskey and Barrel Consumer Choice Awards. The Consumer Choice awards are a unique competition designed to recognize both excellence and preference by consumer...

The family-owned distillery gets back to its roots to focus on distilling Virginia's most awarded rye whisky. PURCELLVILLE, Va. (October 4, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Company reacquired the interest held in their Purcellville, Virginia-based business from Constellation Brands Ventures (CBV).  Both Catoctin Creek and CBV agreed that now is the ideal time for the original owners to re...

This is the Purcellville distillery's first new product in over five years. PURCELLVILLE, Va. (September 25, 2023) - - - On Sunday, October 1st, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company will release their first new product in over half a decade:  Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye.  This product will be available nationally, including ABC stores statewide in Virginia, but also retailers and restaurants in ...

Take advantage of tastings, events, and 20% off all spirits products. PURCELLVILLE, Va. (September 1, 2023) - - - Virginia Spirits Month celebrates its eighth year this year. The month serves as a time to recognize the Commonwealth’s rich history as the birthplace of American spirits and highlight the innovation and passion of local distillers today. To celebrate this September, Catoctin Cree...

Bourbon Women celebrates leaders in the whiskey industry. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 28, 2023) - - - Hundreds of people descended on the ballroom on Friday evening, August 25th, for the Women of Whiskey Awards, a ceremony hosted by the Bourbon Women organization.  Awards were given in many categories, including Master Distiller/Production Manager of the Year, Master Blender of the Year, and the p...

We were delighted to learn that Becky Harris, Founder and Chief Distiller of Catoctin Creek, and also President Emeritus of the American Craft Spirits Association, was named a finalist in the Legacy Achievement Award. The WOW Awards proudly recognize exceptional women who have exhibited exemplary leadership, fostering opportunities for connection and community within the whiskey industry. As...

Bottles are available nationally on August 1st, 2023 PURCELLVILLE, Va. (July 21, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky℠, is excited to continue their partnership with GWAR with the release of their brand new batch of Ragnarök Rye: Oderus Edition. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of Oderus Urungus, and to commemorate his immortal spirit, tog...

The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠ donates over $5000 to support underprivileged workers in the spirits industry PURCELLVILLE, Va. (June 23, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, a leading craft spirits producer, is thrilled to announce its donation of $5,180 to the Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation). This donation is the result of ...

The Canadian publication, Travel Courier, did a feature story on our new Barrel Select Premium "filling station."  You can learn more about that, here.  The author writes: And a recent distillery innovation provides a very hands-on experience for visitors, inviting them to fill their own bottles of purchased whiskey. In addition to touring and enjoying spirits and cocktails, visitors now ha...

The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠ distillery wins big at Fred Minnick's awards competition PURCELLVILLE, Va. (May 10, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, earned a platinum medal for it's Ragnarök Rye at the 2023 ASCOT Awards. The ASCOT Awards is an international spirits competition created by spirits personality and veteran tasting judge, Fred Minnick. The competiti...

Another great article from the folks at Imbibe!  Paul Clarke does the comprehensive story on the history of rye whiskey in America and where it has brought us today.  He writes: When Scott and Becky Harris were scoping out plans for their Virginia distillery, Catoctin Creek, prior to its 2009 debut, they turned to the history books to help determine what spirits they planned to make. “If you...

The Virginia Rye Whisky℠ distillery will offer rye whisky from rare, one-of-a-kind barrels for a fill-your-own bottle experience at the distillery PURCELLVILLE, Va. (March 13, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, is offering a new experience for visitors to the Purcellville distillery.  In addition to touring and enjoying flights of spirits and cocktails, vis...

March is Women's History Month, and Tasting Table has a little piece highlighting several female producers.  We're happy to be one of them: When most people think of American whiskey, they think of bourbon, and therefore, Kentucky. However, the earliest origins of American whiskey actually belongs to Virginia, when George Thorpe's partnership with the Powhatan tribe led to him using their [g...

Always great to be in the top ten on anybody's list, including Imbibe: Imbibe 75 alumni Becky and Scott Harris helped spark the rye whiskey revolution among craft distillers at Catoctin Creek Distillery in Virginia. Making rye the focus of their attention, they’ve released a range of expressions over the years, including this 92-proof version of their flagship Roundstone Rye. Bottled as a si...

Washington ABC7 — March is Women’s History Month and all month long 7 News will be spotlighting the work women have done for our country as well as local success stories. Becky Harris, the Founder and Chief Distiller at Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, VA spoke to us about her strides in business. You can watch the full video, here.

Nice coverage in our local paper about our March initiative to raise money for STEPUP foundation: Becky Harris, Catoctin Creek’s co-founder and chief distiller, said she understands the challenges craft distillers, especially women, face every day to make their presence known, and as an ACSA board member seeks to increase diversity and provide more opportunities in the industry. This donati...

Tony Sachs of the Whisky Advocate writes a really in-depth piece about the history of American rye whiskey and the state of production today.  At the end of the article, he ranks several great rye brands in order, and we're very pleased that Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof came in as #2 on that list, with a score of 92 points.  From the introduction of the article: Danko, Abruzzi, and...

Zach Johnston of Uproxx does the full ranking of the 100 best rye whiskeys in the $50-100 range.  Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whisky ranks in on the Top 20 with an admirable number 18 in the list: This modern classic from Catoctin Creek is made from a 100% rye mash. The juice is distilled at a lower proof, which lets the graininess shine through in the end product, which i...

The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠ distillery wins big at new spirits competition honoring top U.S. craft distilleries PURCELLVILLE, Va. (February 6, 2023) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, earned four merits at The ABV Network’s Key West Whiskey Invitational Awards, including two Gold medals for its Roundstone Rye Maple Finish Cask Proof and Rabble Rouser Rye; and one D...

We are always grateful for a positive review, and Mark Gillespie, at WhiskyCast, has been doing it for longer than most people.  He reviews Rabble Rouser Bottled in Bond Rye Whisky in his latest podcast, around about minute 38:00 in the podcast: The nose has touches of nectarines, baking spices, sandalwood, honey, and a hint of tobacco.  The taste is thick and chewy, with peaches, nectarines, ...

Becky Harris stopped by WJLA-TV's Good Morning Washington show today to talk about a new program in the craft spirits industry: The ACSA has launched its second class for its Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation) . ACSA’s STEPUP Foundation is a diversity initiative that aims to help combat the lack of diversity in the industry by pro...

Zach Johnston of UPROXX sat down with ten rye whiskies, most of whom are big established brands, and blind tasted his way through the lot.  This was a pretty impressive set of ryes to be compared with, so it was great that we held our own in the rankings: The nose opens with a deep and sweet red fruitiness that gives way to a light winter spice mix, some caramel, and maybe a hint of Cream of W...

Brian Freedman of Food & Wine created the ultimate list of whiskies under $100 that you need to try, including our Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof - Maple Finish: Produced in pot stills in Virginia and then finished in a single maple syrup barrel and cask-proof bottled at 58.8% ABV, this is generous, fresh, and sweetly spiced. Maple candies, dried currants, and black cherry notes ...