News and Press Releases - 2023

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 ...