Happy July!!

July 4 is Independence Day, and we'd like to be the very first to wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July!  It was the independent spirit of our forefathers that created this country, and we celebrate that spirit in our life and work here at Catoctin Creek Distillery!

We will be open all week during the holiday, so if you have some time off from work, come on by and check us out for some tastings and tours.  Our holiday hours are the same as our weekday hours:  Tastings and Tours from 12-1pm and 3-4pm.

Come grab a bottle or two for your 4th of July party, and please, as always, enjoy responsibly.

July 7 – Roundstone Rye Cask Proof Release Party!

That long awaited date is finally here!  On Saturday, July 7, at 11am SHARP, we will open the doors to sell the first bottles of Roundstone Rye CASK PROOF to the public.  Bottled at 116 proof, or 58%, this is a seriously strong dram of whisky!  We'll only have a few bottles for sale (only 100 were bottled in our first batch), so be sure to show up early to get yours.

Our first cask proof bottles will be sold using a lottery system, so all legal adults who are present at 11:00 AM SHARP will receive a ticket.  We will then draw lots until either everyone has a bottle, or all bottles are gone.  Limit two bottles per party.

For the rest of the day, we're going to make a fun day of it!  Between 12 and 4 PM, we'll have snacks, trivia, and 15% off all store merchandise (not including liquor).  You can take a tour, have some snacks, and enjoy a festive day as we celebrate the release of Roundstone Rye Cask Proof and our one year anniversary of our distillery store.

So come on by, pick up a bottle, and have some fun with us on July 7th!

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye - Cask Proof, 58% ABV, whisky distilled from 100% rye, 750ml, SRP $64.75.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of great events planned for the month that should prove entertaining and educational:

• July 7 - Cask Proof and Distillery Store Release Party - Join us for a day of trivia, fun, tours, and the release of our Cask Proof Roundstone Rye!
• July 29 - LINCOLN Field Trip to Catoctin Creek - Get on the tour bus from DC to come out and see Catoctin Creek for a private tour and party with the good folks from LINCOLN.
• July 29 - Schooner Woodwind Dinner Cruise - We'll be pouring aboard this cruise for a wonderful four course dinner with cocktails.
• July 31 - Edible Manhattan Beer Festival - If you're in New York City, come by and check us out at the beer festival!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail of the Month - Classic Negroni

July is a great month for gin.  The warmer weather has people looking for cooler, more refreshing cocktails.  My personal favorite is the Negroni, a true classic that stands up well to the assertiveness of the Watershed Gin:

2.0 oz Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin
0.75 oz Campari
1.5 oz Carpano Sweet Vermouth
Orange slice for garnish

Mix together the gin, Campari, and vermouth in a shaker full of ice.  Serve neat or on the rocks in a rocks or martini glass.  Garnish with a slice of orange.

Photo courtesy Jen SFO-BCN via Flickr and used under a Creative Commons license.

See this cocktail and over eighty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Welcome summer!  With the warmer weather, we're breaking out the Watershed Gin and enjoying one of our favorites... Gin and Tonics on the patio.  What says summer better than this refreshing and sinfully simple drink?  Gin stocks running a little low?  Stop by the distillery and pick up some today!

New York... What a Blast!

We're officially in New York now!  Last week was the launch of our products in the City and in Brooklyn.  To kick off the week, we did tastings at various high-profile places, including Noorman's Kil and the Whiskey Shop in Brooklyn, Grapevine Wines and Spirits in Wesley Hills, and the Brandy Library in Tribeca.

Look for our spirits to show up at your favorite place in New York, including Astor Wines, Bowery and Vine, The Richardson, Rye House, Fette Sau, and many others.  Can't find it?  Give us a shout and we'll tell you how to get it where you want it in the city!

Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip around NYC.  Thanks again to NYC for a great launch!

Pictured below are, clockwise from top left, the Brandy Library, Noorman's Kil, tastings at Grapevine, and Scott with Yehoshua from the Grapevine.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of great events planned for June that should prove entertaining and educational:

• June 9 - Bottling Workshop - Join us for a bottling workshop for a unique hands-on experience.
• June 9 - Civil War Museum Whisky and Cigars - Whiskey tastings and cigars at this historic event.
• June 16 - Middleburg Humane Foundation Gala - We'll be pouring at the 18th annual black tie affair!
• June 19 - Tasting at National Aquarium - Another great opportunity to taste our spirits!
• June 21 - Whisky Cruise DC - This event is always a blast, with over 200 whiskey brands all in one place.
• June 27 - J&G Cocktail Club - We'll focus on four specialty cocktails for warmer-weather whisky libations.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail of the Month - Global Warming Gin Fizz

This recipe is cross-posted (with permission) from Good Booze:

2 oz Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin
¼ cup fresh blueberries
2 tsp local honey (try something floral to deepen the flavor)
½ of a fresh orange
Chilled club soda
½ oz Campari
Orange wedge for garnish

Crush the blueberries in the bottom of a glass, add the gin and honey, and mix well. Set aside for one hour.

After an hour, squeeze the fresh orange over the blueberry-gin mixture and stir. Add a few ice cubes, top with chilled club soda, then float Campari over the top. Garnish with an orange wedge and enjoy.

Courtesy Good Booze, and used with permission.

See this cocktail and over eighty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

What happened to spring?  It seems we've backslid into winter with this cold blustery weather we've been having in April.  Well, grab yourself a nip of whisky, and steel yourself, for surely summer is coming soon!

New York... Here we Come!

After a few weeks of getting our brands registered in the State of New York, we have finally sealed the deal by sending our first pallet of spirits up to the big city!  Last week, a half ton of spirits left harbor in Purcellville, Virginia, on a steam ship bound for the Big Apple!

In the coming weeks, we'll be traveling up there to meet with new accounts... restaurants, bars, and liquor stores... to tell our story and pour our spirits.  If you live in New York City, drop us a line and let us know where we need to be!

Cool New Shirt Designs in the Gift Shop

We have some cool new retro t-shirts in the gift shop.  Available in sizes from small through 2XL, in jersey gray, slate blue, and chocolate brown, they feature a classic fellow enjoying a Catoctin Creek Manhattan, with our retro "Think Global... Drink LOCAL!" on the back.

Available only at the store, for $15 each in the finest quality cotton, and pre-shrunk so you know they will still fit after the first wash.

April was Watershed Gin Month at Catoctin Creek

Every few months or so, we crank out another batch of our gold medal winning Watershed Gin.  The process is one we always enjoy, as the smell of juniper and fresh herbs permeates the distillery for days.

We start with the choicest fresh juniper, crushed by hand before combining with other herbs like coriander, anise, cinnamon, and orange peel.  The herbs are then macerated into our rye-base spirit, at which point we produce a "gin wash" that can then be distilled.

As we distill the gin wash, the herbs line up into fractions which come through in separate sections of the gin hearts run.  We carefully select the best of these flavors, while holding back the harsh and bitter elements, to produce a gin that is lovely and unrivaled in the ranks of hand-crafted modern style gins.

Be sure to pick some up next time you're out; summer is coming, and nothing says summer like a Gin and Tonic!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of great events planned for March that should prove entertaining and educational:

• May 4 - DC Invitational Golf Tournament - Enjoy a day of golf and beverages at Lansdowne Resort.
• May 10 - OHMH Benefit Tasting - Join us at the Light Horse in Alexandria as we sip cocktails and raise money in support of a girls' school in Kenya.
• May 15 - NY Indie Spirits Expo - We'll be pouring in NYC! Come meet Kirsten and Chad, our brand ambassadors.
• May 17 - Bunce-Aroo - Enjoy the finest local singer-songwriter music as we sponsor this eclectic concert once again.
• May 19-20 - Spring Farm Tours - We'll be doing demos again of our production, but this year, on Saturday only, we'll also have farm-raised, Catoctin Creek rye-mash fed, pulled pork sandwiches! Oh, man, you don't want to miss these!
• May 19 - Preakness Party at Morven Park - We'll be pouring at Morven Park as we watch the Preakness!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail of the Month - Catoctin Gin Front Porch Sippers

Cocktail hour will never be the same with one of these delicious beverages. Enjoy with friends on the front porch during a lazy hot summer evening.

Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin
Peeled and seeded cucumber, cut into rough chunks
Fresh lime juice
Lime rind zest mixed with a bit of sugar for the rims
Lime wedges
Thinly sliced pieces of cucumber with the peel ON for garnish
Club soda

Rim the glass with the lime sugar, and fill with crushed ice.

Add four chunks of cuke, the juice from two lime wedges, 1 tsp of sugar to a shaker and muddle in the shaker.  Add 1½ oz gin, 1 oz of lime juice, 1 to 1½ oz simple syrup with ice in the shaker, and shake well.

Pour contents of shaker over ice and garnish with thin slices of cuke. Enjoy!

For the watermelon version just switch out watermelon for the cucumber in the recipe - garnish with the lime/sugar rim and add a small chunk of watermelon and a mint leaf to the rim to make it pretty!!

Courtesy Cheryl Bunce. Photo courtesy Cookie and Kate and used with permission.

See this cocktail and over sixty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Happy Spring, everybody!  We've made it through March, and sidestepped what was a pretty mild winter.  With flowers blooming and warmer weather, we're looking forward to some great events in April and the coming spring months.  Read on for more information...

New York... Here we Come!

Our biggest news in March was signing the deal to get into New York City.  Yes, very very soon, Catoctin Creek products will be available throughout New York City.  Available through Blueprint Brands, a subsidiary of Union Beer Distributors, you should be able to start ordering our products in your favorite stores and restaurants in April.

We've expanded our production to handle the anticipated demand.  (We certainly don't want to lose out any product here in the DC region to take on this new market.)  We're now working two shifts every day and putting away almost twice as much spirit as we build up for New York.

Ah, New York!  If we can make it there...

Cask Proof Roundstone Rye... Coming Soon

In the next few months, we should have a new version of Roundstone Rye available.  By popular demand, we're releasing a limited set of cask proof Roundstone Rye, bottled at 58% ABV, or 116 proof.  Seriously strong rye, this stuff will be gorgeous for those aficionados who prefer a little stronger dram.

As with every bottle of Roundstone Rye, each bottle is small batch and single barrel whisky.  Look for news on how to get yours in the next month or so.

Washingtonian: "Hidden Gem of DC"

We were thrilled to be chosen as one of the "Hidden Gems of DC" by Washingtonian magazine.  The magazine highlighted visiting our distillery for tours and tastings.

As a reminder, we are open Monday through Saturday each week, and tours are only $5 per person, with tastings at prescribed times through the day.  Check our website for full details.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of great events planned for April that should prove entertaining and educational:

• April 13 - Happy Hour at Boundary Stone - Join Catoctin Creek, DC Brau, and the guys at Boundary Stone Public House for a great happy hour on Friday the 13th.
• April 14 - Catoctin Creek Distilling Workshop - If you are interested in the art, science and business of distilling, then this is the seminar for you, plus you'll get to see hands-on distillation in progress from beginning to end.
• April 21 - Partners Since Prohibition - Join us at Lansdowne Resort for a great evening of food, wine, beer, and spirits, celebrating local producers throughout Loudoun County.
• April 22 - Oysterstock - April 22 is Earth Day, and we're joining up with Poste restaurant this year to sponsor their Earth Day party, with proceeds going to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail of the Month - Catoctin Creek Margarita

Warren Bobrow did a very nice review of our Mosby's Spirit on Foodista, and this cocktail was his inspiration after the tasting. We so often hear that people taste silver tequila when they taste our Mosby's, so why not a margarita? Delicious!

3 oz Catoctin Creek Mosby's Spirit
1 oz Cynar
½ oz raw Agave syrup
1 oz Tuaca Vanilla/Orange liqueur
4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
Mexican Molé Bitters from Bitter End

In a cocktail shaker filled ½ with ice, add the liquors, the Agave syrup and the lime- juice.

Shake and strain into a short cocktail glass with a hunk of lime as a garnish. Add one-two drops of the Mexican Mole’ bitters to each glass at the end and give a quick stir to complete.

Courtesy Warren Bobrow, and used with permission.
Photograph courtesy Ralph and Jenny on Flickr and used under Creative Commons Attribution license.

See this cocktail and over sixty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Greetings! As February draws to a close, we look forward to the warmer weather. Sunnier days, blooming flowers, and cocktails on the patio. It hasn't been much of a winter here in Virginia, but still, spoiled as we are, we can hardly wait for spring!

Catoctin Creek Increases Production

Lately, we've had a problem.  We can't seem to keep enough of our products in stock!  (Yes, we have good problems.)

It seems that demand in DC continues to grow, as it does in Virginia, Maryland, and our other markets throughout the U.S. We must, therefore, consider ways to increase production to address our growing demand.

To that end, we are very happy to announce the appointment of Greg Moore as assistant distiller at Catoctin Creek.  Greg, working alongside with Becky, will help ensure that we get enough spirits into the pipeline to slake the thirst of our happy customers.  Greg interned with us last year, and you might have seen his smiling handsome face on Saturdays up at the distillery.  Now, starting in March, Greg will help us by manning a second shift each day.

Greg, here's to ya!  Cheers!

Crazy Number of Reviews in February!

I guess we're starting to get noticed!

We were very tickled to receive a boatload of positive reviews in February. At the earliest part of the month, we received a very nice write-up in Tasting Panel magazine, highlighting our Watershed Gin in their "Gin-uary" issue, calling it "an eco-ganic slice of luxury."

Shortly after this, Warren Bobrow, the esteemed mixologist, reviewed Roundstone Rye on Foodista.  He said, "The Catoctin Creek product is lush and gorgeous in the mouth.  I think what I like most about it is the nose.  It has a sugarcane nose and a Maple Syrup finish."

Next,  our entire line-up was reviewed in Kashrus magazine, pointing out that it is one of the very few kosher certified American whiskey and gin offerings.

Later in the month, Kevin Kosar, who shared the microphone with Becky on the Kojo Nnambdi show back in January, gave a very nice review of the Roundstone Rye on his AlcoholReviews.com site, giving the Roundstone Rye a four-star rating.  He wrote, "At a whiskey tasting party we attended a year ago, three ryes were set out and this one was preferred by most tipplers."

Finally, on the very last day of the month (leap day, no less), we received a silver medal from The Fifty Best for our Watershed Gin.  This competition was a very formal blind tasting, so we feel very satisfied with the result!

What a crazy (but "good" crazy) month!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for March that should prove entertaining and educational:

• March 8 - Environmental Film Festival Launch Party - Join us to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Environmental Film Festival! We'll have a special FRESHFARM Markets cocktail by master DC mixologist, Derek Brown (featuring Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye).
• March 10-11 - Bottling Workshops - We'll be bottling again in March, but both workshops are full, so unless you've already gotten your spot, you'll have to wait for the next one.
• March 12 - Mad Fox Whiskey Dinner - We'll be at Mad Fox Brewery in Falls Church for a spectacular five course dinner paired with Catoctin Creek cocktails at each course.  This is one you don't want to miss!!
• March 16 - Bunce-Aroo Concert - Check out the latest in young singer-songwriter music at the Franklin Park Arts Center, sponsored by Catoctin Creek!

And in April...

• April 14 - Catoctin Creek Distilling Workshop - If you are interested in the art, science and business of distilling, then this is the seminar for you, plus you'll get to see hands-on distillation in progress from beginning to end.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for March - Beetlejuice!

One of our favorite cocktails, courtesy of Good Booze:

Housemade St. Germain-based lemon soda is a tasty complement to our beet-infused gin, which we think lends a floral undertone to our homage to spring. It’s incredibly easy to make, but you can substitute a commercial lemon soda if you prefer.

1 small raw beet, peeled and grated
½ cup Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Watershed Gin
Raw sugar (regular granulated sugar is fine as well)
Juice of one fresh lemon
1 oz St. Germain liqueur
1 tsp light agave nectar
3 oz club soda or mineral water

To make the beet infusion: Put grated beets in a cup or jar with a large pinch of raw sugar. Top with gin and allow to sit, uncovered, for one or two hours. Strain and set aside.

To make the lemon soda: Put the lemon juice, St. Germain, agave nectar and club soda in a glass and stir vigorously until well-incorporated. Do this just before assembling the cocktail to maintain the carbonation.

Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the lemon soda. Pour 1.5 ounces of beet-infused gin over the top — do not stir, but leave it layered. Garnish with lemon, fresh herbs, or a slice of watermelon radish (optional). Drink up!

Courtesy Good Booze, and used with permission.

See this cocktail and over sixty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Gie him strong drink until he wink,
That's sinking in despair;
An' liquor guid to fire his bluid,
That's prest wi' grief and care:
There let him bouse, an' deep carouse,
Wi' bumpers flowing o'er,
Till he forgets his loves or debts,
An' minds his griefs no more.

-- Robert Burns, Scotch Drink, 1785.

For those of you with Scottish ancestors (and that should be just about every one of you!), in January, we toasted Robert Burns, the national bard of Scotland. Burns enthusiasts across the world don the kilt and tartans and celebrate the poet's birthday with dinner, drinks and poetry—a lovely excuse to enjoy that "guid ol' Scotch drink".

Big Production Month in January

January was a crazy month for us at the distillery.  The holidays literally exhausted all of our supplies.  You drank us dry! By January 4th, we were almost completely out of Mosby's Spirit, Watershed Gin, Roundstone Rye and Pearousia.  We had less than ten cases left of everything.  Obviously, we had some bottling to do!

With two teams of wonderful volunteers, in one weekend, we bottled approximately 10% of our entire 2011 production!  Yes, over one and a half tons of spirits were bottled and shipped out in just two days.  It was an incredible effort, and we were certainly exhausted afterwards, but we were satisfied knowing that our stock was replenished throughout our markets.

Facing such a shortage was a huge problem, but as Becky likes to say, "We have good problems!"  It was a lot of spirits to ship out, but that just motivated us more to produce these lovely spirits that you all seem to enjoy so much.  Cheers, and thank you!

Appreciating Alice Waters at the National Portrait Gallery

We were very honored to be invited to participate in the unveiling of a portrait for Alice Waters at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.  Alice Waters is the pioneer chef and owner of Chez Panis in Berkley, California, and the author of the local food "Locavore" movement across the nation.

Both Becky and I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Waters, and what's more, our Watershed Gin was chosen as the local spirit for the night, with Adam Bernbach of Proof/Estadio pouring an amazing pear and gin cocktail for the 300+ patrons.  Many local celebrity chefs, including Chefs José Andres, Cathal Armstrong, and Mike Isabella, among others, were present providing their creations of local foods.

It was an amazing night to be part of the food and drink culture in DC.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for midwinter that should prove entertaining and educational:

• All February - Celebrate Lincoln's Birthday - The LINCOLN Restaurant is partnering with local Ford’s Theatre and the Catoctin Creek for a month’s worth of special deals and  drinks.
• February 11 - Bottling Workshop - Ever popular, get a chance to bottle your own Roundstone Rye and take home a personalized souvenir of this very hands-on workshop and tour.
• February 18 - Loudoun Grown Expo - Back by popular demand, the expo highlights the best of Loudoun's local food, wine and YES, spirits!  And this year, we're doing TASTINGS!  We'll be paired up with the NOVA Roller Derby girls, so look for some rowdy fun in the booth!
• February 22 - Cocktails at Rye - Join Scott at Rye in Fells Point, Maryland for a night of cocktails and fun.
• February 27 - Dinner and Cocktails at J&G Steakhouse - Join us for a four course dinner of small plates and cocktails at the J&G Steakhouse in the historic W Hotel Washington.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for February - Pfeffernüsse

Pfeffernüsse are traditional German cookies served at Christmastime.  The cookie is a sharply spiced gingerbread cookie rolled in powdered sugar.  The name, literally, means pepper-nuts, which gives a hint to the ingredients in the cookie.  Here we've reproduced the experience in a cocktail version.  Scofflaw's Den barrel aged bitters provide the spice, with a sharp homemade ginger syrup providing the backbone.  And for a garnish, just a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, to add that authentic German touch.  Schmeckt gut!

2 oz Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Roundstone Rye
1 oz homemade ginger syrup
3-4 dashes of Scofflaw's Den barrel aged bitters
splash of soda
sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, stir together rye, ginger syrup and bitters with ice.  Strain and pour into rocks glass.  Add 3-4 ice cubes, top off with soda, and sprinkle with fresh cracked black pepper.

See this cocktail and over sixty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  We do tours and tastings every day except Sunday, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the year 2012!   Hard to believe it, but this is now our third year in business, and we couldn't be happier!  Sure, we're working our tails off, but anything this much fun is worth the effort!

Here's hoping you and yours have a wonderful 2012, filled with joy, prosperity, and good friends and family.

Cheers to 2012!

Becky on NPR

Perhaps the highlight of our December was Becky's appearance on the Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU.  Not only is it way cool to be on the radio, but we actually listen to his show almost every day in the distillery!  So to be on this show from one of our favorite radio celebrities, well, it was just really awesome!

Becky was joined by Kevin Kosar, author of 'Whiskey: A Global History' and Bill Thomas, owner of Jack Rose in D.C. to be a part of the show, and together, it made for a really interesting Whisky 101 course:

This storied spirit has a history both global and local, whether distilled in the northern isles of Scotland or the green hills of Kentucky. Sales of all types of whiskey are soaring, and small craft distilleries are popping up across the U.S. We learn about the different varieties--from bourbon to Scotch-- and how this liquor is made and enjoyed. Responsibly, of course

If you missed the show, worry not.  You can download the original podcast and listen to its entirety, here.

Appreciating the Year 2011

There was so much to be thankful for in 2011, and I won't list them all here.  We won several awards and got some really nice press.  2011 was also the year that we took on three wonderful new employees: Greg, Emily, and Chad.  We couldn't ask for better help, and time and time again, these guys are putting a top-notch professional face on what we do back at the distillery.  Thank you, guys!

Most of all, we are thankful for good friends, family, and the support and kindness of customers like you!  Without you, none of this would be worth it.  Keep enjoying those spirits, and we'll keep making them for you!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for midwinter that should prove entertaining and educational:

• January 10 - Chocolate and Cocktail Pairing at DC Wisdom - Merideth from MC2 Chocolates, Scott from Catoctin Creek, and Erik from Wisdom will all be on hand to pair up some amazing cocktails with some amazing chocolates!  Space is limited, so reserve by using the link, above.
• January 13 - Bottling Workshop #1 - A rare Friday workshop, where we're bottling Watershed Gin.
• January 14 - Distilling Workshop - Our very popular whisky workshop is totally full now, so if you haven't reserved your space, look for the next one--probably in April--to be announced on January 15th.
• January 15 - Bottling Workshop #2 - A rare Sunday workshop, where we're bottling Roundstone Rye.
• February 18 - Loudoun Grown Expo - Back by popular demand, the expo highlights the best of Loudoun's local food, wine and YES, spirits!  This year, we'll be paired up with the NOVA Roller Derby girls, so look for some rowdy fun in the booth!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for December - Hot Lavender Lemonade

This recipe is cross-posted (with permission) from Inspired magazine:

Nothing could be more civil than a proper hot drink by the fireplace when the wind is whipping across the meadows and a case of the sniffles is threatening tomorrow's snowy hike around Willow Lake.  Call it medicinal if you like, but there's nothing like Catoctin Creek's eco-ganic Watershed Gin warmed with lavender-infused lemonade to take off the chill while giving the promise of a good night's sleep.

2 oz Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin
¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
3 Tbsp local honey (add more or less to taste)
½ cup water
lavender sprig, fresh or dried

To make the Lavender Lemonade: combine lemon juice, water, and honey in a small saucepan, stirring over low heat. Add one 3-inch lavender sprig and bring lemonade to a simmer. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, but do not bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Taste for sweetness/tartness and adjust to your preference. Remove lavender sprig before serving.

Pour 6 ounces of hot Honey-Lavender Lemonade into a large mug and add 1.5 ounces Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Watershed Gin, stirring to combine. Garnish with lemon wheel (optional).

Courtesy Kristen Hartke, photo courtesy Molly McDonald Peterson, and used with permission.

See this cocktail and over sixty others on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Happy Holidays!

December is here, and the Holidays are approaching!

Have you gotten your Christmas or Hanukkah shopping done yet?  If you're still looking for that perfect gift, remember, local and eco-ganic spirits make a great gift for those hard-to-shop-for special people in your life.

This year, we have several new items available at the distillery store, among them, a handsome new rocks glass: heavyweight, high-quality glass, etched with our logo, the perfect glass for enjoying a dram of rye whisky.

All three of our standard spirits--Roundstone Rye, Mosby's Spirit, and Watershed Gin--are available at the distillery store, and we are very happy to announce the following:

Batch Two of Pearousia is Here!

Yes, that's right! After a very long wait, our second batch of very limited release Pearousia pear brandy is now available at the distillery store (or by special order in the Virginia ABC or Bacchus).  Each bottle is hand numbered, and only a few hundred will be produced this year.  Pearousia bottles sold out last year in two months, so get yours while you can!

For those unfamiliar with our Pearousia, it is a seasonal brandy done in collaboration with Fabbioli Cellars.  Made from 100% Bosc pears, the brandy is distilled in an old-world style, non-sugary, and full of fruity taste and aroma, similar to a Calvados or a Cognac, but made from pears, of course.

So drop on by the distillery, and pick up a few items on your list.

And, from our family to yours, have yourself a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and an excellent and prosperous New Year!

Limited Holiday Hours

During the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, we WILL be open for tours, tastings, and item sales, but we will have LIMITED store hours:

Watershed Gin Wins Silver Medal in New York

We were thrilled to receive another award, a silver medal, in the 2011 New York International Spirits Competition for our eco-ganic Watershed Gin.

"Gin is a product in a very competitive market," said founder and distiller Becky Harris. "so we are very happy to do well in a major competition like the NYISC."  Watershed Gin is a formulation based on our eco-ganic rye spirits, with a maceration of ten herbs and spices, including juniper, coriander, anise, cinnamon, and orange peel.  Becky describes the gin as a "modern style" gin that realizes her expression of the greenness of Loudoun County, Virginia, where the gin is made.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for autumn that should prove entertaining and educational:

• December 2 - Tasting at Wagshal's Deli - Join us at Wagshal's as we pour all three of our favorite spirits!
• December 7 - Becky on the Kojo Nnamdi Show - Listen from 1-2 pm to WAMU 88.5 FM to catch Becky speaking about Whiskey with other experts from the DC area.
• December 9 - Tasting at Modern Liquors - And again, at Modern Liquors, we'll be pouring for free. Come by for a sample!
• January 14 - Distilling Workshop - Perfect as a gift for the uber-whisky enthusiast, or for anyone who would love to spend the day with us learning about distilling.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for December - The Ghost of Vesper Lynd

A Catoctin version of the real Bond cocktail.

3 oz Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Watershed Gin
1 oz Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Mosby's Spirit
1/2 oz Lillet blanc
twist of lemon peel

Combine all ingredients... shaken, not stirred.

Courtesy Chad Robinson, Brand Ambassador, Washington DC.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Latest News

Welcome to November!  November?  Honestly?  We've already had our first snow, and it seems winter is pressing quickly upon us.

In early October, we finished up our brandy production.  This year's brandy was made from Seyval blanc and Chambourcin grapes, along with the new addition of Norton to the mix.  We've now put away those casks, and we have returned to making rye.  Just in time for the holiday rush.

As the holidays approach, remember that local spirits make a perfect gift for those hard-to-shop-for friends and relatives.  If you drop by the distillery, we're happy to sign bottles for you, and we even have gift wrap!  We also have flasks, shot glasses, and shirts, so you can put together a cool distillery package for that special someone.

So drop on by the distillery, and pick up a bottle or two.

Catoctin Creek Wins Green Innovation Award

We were very happy to be named a Silver-level certified green business and awarded the Innovation Award in the 2011 Green Business Challenge.  The Green Business Challenge affirms our commitment to sustainable practices, while producing the finest rye whisky, gin, and brandy in the area. Going green means we are simultaneously preserving our environment and saving big on energy and waste expenses.

By sending our spent-mash to local farms as a nutritious cattle feed, and by recycling waste alcohol into fuel-grade ethanol, we ensure that nothing in our production process ends up in landfill. We're really proud of that!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for autumn that should prove entertaining and educational:

• November 1 - WhiskyFest New York - If you've got your tickets already, you're in good shape, because this event is SOLD OUT!  We'll be pouring our spirits at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for this one of a kind whiskey festival.
• November 26 - Tastings at Perfect Pour - We'll be offering free tastings this month, at Perfect Pour in Elkridge, Maryland.
• December 2 - Tastings at Wagshal's - The second of our free tastings, in northwest DC, just in time for the holidays.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for November - The Horse's Neck

This cocktail was featured in Flavor magazine in the fall 2011 issue and is served at The Chesapeake Room on Barracks Row in southeast DC.

1½ oz Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Roundstone Rye
Splash of ginger ale
3 dashes lemon bitters
Lemon twist
1 large ice cube

Garnish ice cube with lemon twist. Drop into an old fashioned glass. Separately, stir together rye, ginger ale, and bitters with ice. Strain and pour over prepared glass.

Recipe courtesy Henry Lewis and Jay Davis at The Chesapeake Room, and used with permission.
Photograph courtesy star5112 on Flickr and used under Creative Commons license.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Latest News

This week, we are wrapping up brandy season.  This has been a really tough year for grapes; most of the wineries have really struggled with the ridiculous amounts of rain we've gotten in September.  Too much rain at this late date leaves grapes that are watery and flavorless, not very good for wine.

Fortunately for us, the bulk of our grapes were picked before the big September rains started, and we've received some very nice wine for making into brandy this year.  The Seyval blanc was exceptional again this year, and the Chambourcin and Norton will make nice additions to the brandy.  Norton is a new grape for us, and distilling it has proven very interesting.  The grape is extremely floral and should offer some nice aromatic notes to the 2013 release of our 1757 brandy.

Wineries working with us this year on brandy are Tarara, Fabbioli, and Chrysalis.  Thanks to all of you wonderful winemakers (Jordan, Doug and Melanie, and Alan) for your efforts.

As mentioned last month, for those of you awaiting the next batch of Pearousia pear brandy, just as soon as we get done with all those grapes, we'll be getting back to work on the pear brandy, aiming to get that out by late this year.

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for autumn that should prove entertaining and educational:

• October 8 - Bottling Workshop - We'll be bottling four barrels of Roundstone Rye.  It's time to catch back up from the break we took while making brandy!  This workshop is full, but if you have your spot reserved already, we'll see you on Saturday.
• October 15-16 - Fall Color Tour 2011 - Please join us all weekend for tastings and free tours.  This is one of the most popular weekends for touring around Loudoun County and seeing local farms and businesses.  Please stop in to check us out!
• October 15 - Oktoberfest - Join us for a traditional Oktoberfest in Hamilton on Saturday night.  The price of admission includes all food and drink (provided by local butcher, Lothar), and proceeds go to a good cause.  This is going to be one heck of a great evening!
• November 1 - WhiskyFest New York - If you've got your tickets already, you're in good shape, because this event is SOLD OUT!  We'll be pouring our spirits at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for this one of a kind whiskey festival.

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for October - Castle Hill Cider Sour

How about a nice apple cider cocktail for autumn?  This one is super simple to make, and really delicious!

2 oz Catoctin Creek eco-ganic Roundstone Rye
Castle Hill Celestial sparkling cider
Dash of Peychauds bitters
1 tsp superfine sugar

Fill a shaker with ice.  Add the rye, sugar and bitters, and top off with cider.  Shake well (holding tightly, since the carbonated cider will be under pressure!), and strain into a tumbler full of ice.  Serve with a slice of apple.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Latest News

As we slide out of summer and into September, we move into brandy season.  All the rye has been put away, and we're now getting the first fruit of the year.  Fresh grapes are coming in off the vine, and that wonderful Loudoun County wine is the starting point for our second vintage of brandy.

So far, our plans this year include Seyval blanc and Chambourcin (as was done for last year), and we may throw a few other varietals in there as well, like Petit Verdot and Norton.  This should make for a truly unique Virginia brandy!

Catoctin Creek's brandy will be called simply, "1757", which is in honor of the founding date of Loudoun County.  And being the first grape brandy in Virginia since at least Prohibition, this will be a pretty special and truly historic expression.  We're still aging the last year's brandy in our large Bordeaux casks, so look for 1757 to arrive in 2012.

And for those of you awaiting the next batch of Pearousia pear brandy, just as soon as we get done with all those grapes, we'll be getting back to work on the pear brandy, aiming to get that out by late this year.

Stay tuned here for details!

A Little Humor... A Thief in the Distillery!

We get pretty busy in the back of the distillery: meeting with people, making whisky, moving barrels, etc.  So it is easy to lose track of a pug who is our ostensible watch dog.  Luckily we have a security system to capture the details.  See the video below to see what happens when a pug is left alone in the office!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for the next few weeks that should prove entertaining and educational:

• September 3 - Tiber Creek Cabaret - Looking for something different?  Join us for an evening of genre defying performances:  burlesque, sword-swallowing, belly dancing, original dramatic readings and live neo-Victorian electronic steampunk music, along with signature cocktails by Catoctin Creek.  This will be one funky event not to miss!
• September 10 - Cleveland Park Tasting - Join us for FREE samples of the award winning Roundstone Rye and Watershed Gin at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits in DC.
• September 17 - Taste History and Whiskey at Aldie Mill - Enjoy a five course dinner, paired with whiskeys from Catoctin Creek, Scotland and Kentucky, as you sit among the gears of the historic Aldie Mill.  Rich Gillespie, noted local historian, will be on hand to tell us about this history of the local area.
• September 23 - Catoctin Creek, Cigars, and Chocolates - What's not to like?  Join us for tastings of Catoctin Creek whisky, chocolates and cigars on the patio of the Blue Duck in northwest DC.  Enjoy an evening of fine whisky and chocolates, with cigars, hand-rolled in front of your eyes by an artisan cigar maker.
• September 24 - Distilling Workshop - Interested in how whisky is made?  Want a chance to help distill whisky legally?  Interested in the business of distilling?  Then this workshop is for you!  Join us as we discuss the art, science and business of distilling and end the day with a private tasting!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for September - Raspberry Vinegar Rickey

Did you weather hurricane Irene?  We've had a heck of a month of hurricanes and earthquakes!  This cocktail, a take on DC's official cocktail, the Rickey, might help take the edge off a stressful August, courtesy the Good Booze blog.

1½ oz Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin
1 Tbsp Roaring Twenties Raspberry Vinegar (didn’t make it yet? We have an alternative here)
Club soda
Lime wheels
Sugar

To make the caramelized limes: Dredge the lime wheels in sugar. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat; when the pan is hot, cook the lime wheels on each side until just lightly golden. They will be a little sticky; set aside to cool (they can also be refrigerated at this point for a day or two).

To assemble the drink: Place the caramelized lime wheel in the bottom of in a tall glass or a large wine glass and lightly muddle the fleshy center, then remove and set aside. Add one tablespoon of Raspberry Vinegar, 1.5 ounces of gin, and stir. Add several ice cubes and top with club soda. Stir well, then top with the reserved lime wheel.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky

Latest News

TASTINGS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTILLERY!

Hot on the heels of our recent distillery store opening--allowing bottle sales at the distillery--we are now also able to offer tastings at scheduled and pre-arranged times.  With the introduction of tastings, we have new store hours:

If you wish to schedule a group tour, private function, or a Sunday visit to the distillery, including tastings, please contact us.  And of course, if you like what you taste, we're delighted to sell you a bottle or two!

Distillery Closed First Week of August

Please note that from Monday, August 1 to Friday, August 5, the distillery will be CLOSED while we are on a much-needed family vacation.  We will return on August 6.  During that time, of course, bottles are still available at your local stores and restaurants.

Catoctin Creek Distillery Reviewed in Washington Post

The Washington Post highlighted Catoctin Creek Distillery as an Editors' Pick for their "Going Out Guide" in Virginia:

White whiskies are often uncomplicated and quite harsh. Catoctin’s is floral and citrusy, with a smoothness and drinkability that is the greatest testament to the care and attention to detail that the Harrises put into their operation.

Read the rest of the review, here.

Now Available in iTunes and Android Marketplace

Check out our new mobile app, now available for iPhone and Android!  The Catoctin Creek app will keep you up to date with all the latest cocktail recipes, events, videos and news of the distillery, right in your pocket.  The app is FREE, so download it today by using the QR code at right or by visiting our social media page.  Do let us know what you think!

A Crazy July - Roller Derby Girls, Charity Events, and Chefs on Harleys!

July has been a crazy month!  We were thrilled to welcome the NOVA Roller Derby team out to the distillery for a private bottling workshop.  Clad in camouflage miniskirts, high heels, fishnet stockings, and tattoos, these girls were intimidating at first, but they were all business when it came to bottling whisky.  We had a super time getting to know the team, and hope you all will check out the NOVA Roller Derby web page for news and information about the team.  We can't wait to see their first bout, coming in late summer or early autumn. (Photos courtesy Ed Felker, Mayfly Design.)

Earlier in the month, we attended a charity tasting and cocktail party at Dickson Wine Bar on U Street NW in DC.  The event raised almost $1300 for the One Home, Many Hopes girls' school in Kenya.  It was a great cause, giving resources and hope to orphaned girls in rural Kenya.  We also had a very nice time meeting so many new people in northwest DC.  For more information about the charity, visit their web site at One Home, Many Hopes Kenya, and thanks to our hosts for the evening, Dickson Wine Bar.  (Photograph by DJ and copyright by Firefly Imageworks.)

Finally, we had the great pleasure of hosting several dozen DC area chefs for a private tour and tasting, sponsored by The Georgetowner.  The "Chefs Go Fresh" event involved the chefs of several DC area restaurants donning their biking leathers, hopping on their Harleys, and cruising out to Loudoun County to see the best of our local meat, produce, wine, and yes, of course, spirits!  We were thrilled to be part of the tour and to meet so many new chefs from DC.  Here's hoping that we'll see Catoctin Creek spirits showing up in several new venues in DC and Northern Virginia soon!

Upcoming Events

As July slips into August, we turn our minds from the dog days of summer and toward the coming cooler days of autumn.  There are a variety of events planned for the next few weeks that should prove entertaining:

• August 13 - Spectator Series Tasting at Lansdowne Resort - Come join us for tapas and cocktails at On the Potomac restaurant at Lansdowne Resort.  In collaboration with Farm to Fork, the event will feature a variety of locally-sourced food, along with featured cocktails from Catoctin Creek.
• September 3 - Tiber Creek Cabaret - Looking for something different?  Join us for an evening of genre defying performances:  burlesque, sword-swallowing, belly dancing, original dramatic readings and live neo-Victorian electronic steampunk music, along with signature cocktails by Catoctin Creek.  This will be one funky event not to miss!
• September 17 - Taste History and Whiskey at Aldie Mill - Enjoy a five course dinner, paired with whiskeys from Catoctin Creek, Scotland and Kentucky, as you sit among the gears of the historic Aldie Mill.  Rich Gillespie, noted local historian, will be on hand to tell us about this history of the local area.
• September 23 - Catoctin Creek, Cigars, and Chocolates - What's not to like?  Join us for tastings of Catoctin Creek whisky, chocolates and cigars on the patio of the Blue Duck in northwest DC.  Enjoy an evening of fine whisky and chocolates, with cigars, hand-rolled in front of your eyes by an artisan cigar maker.
• September 24 - Distilling Workshop - Interested in how whisky is made?  Want a chance to help distill whisky legally?  Interested in the business of distilling?  Then this workshop is for you!  Join us as we discuss the art, science and business of distilling and end the day with a private tasting!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for Summer - Cool Hand Cuke

What better way to escape the dog days of summer than with this cool refresher?

1 1/2 oz Catoctin Creek Mosby's Spirit
Sliced cucumber, diced
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
Thin slice of cucumber, for garnish

Muddle the diced cucumber in a rocks glass and add ice. Mix the Mosby's Spirit, lime juice and simple syrup in a tumbler and pour over ice and cucumber. Stir well and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky