Virginia Living did a neat little story about the history of whiskey (whisky) from the beginning of the country - Jamestown in the early 1600's.  Robert Nelson writes:

However, Virginians are reclaiming their heritage and even beating their Kentucky brethren at international competitions. And many of them are doing it using Virginia ingredients in every step of the process. “You have Virginia grain, Blue Ridge water, Virginia white oak, Virginia-made barrels, and other specifically Virginia ingredients getting worked together in this hot Virginia climate,” Harris says. “Virginia whiskey is unique to this place for all kinds of reasons. What we’re definitely finding is that this Virginia flavor is something that translates well around the world.”

You can read the full story, here.  Illustration by Zohar Lazar for Virginia Living.