So very cool to have a great review from Bourbon Paddy, who reviews whiskey from his home near Dublin, Ireland. As we are just starting our entrance into the UK market (not Ireland just yet, unfortunately), it's great to see Paddy's detailed review.  From the review, he writes:

This is a very nice easy drinking rye whisky; it’s smooth, flavourful, well-balanced, and not just an over-oaked fiery wall of young rye spice and barrel char. What stands out for me is despite coming across young and grain forward on the nose, those bold and spicy rye grain notes are very well balanced by the rest of the flavours as you sip giving a spicy rye with a fruity edge. At times it is hard to believe that this is a 100% rye mashbill because of all the beautiful flavour notes that emerge as you chew this; however, I put this down to the fact that this isn’t sourced (so no familiar MGP notes here) and Catoctin’s considerate approach when making this whisky.

You can read the full review, which includes detailed notes on nose, palate, finish, as well as production notes, here.

Photo courtesy Bourbon Paddy.

On Wednesday night, Scott Harris, founder and general manager of Catoctin Creek, appeared on Fox 5 evening news to talk taxes, economic development, and whisky sours.  Key points raised during the quick interview:

• The reduction in Federal Excise Tax has allowed small businesses like ours to invest in jobs--good high paying jobs--that improve our local community.
• We also invest in other businesses like farms and other suppliers, further boosting the local economy.
• The tax savings allow us to invest in our own business with about $1M more of equipment coming online in the next year, allowing us to get more of our product to more people.
• And finally, May is whisky sours month at Catoctin Creek, and a hibiscus, strawberry, lime whisky sour is a beautiful thing!

Watch the full clip, here.

It was very nice to receive a 90 point review from WhiskyCast this week! We definitely enjoy seeing other people's tasting notes. Palates can be very subjective and vary from person to person, but it's always nice when they like our whisky! From the review:

Score: 90 points

This edition is bottled at 46% ABV, compared to the 40% strength of the standard Roundstone Rye, and the difference clearly shows. The nose is very aromatic with notes of honey, butterscotch, bitter lemon, linseed oil, and muted spices. The taste is tart and spicy with cinnamon and clove balanced by lemon zest, honey, vanilla, and a nice touch of butterscotch that comes out late and sticks around through the finish, along with muted spices and a touch of lemon zest. Nice!

You can read the full review, here.

You eat, live and breathe this region. Who better to judge which restaurant has the best bite to eat, which store delivers the greatest products and which venue offers the most entertaining events? So, Northern Virginians, tell us the local spots that make living here all worth your while.

Thank you to all the great readers of Northern Virginia Magazine who voted Catoctin Creek as Best Distillery for 2018!  We are delighted with the news!

Look for more in the upcoming June issue of the magazine!

Coming soon!

Women have worked hard to win some of the most rewarding and difficult jobs in a male- dominated industry – distilling fine spirits and brewing beer. Join our conversation and sampling with four women who’ve blazed trails to craft acclaimed spirits and world-famous beers: Lesley Gracie, Master Distiller for Hendrick’s Gin, Becky Harris, Chief Distiller for Catoctin Creek, Allison Parc, creator of Brenne Single Malt Whisky, Hollie Stephenson, Head Brewer for Guinness North America.

If you are not able to personally be present at the Total Wine Livestream event this weekend, here is a link to the Livestream on YouTube, or continue to watch this space on Saturday, March 3, 4pm.

We are very pleased that Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof was a category winner at the World Whiskies Awards 2018.  It won for the category of Best American Rye under 12 years of age. 

You can read the full article, here.

Nice mention on the Travel Channel web site:

[O]ne of the top boutique rye makers in the country, Catoctin Creek Distilling in Purcellville, Virginia.

Award-winners for their Virginia-crafted 80 and [92] proof rye, Catoctin Creek was singled out recently for a Good Food Awards for those distinctive spirits.

This family-run distillery in Loudon, County Virginia produces rye, gin and brandy from local Virginia wines. Forbes offered this enticing description of Catoctin’s Roundstone Single Barrel Rye Whisky, “Delicate at first, this single-barrel rye gains in strength on the tongue, with flashes of herb, pear, white chocolate, whole-grain toast, and gentle spice.” Sold!

Read the full story, here.

If you're purchasing whiskey for the holidays, Forbes has a nice recommendation: us!

Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. Roundstone Single Barrel Rye Whiskey &endash; Purcellville, VA (SRP $45)

Delicate at first, this single-barrel rye gains in strength on the tongue, with flashes of herb, pear, white chocolate, whole-grain toast, and gentle spice.

Read the full article, here.

Want to get your hands on some Rabble Rouser? Astor Wines & Spirits in NYC has some at a great price!! From their review:

Staff Pick Notes

Do you long for a robust whiskey? Rabble Rouser is easily the best I've had all year. What it lacks in age statement and pedigree is more than made up for with real character. Tasting it for the first time, I enjoyed a depth of flavor I've never experienced with another rye. It reminded me of Belgian waffles baked dark and chocolate chip cookies without the sugar. Big spice, too. This caramelized grain flavor is the antithesis of what people dislike about young craft whiskey, that unresolved raw flour sensation on the mid-palate. In a category full of heritage brands, scarcity performs a strange seduction. I guess some people enjoy the hunt for whatever the whiskey blogs are talking about, but if you'd like something more than a trophy, give Catoctin Creek a shot.

- TT

Read the full review and order the product, here. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!

The Good Food Awards has named two of Catoctin Creek's products -- Roundstone Rye 80 Proof and Roundstone Rye 92 Proof -- in their 2018 spirits category.  The press release for the Good Food Awards writes [bold highlights ours]:

The 15 categories the Good Food Awards celebrate -- from spirits to cheese to coffee -- comprise over $200 billion in America's gross domestic product, a greater portion than the cattle and pork industries combined. The 2018 Finalists represent the vanguard in each of their industries, setting new standards for gastronomic excellence as well as social and environmental practices that have over time proven to be adopted by the rest of the industry. Each Finalist rose to the top in a blind tasting of 2,057 entries, and also passed a rigorous vetting to confirm they meet Good Food Awards standards regarding supply chain transparency, environmentally sound agricultural practices, humane animal husbandry and deep community engagement.

View the complete list of 2018 Good Food Awards finalists, here.

Jack Berninger does a really nice profile piece on the distillery and what motivated us to get started with rye.  Quoting the story:

"We settled on rye for three reasons,” Scott said. “No. 1, it was delicious; 2, nobody was making anything like it at the time. It was unique; and 3, it was the historical whiskey grain of Virginia.

Those seemed like good reasons to hitch our wagon to the rye train.”

You can read the full story, here.

Catoctin Creek featured prominently in a news story on the US/UK free trade relationship. You can view the story, here:

And read further background on the topic, here.