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News and Press Releases - 2024

Press Release: Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye® earns SILVER at American Craft Spirits Awards

The Virginia Rye Whisky℠ distillery wins silver at premier industry competition

DENVER, CO. (March 5, 2024) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, earned a silver medal for it's Hot Honey Rye® at the 2024 American Craft Spirits Association Awards in Denver, Colorado. The ACSA awards are the only industry-lead competition which performs double-blind evaluation by experts in the trade.

The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national association of craft distillers governed by craft distillers. Now in its eleventh year, the ACSA advocates for craft spirits in all aspects of the industry, from education to best practices, government affairs to consumer accessibility. More information about ACSA can be found at https://americancraftspirits.org.

“We are delighted to win this silver medal,” said Scott Harris, founder and general manager of Catoctin Creek. “The ACSA competition has always been the most strict, most difficult to medal in. Getting a bronze at ACSA is like getting gold in any other competition. We couldn't be happier with the results.”

About Catoctin Creek Distilling: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky℠, was founded by Scott and Becky Harris in 2009. Inspired by the history and craft of Virginia, Catoctin Creek made a name for itself as the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Purcellville, Virginia’s Loudoun County. The independent craft distillery is home to Virginia’s most-awarded whisky, Roundstone Rye, which has been presented gold medals across the globe and stands out through its old-world production methods. Catoctin Creek prides itself on making rye whisky, gin, and seasonal brandy from local grains and fruits, with spirits available in 26 states and 2 continents. The Harris’ intricate attention to detail results in high quality internationally acclaimed products, including seasonal releases and private cask offerings, that recognize the true craft of Virginia spirits. For more information, call (540) 751-3294 or visit CatoctinCreek.com. Follow Catoctin Creek on Instagram, Blue Sky, Mastodon and Facebook.

ACSA Silver 2024

Silver

Hot Honey Rye

Read more …Press Release: Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye® earns SILVER at American Craft Spirits Awards

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Inside Hook: Exceptional Barrel-Finish Whiskeys

Inside Hook is back with a survey of exceptional barrel-finish whiskeys. We are glad to make the cut, once again.

As part of its Barrel Select program, Catoctin produces several customized versions of its core Roundstone Rye, each rested an additional six months to a year in other barrels. Two of the most popular, according to founder Scott Harris, are those finished in barrels used to age maple or hickory syrup, available in limited quantities twice each year. The extra aging and the remnant smoky hickory bark syrup notes create a darker, richer and velvety cask-strength product that is easy to sip, or blends well into classic rye cocktails for a little smoke-and-spice variety.

You can see the full review, here.

Read more …Inside Hook: Exceptional Barrel-Finish Whiskeys

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Press Release: Catoctin Creek celebrates 15 years, releases six-year-old Rabble Rouser Rye

The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠ distillery marks 15 years in business with its oldest release yet of a celebrated Bottled-In-Bond whisky

PURCELLVILLE, VA. (January 8, 2024) - - - Pioneering the revival of artisanal distillation in Purcellville, Virginia, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, is set to mark its impressive 15-year journey on February 14, 2024. Founded in 2009 by the husband and wife team, Scott and Becky Harris, who continue to lead as owner/operators of the independently-owned and most awarded distillery in Virginia.

To commemorate this milestone, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. proudly unveils its most mature release to date – the six-year-old Rabble Rouser Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whisky.

<record scratch> WAIT, WHAT?

Six years old?!  That's crazy!

Yes, it is.  Read on...

Distilled exclusively from 100% rye during the fall season of 2017 and bottled in bond, this expression of Rabble is blended from the first set of 53-gallon charred, new oak barrels used by the company for maturing their signature rye whisky.

Becky was previously limited to 30-gallon barrels since her 1993 Ford Ranger was the main Barrel Transport Vehicle (BTV). Her team was unloading and moving all these barrels by hand at the horse barn which was the warehouse until 2017.

The first plan Becky made upon getting a warehouse with a concrete floor and a forklift was to start transitioning the Bottled-in-Bond product to larger format barrels, which also improved losses from the "angel's share." (Sorry, angels.)

"I am incredibly excited to share this year's product with everyone and to celebrate this milestone in the business," said Becky Harris, co-founder, chief distiller and president of the distillery.

Reflecting on the journey, Scott Harris, Becky's husband and co-founder and general manager, remarked, “It has been an incredible fifteen years. In some ways, it feels like we just started yesterday. Just like our kids, this baby of ours is now all grown up!  When we started, we just wanted to sell some whisky to Virginia ABC, and today, we can be found all over the world.  It's just amazing!”

The Rabble Rouser release is scheduled to hit the market on February 14, 2024, at 8:00 am, available both through online channels and Catoctin Creek's extensive network of national distributors. With only a limited quantity of a few thousand bottles released this year, the Bottled-In-Bond expression boasts a robust 100 proof and is offered in 750 mL bottles at $99.99 each.

Press samples and hi-res photos are available upon request.  Please contact us here.

About Catoctin Creek Distilling: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, was founded by Scott and Becky Harris in 2009. Inspired by the history and craft of Virginia, Catoctin Creek made a name for itself as the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Purcellville, Virginia’s Loudoun County. The independent craft distillery is home to Virginia’s most-awarded whisky, Roundstone Rye, which has been presented gold medals across the globe and stands out through its old-world production methods. Catoctin Creek prides itself on making rye whisky, gin, and seasonal brandy from local grains and fruits, with spirits available nationwide and on three continents. The Harris’ intricate attention to detail results in high quality internationally acclaimed products, including seasonal releases and private cask offerings, that recognize the true craft of Virginia spirits. For more information, call (540) 751-3294 or visit CatoctinCreek.com. Follow Catoctin Creek on Instagram, Blue Sky, Mastodon and Facebook.

  • Loading Catoctin Creek barrels into the barn, circa 2017.

  • Loading Catoctin Creek barrels into the barn, circa 2017.

  • Loading Catoctin Creek barrels into the barn, circa 2017.

  • Loading Catoctin Creek barrels into the barn, circa 2017.

  • Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whisky

Read more …Press Release: Catoctin Creek celebrates 15 years, releases six-year-old Rabble Rouser Rye

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