The VA250 Gin – A Botanical Exploration of Virginia
Presenting: The VA250 Commemorative Gin The VA250 gin is built on a traditional “London dry” profile. Juniper forward, there also are notes of angelica, coriander, orris root and lemon peel. Having honored gin’s deep historic legacy, the team then wove in Native Virginia top notes of pawpaw, rose, sassafras and sumac, with exotic flourishes of […]
Virginia Spirits 101: American Single Malt
So, we’ve talked about Virginia’s top produced spirit: whiskey – we’ve even done a deep dive into bourbon, a whiskey made with at least 51 percent corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels – but we’ve only just alluded to the new and exciting category of American Single Malt. A spirit that has developed […]
Meet the 2025 First Landing Cup Winners
It’s time to toast to the best of Virginia! The results are in for the inaugural First Landing Cup, a first-of-its-kind competition of distilled spirits made right here in the Old Dominion. Last month, a world-class panel of judges came to Richmond, Virginia, to taste 108 craft spirits from 33 distilleries across the commonwealth. A […]
Belly Up to the Bar: Lessons Before You Take a Sip of Whiskey
Adapted excerpt from Make it a Double: From Wretched to Wondrous: Tales of One Woman’s Lifelong Discovery of Whiskey Learning the art – or act for some of us – of whiskey nosing and tasting is a most pleasurable task, made more agreeable by the fact that it must be done with great repetition. But […]
A Whiskey Lover’s Guide to Virginia Whiskey Clubs
For all the whiskey fanatics out there, you haven’t made it until you’ve joined an exclusive club at your local distillery. With these perks, you’ll have special access to tastings, barrel production and releases like never before. Here are some of the top Virginia Whiskey Clubs to choose from: Alligator Char Society by Reservoir Distillery […]
Virginia Spirits 101: Brandy
Gin, moonshine, brandy, vodka and whiskey. While these are all some of the top-produced spirits in Virginia, one of these is not like the other.
Traditionally speaking, distilled spirits come from the mashing and fermentation of grains. Brandy, on the other hand, comes from distilling fruit juice or wine. In fact, the name comes from the Dutch word “brandewijn,” which means “burnt wine.” […]
Virginia Spirits 101: Gin
Maybe you’ve wondered why there isn’t an abundance of Virginia “tequila” filling up the shelves at Virginia ABC stores near you. At the end of the day, the spirits we know as “tequila” can only be produced in Mexico. The legal definition just doesn’t allow for an entirely local, Virginia tequila. Dating back to 1974, […]
Virginia Spirits 101: Bourbon
So, we’ve already shared a deep dive on whiskey in the commonwealth (read it here), but what about just bourbon? Maybe you’re a connoisseur and don’t need the play-by-play, but if you’re a casual sipper or just curious, here’s what you need to know. Whiskey is the top produced spirit in Virginia with just about […]
Virginia Spirits 101: Vodka
Maybe you’ve wondered why there isn’t an abundance of Virginia “tequila” filling up the shelves at Virginia ABC stores near you. At the end of the day, the spirits we know as “tequila” can only be produced in Mexico. The legal definition just doesn’t allow for an entirely local, Virginia tequila. Dating back to 1974, […]
Virginia Spirits 101: Rum
Maybe you’ve wondered why there isn’t an abundance of Virginia “tequila” filling up the shelves at Virginia ABC stores near you. At the end of the day, the spirits we know as “tequila” can only be produced in Mexico. The legal definition just doesn’t allow for an entirely local, Virginia tequila. Dating back to 1974, […]