2019 Q3 Spirited VA - R2

SPECIAL SPONSORED CONTENT

SPIRITS IN VIRGINIA:

DEAR FRIENDS,
VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS is one of the most
beloved and well-known tourism slogans in
the world. The slogan was created in 1969, and
still resonates today. As we celebrate 50 Years
of LOVE, I can think of no better time to raise a
glass (with Virginia-made craft spirits, of course)
and toast to everything that makes Virginia
such a special place to live, work, and visit.
This summer, we will be commemorating our 50th anniversary with
events, activations, discounts, deals, and special packages across
the state. Additionally, our friends at Virginia ABC have created an
exclusive Virginia is for Spirits Lovers 50th Anniversary recipe book,
made especially for people who love spirits crafted here in Virginia.
After all, Virginia is the birthplace of American Distilled Spirits - the
first batch of whiskey was distilled here in the Commonwealth in 1620.
Today, Virginia is home to more than 50 distilleries (and counting). We
can also claim the titles of World's Best Bourbon and Best American
Single Malt Whisky, as named by Whisky magazine. Whether you enjoy
bourbon, moonshine, whisky, rum or vodka, Virginia makers provide
the best of the bottle. Those spirits provide the perfect pour for one
of the delicious specialty cocktails found within the 50th Anniversary
recipe book!
When you're not enjoying a tasty Virginia-inspired cocktail, we hope
you'll take part in some of the activities and activations across the
state. To find a 50 Years of LOVE event or promotion near you, just
visit www.virginia.org/50YearsOfLove. There are so many things to
experience and so much to discover, from coast to cliff, from small
towns to big cities. We hope you will join us in celebrating all summer
long, and that you'll discover for yourself why Virginia is for Lovers.

R I TA D. M C C L E N N Y
P R E S I D E N T & C E O, V I R G I N I A T O U R I S M C O R P O R A T I O N

A RICH AND
TA S T E F U L H I S T O R Y
Virginia has been first in so
many things in American
history, and the spirits realm
is no exception. In 1620, a
British-born colonist named
George Thorpe distilled the
first batch of whiskey made
from corn-the seed of all
corn-made moonshine and
bourbon whiskey in America.
By the 1700s, Scottish
and Irish settlers were
making whiskey without
aging it, a technique that
became a tradition in the
mountain regions of the
state. And in 1786 a new
Virginia county-Bourbon
County-was formed. That
land today comprises the
34 northeastern counties of
Kentucky, including one still
named Bourbon.
By the end of the 1700s,
George Washington was
operating the largest
whiskey distillery in the
state, producing some
11,000 gallons per year.
(Reconstruction of the longlost distillery began in 2005
and was completed in 2007.)
By 1810, Virginia was home
to some 3,600 distilleries.
The challenges of the Civil
War and then Prohibition
cut that number drastically,
and gave way to the golden
era of moonshine-illegally
produced spirits. One hot
spot was Franklin County,
which earned its reputation
as the Moonshine Capital
of the World during the
1920-33 era, with the county
(population 24,000) often

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3

50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE RECIPE BOOK

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http://www.virginia.org/50YearsOfLove
2019 Q3 Spirited VA

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