SPVAQ42021 - 12

DISTILLERIES
Catoctin Creek Distilling
From Virginia and enjoyed in Virginia, Catoctin acts as a
commonwealth ambassador across the U.S. and beyond.
C
atoctin Creek Distilling is
infused with Virginia, from its
products to its branding. Founded in
2009, the distillery and tasting room
makes their home in Loudoun County's
picturesque Purcellville, an 18th-century
settlement with a small-town feel,
packed full of restaurants, boutiques
and other must-visit businesses. Like
many of its Purcellville neighbors,
Catoctin Creek resides in a historic
building.
" Our building is 100
years old this year, "
says Scott Harris, who
co-owns the business
with his wife, head
distiller Becky Harris.
" It was built in 1921 as
Purcellville's first Buick dealership. "
The search for the distillery's Virginia
focus begins on its logo. The circular
roundel displays a flowering dogwood
blossom, from the commonwealth's
state flower. Catoctin Creek's
capstone product, the award-winning
Roundstone Rye, pays tribute to the
state, too. " The Virginia Rye Whiskey "
is made from 100% rye grain, locally
sourced when available, and created
completely at the Purcellville distillery.
" We're making whiskey in the
traditional Virginia style, " adds Scott.
In addition to using Virginia ingredients,
Catoctin Creek uses traditional distilling
techniques and pot stills, ages the spirit
in the Virginia climate and uses Virginia
wood in the barrel.
Despite their emphasis on Virginia,
neither Scott nor Becky was born or
raised in the commonwealth.
" Becky is from Wisconsin, and I was an
Army brat, " says Scott, " but we've lived
in Virginia for the past 25 years. This is
home for us-we're not going anywhere. "
Other year-round Catoctin Creek spirits
highlight Virginia, too.
Beginning with its name, Watershed
Gin pays respect to the Chesapeake
Bay watershed, which covers much
of Virginia. The gin begins with rye
spirit, which gives it
" a really sweet velvety
base to build upon, "
notes Harris. Done
in the modern style,
it highlights mulling
spices like coriander
and cinnamon over
juniper and citrus.
Catoctin Creek brandies start with
100% Virginia fruit. The 1757 Virginia
Brandy sources grapes from a vineyard
10 minutes from the distillery and takes
its name from the year Loudoun County
was founded. Other brandies-pear,
peach and apple-capture the essence
of the fruit. Each one is made entirely
using each fruit's juice, with no added
extracts, sugar or artificial flavorings. The
juice is fermented, distilled and aged in
white oak casks for one to four years.
Catoctin Creek enjoys the chance to
play with special releases, too. Among
Scott Harris's favorites is Ragnarök, made
for the band GWAR-complete with
plenty of colorful branding. The spirit
is a rye aged in white oak, then finished
with cherry wood and sugar maple. Or,
if you read the official description of the
12 SPIRITED VIRGINIA
SPVAQ42021

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