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News and Press Releases - 2024

The Best Rye Whiskey Under $50 - Punch

Thrilled to be listed first in Punch's latest article, The Best Rye Whiskey Under $50.  From the article:

Catoctin Creek’s Roundstone Rye has a 100 percent rye mash bill, but doesn’t read like the spice bomb one might expect. The Virginia distillery, founded in 2009 by husband and wife Scott and Becky Harris, selects 10 percent of its aging barrels—those deemed to have desirable or interesting flavor profiles—to be bottled at a slightly higher proof as single-barrel offerings in the “Distiller’s Edition” line. This bottling has notes of burnt sugar and, thanks to the higher proof, a more oily texture, which makes it just as enjoyable to drink neat as mixed into a cocktail.

You can see the full review, here.

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9.5 Rating and Editor's Choice - American Whiskey

We are thrilled with the recent rating of Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof.  Peggy rated it a 9.5, and Susan a 9.2, both solid scores for a solid whisky.  Peggy notes:

An almost port foundation of aromas.  Butterscotch candy coating and pie crust.  Whiffs of dill appear and become quite fragrant.  Milk chocolate surprise.

What's more, we also showed up in a fun little article about pairing with foods.  I think a nice, juicy reuben and rye whisky sounds pretty delicious, don't you?

You can get your copy of the magazine, here.

  • Tasting Notes
  • Tasting Notes

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Press Release: Catoctin Creek Releases 10 year old 1757 Virginia XO Brandy Bottled-in-Bond

Local distillery celebrates 15 years with super-limited XO brandy produced from local grapes

PURCELLVILLE, VA. (July 26, 2024) - - - Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, continues its 15 year anniversary celebrations with the release of its Catoctin Creek 1757® Virginia XO Brandy Bottled-in-Bond.  Crafted exclusively from 100% Virginia grapes, sourced meticulously from esteemed local vintners including Fabbioli Cellars, this brandy showcases the essence of Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin grapes.  Only 173 bottles were produced in this year's production, so it will be extremely limited, available through the Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC distribution area, the distillery's online store and in the tasting room while bottles last.

The 1757 XO brandy goes on sale to the public on August 2, at 8:00am.  It is bottled at 50% ABV.  SRP for a 750mL bottle is $89.

Matured under the rigorous standards of the Bottled-In-Bond Act, this 10-year-old expression embodies unparalleled quality and character. Each sip unveils a symphony of flavors, from the luscious fruitiness of Vidal Blanc to the bold, robust notes of Chambourcin, all harmonizing into a complex and nuanced palate. Catoctin Creek 1757 XO Brandy is a testament to Virginia's viticultural excellence and the artistry of small-batch distillation.

"Its deep amber hue and luxurious viscosity captivate the eye, while its aroma delights with tangy flamed orange peel," noted Master Distiller and Founder, Becky Harris.  "On the palate, candied citrus with a kiss of smoke and earth resolves into a hint of sweet tarragon, coriander, and golden raisin, culminating in a long finish with subtle pear earthiness."

"When we first started Catoctin Creek, way back in January of 2010, we finally had all of our equipment in place," recalled Scott Harris, Founder and General Manager.  "We'd spent months previously getting licensed, renting a space, and getting the equipment delivered and set up."

"In the rush to get all of that work done," continues Scott, "we completely forgot that we'd need something to distill for our first batch!"  Panicked, the Harrises turned to Doug Fabbioli, a friend and renowned local vintner at Fabbioli Cellars, north of Leesburg on Lime Kiln Road.  Doug had offered "If you ever need anything, give me a call!"

A friend in need is a friend indeed!  We called Doug, and told him we needed something to distill.  Without hesitation, Doug jumped in his truck with 50 gallons of pear wine.  Over the next six hours, we distilled out the most beautiful pear brandy from that pear wine.  Doug stayed for the entire distillation.

At the end of the process, Scott turned to Doug and asked, "Doug, you saved us!  What can we pay you for the pear wine?"

Doug replied, "Nothing.  I just want to work with you for the next twenty years!"  Amazing.

That kind of collaboration and friendship has set the standard for our work for the next fifteen years!  We continue to work with Doug to this day.

"When Catoctin Creek announced their efforts to open here in Loudoun, I knew how important it that was for our burgeoning wine industry," remarked Doug. "This addition gave us a place to have wine processed into brandy which enhanced our offerings at the winery as well as in the region. The quality level of their processing enhances our wine region even further for the foodies and craft beverage aficionados. Thank you, Scott and Becky, for joining our journey in your own style and craftsmanship!"

Here's to many more years!

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 throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia and Europe. 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.

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The Bourbon Life Podcast - Interview with Rebecca Harris

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to Northern, Virginia to visit Rebecca Harris from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company.

Becky takes the big man through the history of Catoctin Creek and their Virginia Rye Whiskies. After years of being a chemical engineer she, along with her husband, started this craft distillery in Purcellville, Virginia.

Their passion is rye whiskey done their way. All her products begin with the finest local and organic grains to create the cleanest spirit possible. At the heart of the distillery is a pair of pot stills, where Becky insists on cooking the distillate for a full nine hours, more than twice as long as most other distilleries, to create the unique and award-winning flavors in her distillate.

They start the show with the Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition. Only one in every ten barrels gets selected to be in the Roundstone Rye "92 Proof" whisky. This 100% rye mash-bill is something special.

They then move on to the cask proof version of our ever-popular Roundstone Rye.  Released at approximately 58% ABV (it varies depending on the individual barrels), this is seriously strong whisky!  Delicious, dark, complex and ridiculously smooth for the proof

To start the second half Becky and Big Chief sip on Rabble Rouser Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey. "Where Roundstone Rye is sort of restrained and elegant," says Scott Harris, founder of the distillery, "Rabble Rouser is more unruly and vivacious.".

To finish the show Becky treats the big man Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye. Just as you're savoring the whisky, the peppers come in with a surprising and delightful bit of heat.  Smooth and sweet, with a ZING!  This is a fun one!

You can link to the show on Spotify, here.

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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: Distillery Profile - Catoctin Creek

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of the United Kingdom is a storied old whisky club dating back over 40 years.  The organization has grown to appreciate more than just Scotch whisky, but also whisk(e)y from around the world.  They publish a periodical for their members, and this month, Catoctin Creek was highlighted in their distillery profile.  Lee "Connas" Conner writes:

Although Rebecca’s background is as a chemical engineer, she clearly advocates the philosophy of the distilling process being a hands-on process, where the operators communicate and adapt according to what happens during production.

“You have a relationship with your still, it’s like a living creature, it has moods. Sometimes it can be difficult, but you get a feel for how it runs and how to control it. I instil this into our team when we’re training them, you just have to feel it!”

This relationship and human involvement with the whiskey endures right the way through to cask selection, as Rebecca explains.

“Obviously we want a degree of uniformity with our end product, but some casks can turn out sweeter than others, or spicier and so on,” she says. “When I put a batch together what I’m looking for is absolute consistency of flavour. For instance, I like our 80 per cent proof [40% abv] to be easy drinking and not too overpowering. Whereas our Distiller’s Edition [46% abv] is a little bit spicier. For me it’s about flavour delivery – even our cask proof whiskey is very much about flavour before the heat from alcohol.”

Scott agrees: “I must say, Catoctin presents very well at cask proof, our lighter side of rye fits well with no dilution in my opinion.”

You can read the full article, here.

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