SPVAQ32020 - 11

whiskey (pure Virginia mountain maple
syrup-blended with the bourbon, for a
special richness), apple pie moonshine
or blackberry moonshine. Tasting room.
Facebook @CCDWhiskey
D

Chesapeake Bay Distillery,
Virginia Beach

Established in 2005, Chesapeake Bay
Distillery focused from the beginning
on "the cleanest spirits possible," so
consumers could enjoy the interplay
of the ingredients on the palate without
off flavors interfering. Products include
the flagship, corn-based Spirits of the
Blue Ridge Vodka; Chick's Beach Rum,
made with organic panela (unrefined
whole-cane) sugar and wild yeast; Mutiny
Island Vodka, the world's first breadfruit
vodka; Ghost Pepper Infused Vodka
with smoked ghost peppers; and three
unique, herb-focused products under
the Dr. Stoner's label-Fresh Herb Vodka,
Herb Whiskey and Hierba Loca Blue
Agave Tequila. Tasting room and tours.
ChesapeakeBayDistillery.com
E Copper Fox Distillery,

Williamsburg

Copper Fox was the first distillery in the
U.S. to floor malt their own barley-using
distinctive local woods, presenting flavor
notes that make Copper Fox whiskey
distinctively tasty. The original distillery
started in Rappahannock County in
2005, with the second distillery added
in Williamsburg in 2016. Whiskies make
up the bulk of the lineup, utilizing grains
and malts that really make the spirits
shine-like the Original Rye Whiskey,
made with thoroughbred grains from
Virginia's Northern Neck, kiln-dried with
applewood and cherrywood smoke. Also
worth seeking out is Vir Gin, enhanced
with a botanical blend of Mediterranean
juniper plus various seasonal offerings.
Tasting room and tours of distilling
and malting. CopperFoxDistillery.
comwilliamsburg-distillery-tours

F

Eight Shires Coloniale
American Distillery,
Williamsburg

The history that infuses Colonial
Williamsburg has spilled over to Eight
Shires. "We try to make it our theme to
cover the period of American distillation
from 1620-1775," explains Bill Dodson,
owner. The name represents the Virginia
colony's eight legal regions-shires, like
counties. The distilling process improved
greatly during the colonial period, and
Eight Shires' equipment mirrors the best
of the time. Even ingredients represent
the period, including heritage Indian
corn and colonial-style molasses. So
besides producing Caribbean-style rum,
historic Genever gin, and whiskey, Eight
Shires works to research, preserve and
teach Colonial distillation. Tasting room
(including Colonial-style drinks) and
tours. 8Shires.com
G Ironclad Distillery,

Newport News

Operating out of a historic building, the
distillery is in sight of the location of
the 1862 Battle of Hampton Roads on
the James River, the first confrontation
between two ironclad warships. The
family that owns and runs Ironclad
Distillery produces bourbon only. The
small-batch Ironclad bourbon uses
Virginia corn, wheat and rye as well
as malted barley and is aged for one
year in new American oak barrels. Like
some of the best Scotches, its aging is
influenced in part by the brackish air.
Look for cask-aged variations such as
maple, red wine and coffee. Tours and
tasting room. IroncladDistillery.com
H

R.D. Wilhelm Distilling,
Norfolk

Spirited Virginia readers may recognize
the name Karl Dornemann from a
previous "Behind the Bar" installment.
This talented bartender and restaurateur
has started a distillery, named after his

father, Reverend Doctor William, with
Reverend Spirits on the labels. For a
sanctified start, Dornemann consulted
with master distiller Dave Pickerell. The
distillery focuses on straight bourbon,
straight rye and Old Tom Gin. No tasting
room, but spirits available onsite.
Facebook @RDWilhelmDistillery
I

Tarnished Truth Distilling
Company, Virginia Beach

Nestled within the renovated historic
Cavalier Hotel, Tarnished Truth
recalls the history of Prohibition
and bootlegging in its branding. The
distillery produces bourbon, rye, gin,
vodka, bourbon cream and, of course,
moonshine. Aside from the distillery gift
shop, Tarnished Truth offers an option
even better than a tasting room: The
Hunt Room restaurant and bar. Belly up
to the bar or settle in at a table for tasting
flights or a diversity of cocktails featuring
Tarnished Truth spirits - along with a
full dining menu, beer and wine. Tasting
room plus restaurant and bar with food,
beer and wine. TarnishedTruth.com
J

Three Brothers Distillery,
Chesapeake

Three Brothers, located off the beaten
path in Disputanta, offers big flavor.
This artisan distillery got nationwide
attention when it received a makeover
from Moonshiners: Whiskey Business.
In 2019, Moonshiners star Tim Smith
visited the craft distillery and filmed his
suggestions for a tasting room upgrade,
speakeasy-style. Three Brothers offers
Kablam corn whiskey (think moonshine)
and Silver Dolphin navy-strength gin (114
proof with a flavor profile that diminishes
the juniper), with Steel Fish rye whiskey
scheduled for release in summer 2020.
Tasting room. ThreeBrothersWhiskey.
com

-Annie Tobey

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2020 11
http://www.8Shires.com http://www.ChesapeakeBayDistillery.com http://www.TarnishedTruth.com http://www.IroncladDistillery.com https://www.threebrotherswhiskey.com/
SPVAQ32020

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