Founded in 2009 by husband-and-wife duo Scott and Becky Harris, Catoctin Creek prides itself on tradition. Which makes sense, given it’s the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Virginia’s Loudoun County. The craft distillery is renowned for its award-winning, clean spirits.
For the pronunciation police (no judgments), Catoctin is pronounced “Ka-TOCK-tin.” Derived from the Indian tribal name Kittocton, it translates roughly to “place of many deer.” If that doesn’t paint a mental picture of the Purcellville, Virginia, distillery where this 92 proof rye originates, then maybe you need another shot of whiskey.
100% rye grain
Nose
Begins with mint, spice, and oak on the nose.
Palate
Rich and warming tones of butterscotch and maple, with peppery spice throughout.
Finish
Leather and oak notes linger on the palate.
Gold Medal, 2016 Wizards of Whisky World Awards
Gold Medal, 2015 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition
When it comes to drinking rye, you do you. Or you can do what Catoctin Creek owners Scott and Becky Harris suggest and mix your Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition 92 Proof in the Virginia Commonwealth cocktail:
3 ounces Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Distiller’s Edition 92 Proof
½ ounce Mt. Defiance sweet vermouth
½ ounce Ramazzotti amaro
3 dashes Hella orange bitters
Lemon twist for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Stir, strain into a coupe, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Kidding. We just need to see some ID. Are you 21 or older?
