Exploring the Spice of Whiskey: Virginia Rye Whiskey

"George Washington’s gristmill and rye‑whiskey operation at Mount Vernon grew from a practical farming enterprise into one of the most successful early industrial ventures in the young United States. Washington originally built his gristmill to process wheat grown on the estate, both for his own plantation and for sale to nearby markets, making it an important commercial engine for Mount Vernon’s economy.  The shift toward distilling began in 1797, when Scottish farm manager James Anderson recognized that Washington’s abundant rye crops, modern mill, and reliable water supply. Anderson first experimented with two small stills, and the results were so promising that Washington authorized construction of a full‑scale distillery in 1798. By 1799, the year of Washington’s death, the distillery produced nearly 11,000 gallons of rye whiskey, making it the largest whiskey distillery in America at the time.  Today, the reconstructed gristmill and distillery at Mount Vernon operate much as they did in the 18th century, preserving Washington’s entrepreneurial legacy and the role rye whiskey played in early American industry."

Virginia rye whiskey has a story that stretches back to the earliest days of American distilling, shaped by the state’s fertile soil, its role as a colonial agricultural powerhouse, and the ingenuity of farmers who turned grain into a valuable commodity. In the 1700s, rye grew well across the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley, thriving in the cooler seasons and rocky soils where other grains struggled. Early Virginians -- many of them Scots‑Irish immigrants familiar with grain distillation -- quickly adopted rye whiskey as both a household staple and a profitable trade good. While Virginia would later become famous for its brandy and, eventually, its bourbon‑leaning styles, rye whiskey was a foundational spirit in the state’s early economy.

Historically, Virginia’s distilling activity was widespread rather than concentrated in a single region. Small farm distilleries dotted the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge foothills, and the Tidewater region. In the 19th century, commercial distilleries emerged near transportation hubs—towns along the James River, rail lines, and port cities like Norfolk and Richmond. Many of these operations were modest in scale, producing whiskey for local markets rather than national distribution. By the early 20th century, however, industrialization and shifting consumer tastes began to reshape the landscape, and Prohibition ultimately wiped out what remained of Virginia’s rye whiskey industry.  

Virginia’s historic rye distilling tradition was shaped by hardy, flavorful grain varieties that thrived in the Mid‑Atlantic’s climate and soils. Farmers used a mix of winter rye varieties that were hardy and high‑yielding, producing a whiskey that balanced spice with a softer, earthier profile than the bold Monongahela ryes to the north.  Early distillers commonly relied on Abruzzi rye, an Italian winter rye introduced to the American South in the 1800s that became prized in Virginia for its resilience, high yields, and bold, spicy character. In the colonial and early‑American eras, farmers also grew heritage landrace ryes—locally adapted strains saved from year to year—which produced whiskeys with rustic, earthy depth. One of the most distinctive of these was Seashore Black Rye, a nearly forgotten coastal varietal once grown from Virginia down through the Carolinas; its dark kernels and peppery, almost chicory‑like flavor made it especially valued in regional spirits. These grains contributed to a style of rye that was flavorful yet approachable, often complemented by small amounts of corn or malted barley depending on the distiller’s preference. Modern craft distillers in Virginia have revived several of these heirloom grains, recognizing that the state’s rye‑whiskey identity is inseparable from the diverse, historically rooted rye varieties that shaped its flavor for centuries.

Virginia’s rye‑whiskey revival has been driven by a dynamic group of distillers who each bring a distinct perspective to the state’s historic grain. Catoctin Creek® in Purcellville helped lead the modern movement with its organic, grain‑to‑glass Roundstone Rye, rooted in early American distilling traditions. Reservoir Distillery in Richmond takes a different approach, producing 100% single‑grain whiskeys — including a bold, spicy rye — sourced entirely from Virginia farms. In Sperryville and Williamsburg, Copper Fox Distillery stands out for its in‑house floor‑malting and fruitwood‑smoked grains, giving its rye a uniquely aromatic, lightly smoky profile. A. Smith Bowman in Fredericksburg, though best known for bourbon, has also produced limited rye releases that reflect its long legacy as one of Virginia’s oldest distilling names. Even historic Mount Vernon contributes to the landscape, with George Washington’s reconstructed distillery producing rye using 18th‑century methods. Together, these producers showcase the breadth of Virginia’s rye identity — from heritage‑driven craftsmanship to innovative grain experimentation — and reaffirm the state’s role as a cornerstone of American rye whiskey.

Focusing on Catoctin Creek® their history is a modern revival of Virginia’s deep rye‑whiskey heritage, brought to life by founders Becky and Scott Harris. When they opened the distillery in Purcellville in 2009 it became the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Their vision grew from a shared belief that Virginia, the birthplace of American whiskey, deserved a distillery dedicated to traditional, grain‑forward rye. The Harrises built the business from the ground up, investing their savings, navigating Virginia’s strict licensing requirements, and committing to high‑quality, locally sourced ingredients. And in order to open, Scott helped draft the initial legislation allowing for craft distillers in the Commonwealth.  Their flagship Roundstone Rye quickly became one of the most awarded whiskeys, embodying their philosophy of craftsmanship, regional identity, and historical continuity. Today, Catoctin Creek stands as a leader in Virginia rye, blending historical reverence with meticulous modern distilling and releasing unique variations of the Roundstone Rye.