I was introduced to the whisky made by the Virginia Distillery Co. at the 2018 Fredericksburg Brewfest. I had tagged along with a friend who was pouring samples at the company’s table and it didn’t take long to see that the spirit was a hit. 

For every 10 people we served, other vendors had maybe one. And by 3 p.m. our line was out of hand, with prior visitors reappearing with friends, family members and newly met drinking buddies. 

“You won’t believe it till you try it,” a middle-aged man told his wife, practically dragging her by the hand. Sipping a half-ounce sample of Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky, a single malt, she came alive. “I’ll be damned,” she said, smacking her lips. “That is incredible.” 

The couple told me that they were single-malt enthusiasts and that their top shelf featured celebrated, 100-plus-year-old Scottish, English and Irish brands like Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Highland Park, Bowmore, Macallan and others. “This is up there with the best of ’em,” said the man. “And at that price point? $65 is a steal.” 

Founded in Lovingston in 2011, Virginia Distillery released its first batch in November 2015. The port-finished whisky gained national attention with a 92-point rating in the Wine Enthusiast spirits guide. Since then, the company has won an incredible 21 awards – including best American single malt at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards. With more than 3,500 casks – about 1.5 million bottles – set aside for aging, it is now Virginia’s largest distillery and America’s biggest producer of single-malt whisky. Its products are available in 17 states and counting.

Founded in Lovingston in 2011, Virginia Distillery released its first batch in November 2015. The port-finished whisky gained national attention with a 92-point rating in the Wine Enthusiast spirits guide. Since then, the company has won an incredible 21 awards – including best American single malt at the 2017 World Whiskies Awards. With more than 3,500 casks – about 1.5 million bottles – set aside for aging, it is now Virginia’s largest distillery and America’s biggest producer of single-malt whisky. Its products are available in 17 states and counting.