We lately pass on you a sneak peek intothe future tense of DC whiskey(yeah , you ’re welcome ) . But while it ’s cool to know all about the exciting local liquor that ’s coming out in the next year or three , that knowledge wo n’t exactly help you figure out what you should be salute , you know , tonight . As you may have noticed ( you ’ve noticed ) , the DC area has been ( figuratively ) exploding with local distilleries in late years . And while most of the musca volitans on this now - stacked roster are n’t even a tenner old , they ’ve been wrench out some genuinely killer ware . But what ’s actually worth put back your favorite national sword ? In an sweat to help you pilot the region ’s Orcinus orca new spirits scene , we ask 11 of the DMV ’s best barkeeper to share their favorite local disembodied spirit company . Here are six regional distilleries with the barman revenue stamp of approving .
Capitoline Vermouth
DC ’s first commercially useable vermouth , this bastioned wine is made by hired hand in small batches at New Columbia Distillers ( Green Hat Gin ) in Ivy City . It only has two bottlings , rosé and white , so producers Kat Hamidi and Peter Pastan can sweat the point .
" away from the fact that I know their vermouth , this is also a really nice chance to carry a superior product made by multitude I in person know and admire . The Capitoline Rosé Vermouth has a fragrancy to it , and a light spice element , but it ’s not overpowering . This vermouth integrates really nicely with a tidy sum of things , and it equilibrize well with floral component , which is something I often find difficulty with . “– Adam Bernbach , streak music director for2 birds 1 stone , doi moi , Estadio , andProof
Catoctin Creek
Catoctin Creek has practically become a household name since it opened in 2009 , and with adept reason – it ’s pretty groundbreaking ceremony , being the first legal distillery to open in Loudoun County since before proscription . Husband - and - married woman team Scott and Becky Harris produce award - winning , certified organic and kosher whiskey , gin , and brandy in Purcellville , VA .
" Roundstone Rye is a heavy whisky – rich , sweet , and juicy – great in cocktail or cracking . Catoctin shares a lot of value with us : they source locally , organically , and pesticide - free . They care about their quality , and it show . “– Todd Thrasher , bartender / owner ofthe Eat Good Food Group(PX , Restaurant Eve , etc . )
" We love their products because they utilise local grains , fruit , and botanicals for their brandy , rye whiskey , and gin … The un - aged rye , Mosby ’s Spirit , has wonderful roasted malts and clarity for mixing . “– Ari Wilder , cocktail consultant for Wilder Bros , LLC , and Centennial State - possessor ofChaplin ’s Ramen House & Cocktail Bar
Catoctin Creek Distilling|Courtesy of Catoctin Creek Distilling
" Their Rabble Rouser four - year rye , in fussy , is a 100 - proof bottle , so it stands up well in any whiskey cocktail , but is a lovely sip on its own . It ’s the best nursing bottle they ’ve put out thus far , and it ’s utterly a product of having sit in those barrels for more clip . whisky in general is so dependent on hold the proper geezerhood statement to be truly tasty , so any Modern distiller confront the challenge of get something on shelves while hopefully saving some origin to old age for dear and effective spirits down the road . “– Mikey Barton , barkeep atJack Rose Dining Saloonand Dram & Grain
Don Ciccio & Figli
The recipes used by this small - hatful Italian liqueur manufacturer have been in the family for over a one C , but the company has only survive in DC since 2012 . Founder Francesco Amodeo ’s family owned a distilling business that thrived on the Amalfi Coast from 1883 until 1980 , when an earthquake destroyed the surgical operation . Francesco resurrect the custom to partake in his grandfather ’s limoncellos , apertivos , and amaros with the US .
" Their centering is 100 % Italian – from amaro to limoncello , and everything in between . After tasting the Don Ciccio products , I was hooked . At Masseria , I plume myself on receive a very extensive amaro survival , most of which follow from Italy , but when I have an chance to support a local commercial enterprise who is actually making something good , I take it ! What I discover extra - special about Don Ciccio is that these are authentic recipes passed down from propagation to generation to Francesco , the owner . He ’s making the real hatful , and unless you ’re him , or have family in Italy uncoerced to show you the way , you ’re most potential not go to be able to make an veritable Cartesian product . “– Julien - Pierre Bourgon , head bartender atMasseria
Green Hat Gin
This pioneering , family line - own distillery was the first to bring slyness distilling back to DC after Prohibition . Fittingly , the founders named their operation after a notorious Capitol Hill bootlegger , George Cassiday , known as " The Man in the Green Hat . " Cassiday spent 10 years selling liquor to congressmen and senator , after which he outed his customer by writing about their lip service inThe Washington Post . Since 2011 , Green Hat has been make several change of snare , including the Classic , Navy Strength , and seasonal bottlings .
" It ’s like necessitate ‘ What ’s your preferent band ? ’ – there ’s so many in effect , local product . I ’m still very partial to Green Hat . They really paved the path for distilling in the District , and their cotton gin is awing . I love that they ’re not afraid to try out . Their Ginavit , which is a commixture of gin and aquavit , is the sodding example . It ’s a great mathematical product , and opens the way to total all raw flavour to gin cocktails or something completely original . Also , their Spring / Summer gin is beautiful and includes some unusual botanicals , like cherry blossoms . " –Derek Brown , chairperson ofDrink Company(Mockingbird Hill , Eat the Rich , Southern Efficiency , Columbia Room )
" Green Hat is unlike . It separates itself from other noose with its earthiness / funkiness . Do n’t get me wrong , I love a Greco-Roman London Dry - style gin rummy , but it ’s skillful to have someone take a chance on a different botanic mix ! " –Jeff Faile , drinkable director atRose ’s LuxuryandPineapple and Pearls
Capitoline Vermouth
" The faint floral and citrus bank bill are really pleasant , and I find it wanton to riff on many a warm - weather gin biff . In the past tense , I ’ve really enjoy fuse it with fresh citrus and moscatel sherry . The Ginavit has an awing olfactory organ and is so unique … I ’m not certain I ’ve tasted another product like it . It shares identity in both the gin and aquavit worlds , but stands alone . " –Chantal Tseng , barman at the Reading Room atPetworth Citizen
" My favorite expression is the Spring / Summer smell . I actually hoard this gin ; it ’s my favorite . I also love the society because they ’re always accessible to the legal community and bartenders , and always willing to educate and help wherever and whenever . " –Gina Chersevani , possessor ofBuffalo & Bergen
Lyon Distilling Company
Distiller Ben Lyon used to make rummy just for his friends to enjoy , but his Cartesian product was so dear that he adjudicate to launch Lyon Distilling Company in 2013 in Saint Michaels , MD . It begin with a theme song line of rum made from constitutional molasses and sugarcane , and have latterly begun releasing passing small batch of whisky as well .
" They ’re doing it the right way . They ’re definitely a small operation , but I do n’t think that you ’re blend in to line up a much more passionate distiller in the area than Ben , and Jaime ’s amazing too . Their grim rum is tremendous . When I say that a spirit is something I really enjoy , it ’s specifically something that I can enjoy both on its own and in a cocktail – it does n’t get lose in a cocktail ; you could still taste that main spirit . This rum has a really squeamish bit of molasses on the up - front of the nozzle , but it ’s unquestionably got some gumption to it too , and I care that . " –Trevor Frye , owner of the forthcoming Marble Alley ( and also a die - hard Catoctin Creek fan )
MurLarkey Distilled Spirits
This distillery in Bristow , VA was establish by first cousin Thomas Murray , Michael Larkin , and James Larkin . To pay court to their Irish roots , they adjudicate to combine their family names in a play on the word " malarky . " Using recipes passed down from their ancestors , the squad produce whisky , vodka , and gin using topically sourced factor .
" MurLarkey is one of the few distilleries actually distilling with natural element . Their whiskey is distil with stinker peel or cinnamon sticks – not artificial seasoner . I love the quality of their product and how balanced they are , which makes them nifty spirits to make drinks with . " –Stefan Trummer , co - owner , manager , and cocktail Lord atTrummer ’s On Main
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Catoctin Creek Distilling|Courtesy of Catoctin Creek Distilling
Don Ciccio & Figli|Courtesy of Don Ciccio & Figli
Green Hat Gin|Courtesy of Green Hat Gin
Lyon Distilling Company
