Lately I have been very interested in the small craft distillery scene in the US. Not to long ago I got an email from a friend discussing how the Mid-Atlantic States are getting on the map for its craft distilling scene. Then I read this article about three small distilleries in Virginia and their new, premium, small batch, handcrafted spirits. These distillers are bringing back the distilling tradition to Virginia that hasn't been seen since before prohibition, and doubling the number of distilleries in the state.

There have been three distillers of liquors that could be considered long time native Virginian: Laird & Co. distilling since 1780 makes Bonded Apple Brandy and Apple Jack from apples grown in the Shenandoah Valley (A branch of the same company whose headquarters are in NJ); A. Smith Bowman distilling since the 1930's known for Virginia Gentleman bourbon; and Belmont Farm Distillery, distilling since 1987 which makes a version of corn liquor/moonshine called Virginia Lightning.Adding to the old timers are these three new Virginian distilleries. Copper Fox Distillery which produces a unique apple and cherry wood smoked barley single malt whiskey reminiscent of single malt Scotch but with fruit-wood, instead of peat, used for the smoking and drying of the malted barley. This gives it a sweeter flavor. Right now they are only aging it for a few years but I look forward to well aged single barrel batches hitting the market in a few years. They are the only distillery in the US who malts their own barley, a remarkable feat. Cirrus Vodka in Richmond, which won international awards even before it was available to the public. It is a potato vodka and is said to be very silky with interesting hints of flavor. Spirits of the Blue Ridge Vodka to be made at the Chesapeake Bay Distillery in Virginia Beach is a corn based vodka and these tend to be very neutral tasting.