Catoctin Creek Roundstone Distillers Edition Rye Spirit

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

The Distiller's Edition is the higher-strength single-barrel selection within the Roundstone Rye range. Catoctin Creek chooses only around one in ten barrels from its inventory for this release. A particularly interesting flavour profile is the deciding factor; the selected barrels are bottled at 46% rather than the 40% of the regular Roundstone Rye.

At its core is a pre-Prohibition-style rye whisky made from 100% locally grown rye and distilled in small batches in pot stills. Caramel, butterscotch, sweet vanilla and lemon combine with white pepper, followed by lingering notes of leather and oak.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Pronounced aromas of sweet pastries, honey and butterscotch lead on the nose. A tart lemon note, linseed oil and restrained spices complete the aromatic profile.
• Palate: The palate shows a rich, confectionery-like sweetness with vanilla, cocoa, hazelnut, maple sugar and mocha. Cinnamon, clove and lemon zest provide a tart, spicy contrast.
• Finish: The medium-long finish holds onto butterscotch and subtle spices, with lemon peel and nutmeg providing the final accents.

Distillery/Bottler:

Becky and Scott Harris founded the Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in 2009 in Purcellville, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley. It was the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Becky Harris oversees distillation, while Scott Harris serves as general manager.

Becky Harris brought her experience as a chemical engineer to the business. Production centres on two pot stills, with each distillation run taking nine hours. The distillery combines this unhurried approach with small-batch production and sensory barrel selection.

Facts: