Founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County, Virginia since Prohibition, “Catoctin”, derives its name from the Indian tribal word “Kittocton” which, legend has it, meant “place of many deer”.
There’s a conscientious pursuit of high quality food and spirits at the distillery where preference is given to organic grain and fruit, sourced locally when possible. Their “Cask Proof” rye results from an “impulsive” selection of used Chardonnay casks, Bordeaux casks and x peach brandy barrels which are used to finish the whisky.
Tasting note: Deep polished copper / thick legs. A five minute bouquet that’s relatively closed in the early stages. Peppery spirit recedes with exposure slowly upping the intensity and introducing notes of rice pudding, leather handbag and mint choc-chip cookie. Creamy, soft entry preludes and intense, bittersweet, peppered rye, vanilla and mint chocolate attack. Well balanced, with the mid palate flavours carrying through to a cough lozenge fade. Generous and sweeter styled. 58% Alc./Vol
www.tastings.com