Monday, February 11, 2008

Virginia whisky

From Rick Lyke's blog, Like To Drink:

Malt Distillery Planned for Virginia

The Virginia Distillery Co. expects to be selling a Scotch-style malt whiskey not far from the Blue Ridge Mountains within five years.

Partners Chris Allwood, Joe Hungate and Brian Gray plan to invest $5 million to build the distillery in Lovingston, Va., by the end of the year. In addition to the distillery, the property will have a visitor's center, warehouse, nature trails and a barley farm. In the meantime the trio is importing Eades Whisky from Scotland.

Located in Nelson County, the distillery will be near several Virginia wineries and breweries.

The trio has plans to grow barley. Will they malt their own barley as does the Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville, Virginia? Will they age their whisky in oak barrels or in stainless steel ― tossing in wood chips ― as does Copper Fox?

UPDATE 2008.02.12:
I can confirm that we will (eventually) malt our own barley. We will also age in ex-Bourbon first-refill and new American white oak barrels for at least 5 years in a dunnage warehouse.
-- Chris Allwood, COO, Eades Distillery

This news calls for a field trip, and a report. Here's more from the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

5 comments:

  1. Hi, I can confirm that we will (eventually) malt our own barley. We will also age in ex-Bourbon first-refill and new American white oak barrels for at least 5 years in a dunnage warehouse. Chris Allwood, COO, Eades Distillery

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  2. Chris,

    Thanks for your confirmation. I, for one, look forward to 5 years from now. Good luck!

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  3. the initial post notes that you are importing Eades Whisky now, from scotland.
    is there anywhere in san francisco that carries your imported whisky now (and will have american manufactured whisky in the future)?
    peter j.

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  4. Peter,

    You'll need to contact the US distiller directly for that information. Go to: http://www.eadeswhisky.com/

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  5. Hi Peter J,
    Yes, we have modest distribution in San Francisco. We have appeared at 2 whisky festivals so far and a full list of outlets can be got from Don at WorldWide Distribution, his number is 415 756 1548.

    If you need any more info, my email is chris@eadeswhisky.com

    many thanks for taking an interest in our venture.

    Chris Allwood

    ReplyDelete

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