The VA Foodie Guide to Virginia Spirits
This post is sponsored by Virginia Spirits.
Did you know that Virginia is home to over 80 distilleries across the state? You can find everything from bourbon and rye to vodka and moonshine, plus everything in between. The Virginia spirits industry is booming and we’re excited to share some of the ways you can celebrate Virginia Spirits Month!
Whether you like sipping a whiskey on the rocks or you’re in the mood for a fruity cocktail, there are plenty of drinks to choose from. Many of the distilleries offer cocktails and tastings on site, and there are incredible tasting rooms all across the state. Can’t find what you’re looking for in your area? You can pick up a bottle to craft your own cocktail at home! Nearly 200 Virginia-made spirits are on sale for 20% off during Virginia ABC’s Sale-A-Bration, September 1-30, 2025.
If you want to explore the distillery scene across the state, the Virginia Spirits Passport makes it easy. This free mobile pass leads you through a discovery of over 40 Virginia distilleries. With each check-in, you can enjoy locally crafted spirits and earn points to unlock exclusive prizes! It’s free to download, and it’s a great way to find distilleries in your area!
If you’re looking for a place to start, the Gold Medal Spirits Trail is a new limited-time passport that features the gold-medal winners of the First Landing Cup. With 108 entries from 33 distilleries statewide, each spirit was evaluated by world-class judges on aroma, taste, mouthfeel, finish and overall balance. A total of 101 medals were awarded, recognizing exceptional flavor and craftsmanship. The 11 distilleries featured in the Gold Medal Spirits Trail are the best of the best!
This exclusive trail guides you through the 11 top-winning distilleries across the state– so you can enjoy the best of Virginia! Plus, it’s free to download! Here’s a quick look at the distilleries featured on the trail.
Gold Medal Spirits Trail Winners
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co. – Virginia Beach, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Peated American Single Malt Whiskey
This distillery (and brewery) has a great lineup of bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka, but their Peated American Single Malt Whiskey is the spirit that took home a gold medal! You can find their spirits inside The Vanguard, a brewpub and music hall in a venue that was once an armory.
Catoctin Creek – Purcellville, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Hot Honey Rye
Catoctin Creek infuses Virginia rye whiskey with a sweet-heat kick of honey and spice to create their award winning Hot Honey Rye. They were founded in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition and they’ve been making incredible spirits ever since.
Highlands Distilling Co. – Abingdon, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Dragon Navy Strength Gin
Highlands Distilling crafts crisp gin that works well in a variety of cocktails. Their small-batch, botanically rich spirits are unique and delicious.
KO Distilling – Manassas, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Rye & Bourbon
KO Distilling delivers classic Virginia character with two award-winning Bottled-in-Bond spirits. They also have a lot of cocktail recipes on their site, to give you some inspiration in whipping up tasty drinks at home!
Mt. Defiance Distillery – Middleburg, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Absinthe Supérieure
Mt. Defiance offers a variety of unique spirits including handcrafted absinthe, agave spirits, and rum. Don’t miss the chance to earn your Passport stamp in Middleburg and sample a variety of spirits.
MurLarkey Distilled Spirits – Bristow, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Papi’s Salsa Borracha Vodka & ImaGination Gin
This playful distillery is known for its creative, flavor-driven spirits. Whether it’s the spicy, spirited vodka or a whimsical gin, MurLarkey has a unique lineup of spirits. Curious to learn more about distilling? Sign up for one of their “Distiller for a Day” classes!
Old House Vineyards – Culpeper, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Estate Brandy XO
What began as a vineyard has blossomed into a destination for wine, beer, spirits, and their award-winning brandy. Their tasting room is uniquely created to be a tribute to World War II veterans.
Ragged Branch Distillery – Charlottesville, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Ragged Branch Rye Whiskey
Surrounded by rolling Blue Ridge views, Ragged Branch is all about true farm-to-bottle whiskey. They mash, distill, age, and bottle on their property. Their rye is bold, spicy, and perfectly suited for sipping neat or mixing in a cocktail.
Three Crosses Distilling Co. – Powhatan, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Crossed Rifles Spiced Rum
Three Crosses crafts a rum with a bold, spiced profile, but they also make gin, whiskey, and vodka. Their rustic tasting room has a full service restaurant, so it’s a great spot to spend an afternoon.
Virago Spirits – Richmond, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Modern Gin with Oolong Tea
Innovative and adventurous, Virago blends traditional botanicals with oolong tea for a gin like no other. Their stylish tasting room in Richmond makes for a perfect city stop. If you enjoy a history lesson, ask them about how they distill their spirits on a vintage, direct-fire, 2,500-liter Charentais-style alembic still.
Virginia Distillery Co. – Lovingston, VA
Gold Medal Winner: Courage & Conviction Signature Malt (Best in Show)
The most awarded single malt whisky distillery in America, this is a popular spot for whiskey lovers. Their Courage & Conviction single malt earned Best in Show. They frequently offer tours and tasting, so make a reservation to check it out.
This is the perfect time to download the passport and visit a local distillery!
If you have a favorite local spirit or cocktail, let us know in the comments!
