Reservoir Distillery in Richmond, Virginia, gives visitors a chance to meet distillers who are passionate about the spirits they produce.
“Typically, when someone comes in and does a tour, they are talking with someone that lives and breathes whiskey, makes it day in and day out, is tasting barrels, and sampling distillate to make sure it’s right,” said Nick Vaughan, “barrelman” and distiller at the distillery.
“We feel like we offer a pretty intimate experience because you go to some other places and the person really loves and is passionate about the company they work with, but they’re maybe not one of the folks who has their hand in making the product.”
Credit: Reservoir Distillery
The small distillery focuses on three core single-grain products — 100% corn bourbon, 100% wheat whiskey and 100% rye whiskey.
“We source those grains locally and we do everything in-house from grinding the grain to hand signing and wax dipping every bottle we make,” Vaughan said.
Reservoir Distillery began making whiskey in 2008 and sold its first bottle of spirits to Virginia’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in 2010.
Founders Jay Carpenter and Dave Cuttino are still there and are very much involved in the day-to-day operations.
“We were actually the first alcohol manufacturer in this neighborhood before it kind of blew up to be the craft beer destination that it is now,” Vaughan said.
Credit: Reservoir Distillery
Reservoir Distillery is in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood in Richmond. Within four or five square blocks, the neighborhood now has about nine breweries, two cideries, a meadery, plus apartments and loft living.
Private group tours with or without tastings can be booked for a flat rate per 15 visitors plus the cost of the tasting. Because of space, each tour is limited to a maximum of 15 but back-to-back tours can be arranged.
For more information, call 804-912-2621 or visit reservoirdistillery.com.
Article by Kathie Sutin
