CATCH THE SPIRIT Catoctin Creek Distillery , Loudoun’s first distillery since Prohibition when it opened in Purcellville in 2009, produces hand-crafted brandy, gin and award-winning organic rye sold in bars from Malibu to Manhattan. Enjoy flights and specialty cocktails in the tasting room, and take home bottles of the flagship Roundstone Rye. Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg is on a quest to bring back “lost spirits,” liquors that fell out of fashion post-Prohibition. Distiller Peter Ahlf, a former NASA scientist, makes a superb 140% proof verte (green) Absinthe Supérieure based on a 19th century French recipe, and an 80% proof twice-distilled apple brandy aged in whiskey barrels. You’ll also find a Virginia bourbon, white rum, amaretto liqueur and cassis. Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery , on a farm near Lovettsville, makes a cask-strength Blended Bourbon with hints of honey and spice. Its versatile Silver Rum is great in cocktails, and its White Dog whiskey is made with heirloom corn farmed on-site. THE CRAFT CIDER SCENE Hard on the heels of Loudoun’s craft beer revolution comes a raft of craft cideries turning sweet Loudoun apples into liquid gold. Cool-fermented with heritage fruit, Loudoun ciders are dry and crisp with an effervescent, never-sweet finish. What to try? Henway Hard Cider Company in Bluemont blends plums, cherries, raspberries and strawberries into the apple foundation of some of its drinks. Corcoran Cidery in Waterford makes only gluten-free cider, including a popular Popo Peach blending Virginia apples and peaches. Wild Hare Cider , based in Middleburg and Leesburg, dry ages its cider for a year. Passion Amore LA PRENSA, STERLING Add Mt. Defiance Dark Rum, passion fruit syrup, fresh lime juice and fresh pineapple juice to a cocktail shaker with ice and double strain into a coupe glass. Half tajin rim and dehydrated pineapple wheel for garnish. THE Makes Sense NIGHT SHIFT, LEESBURG Add 1oz Catoctin Creek’s Proof Rye Whiskey, 0.75oz Cappelletti Aperitivo, 0.75oz Amaro Montenegro, 0.75oz lemon juice, 0.5oz pineapple juice and 3 dashes of chocolate bitters to a shaker. Shake for 7-10 seconds and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Express with an orange twist and discard. Craving a one-of-a-kind libation? Request the bartender to surprise you with a "Dealer's Choice" cocktail tailored to your liking. 49 | Official Visitors Guide MAKES MONEY,
Explore Loudoun Official Visitor Guide 2023 Explore Loudoun Official Visitors Guides: Page 49
