Virginia 100% rye whiskey, sustainable grain to glass, and a distillery built to last.
Tucked away in Loudoun County, Catoctin Creek feels intentionally off the beaten path.
What was once distant farmland—far removed from the sprawl of Northern Virginia (NoVA) and DC—has become one of Virginia’s most important craft distilling outposts. They’re not chasing trends here. They’re quietly building something enduring.
- Distillery: Catoctin Creek
- Location: Purcellville, Virginia
- Founded: 2009
- Known for: Sustainable Grain to Glass 100% Rye, Gin & Brandy
- Visit Type: Hosted by Head Distiller Becky Harris
The People & History of Catoctin Creek
Founded in 2009 by Becky and Scott Harris, Catoctin Creek became the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Located in Purcellville, Virginia — within the Loudoun Valley and along the creek that shares its name — the distillery draws deeply from regional history. “Catoctin,” derived from the Indigenous name Kittocton, is often translated as “place of many deer,” a fitting reference for a distillery grounded in land, place, and patience.
From the beginning, Catoctin Creek committed itself to producing spirits completely by hand, using locally sourced grain and fruit, free of pesticides and chemical additives. Virginia is the birthplace of American whiskey, and Catoctin Creek treats that legacy as a responsibility rather than a marketing line — focusing on transparency, grain-to-glass production, and a house style that favors structure and balance over novelty.
Their flagship identity is built around 100% rye whiskey, inspired by pre-Prohibition American rye traditions. One of the distillery’s earliest spirits — pear brandy — was also the first liquid they ever laid down in barrel, setting the tone for a portfolio that blends heritage with quiet experimentation.
Becky Harris — The Distiller & Advocate
Becky Harris has been the head distiller for well over a decade, and it shows—in the confidence of the spirit and the clarity of the house style. She’s an exceptional distiller, full stop.
What sets Becky apart isn’t just what’s in the glass, but the work she does beyond it. She’s served as President of the American Craft Spirits Association, advocating for small producers on a national scale. More recently, she’s taken on leadership within the Virginia Distillers Association, while continuing hands-on advocacy work on Capitol Hill — pushing for legislation that protects and sustains small craft distilleries throughout the DMV.
This isn’t performative leadership. It’s the unglamorous, necessary work that keeps places like Catoctin Creek alive.
As part of her ongoing advocacy for independent distilleries, Becky Harris and the Virginia Distiller’s Association support common-sense modernization efforts like HB934 (Simon) and SB424 (Perry), which update how Virginia distilleries can responsibly connect with their customers under ABC oversight.
These narrowly tailored measures are designed to help small, independent producers remain viable amid rising costs, wholesaler consolidation, and shifting economic pressures—ensuring that Virginia’s craft distilling community has a fair chance not just to survive, but to grow.
If interested in supporting local craft distilleries, Vote YES on HB 934 / SB 424
Philosophy in the Glass
One of their earliest milestones: pear brandy — the first spirit they ever barreled was done in tandem with a local wine maker in an even trade – they split the distillate 50/50 with no money exchanged.
- 100% rye whiskey, inspired by pre-Prohibition traditions
- Grain-to-glass, with a clear commitment to transparency
- Local sourcing, including grain from small regional farms
- Sustainable distillation: 2013 solar farm that offsets around 85% of the distillery’s energy usage
What I Tasted
- Pear, peach, and apple brandies
- Two expressions of Rabble Rouser, including the Cornerstone Club 7-year release (typically non–age stated)
- Roundstone Rye (80 proof)
- Roundstone Cask Proof Rye
- Hot Honey Rye
- Gin
- Pear Brandy barrel-rested gin
- A new, unannounced (non-whiskey) project — still under wraps, but genuinely delightful and destined to make a lot of people very happy
The Standout
My all-time favorite pour of the visit: a since sold-out Cornerstone Club Curaçao-finished rye.
The depth from the finish brought a layered sweetness that never overwhelmed the rye’s natural spice — beautifully balanced, expressive, and memorable.
Awards & Recognition
Catoctin Creek is widely regarded as one of the most awarded rye producers in the United States, with its Roundstone Rye lineup accounting for the majority of its top honors. Over the past decade, the distillery has amassed dozens of Gold, Double Gold, and category-winning medals across major international competitions, alongside consistent 90+ point scores from publications such as Wine Enthusiast, Whisky Advocate, WhiskyCast, and F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.
Notably, Roundstone Rye Cask Proof has emerged as the most decorated expression in the portfolio — earning Editor’s Choice distinctions, Best in Category awards, Double Platinum medals, and repeated high-90s critical acclaim. Beyond rye, Catoctin Creek’s brandies, gin, and specialty releases have also been recognized for quality and craftsmanship, reinforcing the distillery’s reputation well outside a single category.
In short: the awards don’t define Catoctin Creek — but they do consistently confirm what’s already evident in the glass.
At Catoctin Creek Today
Catoctin Creek has been featured in national outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post with broader coverage from Forbes, Men’s Journal, and The Daily Beast. Despite the accolades, the operation remains intentionally small, hands-on, and rooted in the same values that carried it through early uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions, and the pandemic years.
Scott and Becky Harris continue to do this work together — balancing production, advocacy, and stewardship of Virginia spirits — while proving that longevity in craft distilling comes not from chasing scale, but from staying disciplined.
Final Thoughts
The immediate reaction when tasting through Catoctin Creek’s lineup is simple: this rye is different. Not louder. Not trendier. Just more thoughtful. More intentional. A distillery that knows exactly who it is — and why that matters.
This visit was hosted by the distillery. All thoughts are my own and not influenced by the experience.
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