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As we slide out of summer and into September, we move into brandy season.  All the rye has been put away, and we're now getting the first fruit of the year.  Fresh grapes are coming in off the vine, and that wonderful Loudoun County wine is the starting point for our second vintage of brandy.

So far, our plans this year include Seyval blanc and Chambourcin (as was done for last year), and we may throw a few other varietals in there as well, like Petit Verdot and Norton.  This should make for a truly unique Virginia brandy!

Catoctin Creek's brandy will be called simply, "1757", which is in honor of the founding date of Loudoun County.  And being the first grape brandy in Virginia since at least Prohibition, this will be a pretty special and truly historic expression.  We're still aging the last year's brandy in our large Bordeaux casks, so look for 1757 to arrive in 2012.

And for those of you awaiting the next batch of Pearousia pear brandy, just as soon as we get done with all those grapes, we'll be getting back to work on the pear brandy, aiming to get that out by late this year.

Stay tuned here for details!

A Little Humor... A Thief in the Distillery!

We get pretty busy in the back of the distillery: meeting with people, making whisky, moving barrels, etc.  So it is easy to lose track of a pug who is our ostensible watch dog.  Luckily we have a security system to capture the details.  See the video below to see what happens when a pug is left alone in the office!

Upcoming Events

There are a variety of events planned for the next few weeks that should prove entertaining and educational:

• September 3 - Tiber Creek Cabaret - Looking for something different?  Join us for an evening of genre defying performances:  burlesque, sword-swallowing, belly dancing, original dramatic readings and live neo-Victorian electronic steampunk music, along with signature cocktails by Catoctin Creek.  This will be one funky event not to miss!
• September 10 - Cleveland Park Tasting - Join us for FREE samples of the award winning Roundstone Rye and Watershed Gin at Cleveland Park Wine and Spirits in DC.
• September 17 - Taste History and Whiskey at Aldie Mill - Enjoy a five course dinner, paired with whiskeys from Catoctin Creek, Scotland and Kentucky, as you sit among the gears of the historic Aldie Mill.  Rich Gillespie, noted local historian, will be on hand to tell us about this history of the local area.
• September 23 - Catoctin Creek, Cigars, and Chocolates - What's not to like?  Join us for tastings of Catoctin Creek whisky, chocolates and cigars on the patio of the Blue Duck in northwest DC.  Enjoy an evening of fine whisky and chocolates, with cigars, hand-rolled in front of your eyes by an artisan cigar maker.
• September 24 - Distilling Workshop - Interested in how whisky is made?  Want a chance to help distill whisky legally?  Interested in the business of distilling?  Then this workshop is for you!  Join us as we discuss the art, science and business of distilling and end the day with a private tasting!

For the full list of events, check our events page.

Cocktail for September - Raspberry Vinegar Rickey

Did you weather hurricane Irene?  We've had a heck of a month of hurricanes and earthquakes!  This cocktail, a take on DC's official cocktail, the Rickey, might help take the edge off a stressful August, courtesy the Good Booze blog.

1½ oz Catoctin Creek Organic Watershed Gin
1 Tbsp Roaring Twenties Raspberry Vinegar (didn’t make it yet? We have an alternative here)
Club soda
Lime wheels
Sugar

To make the caramelized limes: Dredge the lime wheels in sugar. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat; when the pan is hot, cook the lime wheels on each side until just lightly golden. They will be a little sticky; set aside to cool (they can also be refrigerated at this point for a day or two).

To assemble the drink: Place the caramelized lime wheel in the bottom of in a tall glass or a large wine glass and lightly muddle the fleshy center, then remove and set aside. Add one tablespoon of Raspberry Vinegar, 1.5 ounces of gin, and stir. Add several ice cubes and top with club soda. Stir well, then top with the reserved lime wheel.

See this cocktail and over fifty more on our cocktails page.

In Closing...

As always, there are lots of fun and information on our Facebook and Twitter pages, where you can stay up to date with the daily activities at the distillery.  Tours are always free, so stop by and see us sometime!

Remember, "Think Global, Drink LOCAL!"^SM

Cheers!
Scott & Becky