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My favorite local/"craft" rye whiskey gets a mention in the article as one that actually makes their own: Catoctin Creek, here in northern Virginia. [1] Anyway

by acheron 12y ago

My favorite local/"craft" rye whiskey gets a mention in the article as one that actually makes their own: Catoctin Creek, here in northern Virginia. [1] Anyway, there are a couple issues with the labeling. One is that some may feel the TTB's requirements aren't strict enough. The second issue is that the TTB is swamped and violations of the existing requirements get through all the time until someone gets around to filing a complaint. Chuck Cowdery is quoted in the article, his blog [2] touches on these issues a lot, both with MGP rye and similar problems with bourbon. [1] http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/ http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/ [2] http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/ http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/

swasheck 12y ago
I live in Colorado and the closest retailer of Caotctin Creek is in Wyoming. Thinking about picking some up the next time I drive through Cheyenne. Do you think it's worth it to make a special stop?
- georgebrabazon 12y ago
  Honestly, no, Caotctin does some interesting things, but they are a bit hit and miss and I wouldn't go hugely out of my way for them.
  - tptacek 12y ago
    People bring up Stranahans a lot in discussions like these, and I have the same thought. It's interesting and impressive what they've done, but the end result is inferior to major label bourbon. If you're in SFBA and you want unique, independent rye, Old Potrero (an Anchor product) is a pretty good bet.
    - ahh 12y ago
      Also excellent are the Sonoma County Rye and the 1512 Spirts Aged Rye (their white rye is also good, but hardly what most people expect from rye; don't miss their wheat whiskey either.) By far my favorite rye though is Goldrun: http://oldworldspirits.com/rye.html http://oldworldspirits.com/rye.html It's got some rare flavor notes, bready and yeasty almost--I like to say it has a "cheerios" note?--while still having some spice. That said: I also love pretty much every bottle of High West I own (something like eight at this point.) They're all from the one source. Oh no. They're still well selected, blended, and aged. They make great drinks. Who cares if they're from the mainstream sources? I'm into drinking, not being a hipster.
    - dnr 12y ago
      I agree the regular Stranahan's is just ok, but a friend had a bottle of one of their special releases (I forgot the details, but it had a silver label, so probably a Snowflake) and it was significantly better. Check it out if you get a chance.
- acheron 12y ago
  Depends on what you mean by "special stop" I guess. If you're driving by anyway, then sure, go ahead. It's a solid rye whiskey, probably pretty different from others you've had, and definitely worth trying. But it's not going to change your life or anything, so you don't need to go too far. :)
- thedufer 12y ago
  I'm not a whiskey drinker, but they make a damn good gin. Maybe that in addition to the whiskey would make it worthwhile?

by acheron 12y ago

swasheck 12y ago

I live in Colorado and the closest retailer of Caotctin Creek is in Wyoming. Thinking about picking some up the next time I drive through Cheyenne. Do you think it's worth it to make a special stop?

georgebrabazon 12y ago
Honestly, no, Caotctin does some interesting things, but they are a bit hit and miss and I wouldn't go hugely out of my way for them.
- tptacek 12y ago
  People bring up Stranahans a lot in discussions like these, and I have the same thought. It's interesting and impressive what they've done, but the end result is inferior to major label bourbon. If you're in SFBA and you want unique, independent rye, Old Potrero (an Anchor product) is a pretty good bet.
  - ahh 12y ago
    Also excellent are the Sonoma County Rye and the 1512 Spirts Aged Rye (their white rye is also good, but hardly what most people expect from rye; don't miss their wheat whiskey either.) By far my favorite rye though is Goldrun: http://oldworldspirits.com/rye.html http://oldworldspirits.com/rye.html It's got some rare flavor notes, bready and yeasty almost--I like to say it has a "cheerios" note?--while still having some spice. That said: I also love pretty much every bottle of High West I own (something like eight at this point.) They're all from the one source. Oh no. They're still well selected, blended, and aged. They make great drinks. Who cares if they're from the mainstream sources? I'm into drinking, not being a hipster.
  - dnr 12y ago
    I agree the regular Stranahan's is just ok, but a friend had a bottle of one of their special releases (I forgot the details, but it had a silver label, so probably a Snowflake) and it was significantly better. Check it out if you get a chance.
acheron 12y ago
Depends on what you mean by "special stop" I guess. If you're driving by anyway, then sure, go ahead. It's a solid rye whiskey, probably pretty different from others you've had, and definitely worth trying. But it's not going to change your life or anything, so you don't need to go too far. :)
thedufer 12y ago
I'm not a whiskey drinker, but they make a damn good gin. Maybe that in addition to the whiskey would make it worthwhile?