“It will sell out within an hour,” is not hyperbole coming from the mouth of Scott Harris.
Harris, the owner, with his wife, Becky, the chief distiller, of Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, is confident the 147 bottles of Día de los Muertos whisky will be gone soon after the July 6 debut at noon.
The very limited release is, in part, because of the hot summers in Virginia.
While the whisky (Catoctin Creek prefers the spelling without the “e”) ages, all of the dips and spikes in barometric pressure push the spirit in and out of the wood, giving it flavor. If there was a steady temperature, says Harris, the resulting whisky would sit on top of the wood, not picking up any extra notes and, essentially, “be very bland. You have to accept the fact that there will be evaporation.”
There’s not a climate-controlled environment in the warehouse where barrels are stored, which leads to an increased evaporation, or what the industry refers to as the angel’s share.
The malt whisky is the second batch in collaboration with Adroit Theory Brewing Company, the avant garde Purcellville brewery. Adroit’s Día de los Muertos Russian imperial stout was aged for 4.666 years in white oak Catoctin Creek barrels, and is the oldest whisky released by the Purcellville-based distillery.
On the same day, just a half-mile away, Adroit is re-releasing the same stout, available on draft, and in a collector’s bottle: 22 ounces, with a 13.7% ABV for $25. Both the beer and whisky, 750 milliliters at 92 proof for $159.99, come with cedar gift boxes. Becky Harris and Adroit’s owner, Mark Osborne, will be at the distillery to sign bottles.
Buy the two-bottle set, says Harris, for a “very small scavenger hunt.” // Bottle releases, July 6 at noon; Catoctin Creek Distilling Company: 120 W. Main St., Purcellville; Adroit Theory Brewing: 404 Browning Court, Unit C, Purcellville
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