Richmond Distilleries to Visit Now

RVA Booze Guide: Richmond Distilleries to Visit Now

Fall is here! Here in Virginia, that means early afternoons and long evenings at breweries and wineries. You know, I’m a fan of both. There are some new kids in town, though: cider and liquor. I wrote about cideries here. Today, we’re talking distilleries. Our local distillery tasting rooms are chic, artsy, and made for social distance socializing. Their spirits are also a much more creative and often more delicious choice for your next dinner party. The people behind Richmond distilleries are charming, smart, fun, and creative. They’re deserving of your support and ready to offer up a bit of an adventure. If you’re looking for a twist for your booze adventures this fall, try one of these Richmond Distilleries:

Belle Isle Moonshine

Address: 615 Maury St, Richmond VA 23224
Hours: (Curbside Pickup Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.- 3 p.m., Sunday Closed

I’ve been a fan of Belle Isle moonshine since the brand was writing in permanent markers on its bottles. It all started with the Honey Habenero moonshine. Now, the distillery has many ore options to choose from, including cold brew coffee moonshine and canned cocktails. The cans are perfect for taking to as a hostess gift or on an adventure in your bag. You can order online and pick up your moonshine here. You can also have it delivered. There are lots of helpful details on this page here.

Cirrus Vodka

1603 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23220
Hours: Thursday-Friday 5 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Cirrus Vodka is neighbor to Mainline Brewery in Richmond. It has one of the most expansive outdoor areas, though you have to keep you vodka drinks inside or on the patio these days. You can still learn more about the distilling process and learn new ways to prepare the vodka like mules and frozen cocktails. Cirrus offers flights of three sample cocktails or one big one all by itself.

James River Distillery

Address: 2700 Hardy St, Richmond, VA 23220
Hours: (Curbside Pickup) Monday-Friday 12 p.m.- 5p.m., Saturday 1 p.m.- 4 p.m., Sunday Closed

James River Distillery’s tasing room is currently closed, but you can order online and pick up curbside, including hand sanitizer! The distillery makes gin, rum and vodka. I’ve got my eye on the Jackson & James Strawberry Rum. This is one of a few products created in collaboration with bartenders in the Jackson Ward district of Richmond–my neighborhood.

Reservoir Distillery

Address: 1800 Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
Hours: Monday-Friday 1 – 5 p.m.

Reservoir Distillery is home to a fun, joyous group of people who are truly obsessed with their craft. The whiskey creators celebrate the spirit’s southern roots and reaches for creative renditions. Each product is locally sourced, crafted and bottled all by Reservoir. You can take distillery tours, tastings and enjoy mixed drinks featuring a whiskey of your choice. They taught me to try a Bloody Mary with whiskey and totally transformed my view of whiskey. Most of Reservoir’s founding bottles range from wheat, bourbon and rye whiskey.

Virago Spirits

Address: 1727 Rhoadmiller St, Richmond, VA 23220
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 12 p.m.- 7 p.m.

I’ve had may a good time in the Virago Spirits tasting room. It’s a spot I always try to take visitors because it’s dreamy and the bar is always staffed by a bartender serving up a creative collection of ever changing cocktails. Virago channels the “low and slow” traditional distilling process, which helps create complex flavors in their gins and rums. You can also order online, delivery offered Virginia wide!

Trial and Error Distillery

Address: 1606 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Trial and Error, located in the Fan District, started out as a small locally owned sandwich and pasta shop. That still stands true, but now you can grab a sandwich with a side of rum, gin, whiskey or Grappa! The lie up features several infused flavors like Lime Rum. Next door is Bombolini Pasta, so you can kill a few birds if you’re prepping for a indulgent dinner–my favorite kind.