Rum in the Old Dominion
Virginia has deep ties to the Caribbean, so, it’s no surprise that Virginia’s first spirit of choice was rum. As a key trading hub on the eastern seaboard in colonial times, Virginia was a major importer of molasses and sugar, the essential ingredients for rum production. Much like neighbouring states, Virginia’s geography is defined by the Appalachian Plateau, the Valley and Ridge, the Blue Ridge, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain with the Chesapeake Bay estuary dominating the eastern Atlantic coastline. This provides endless adventures from scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway to invigorating waterfall hikes like Crabtree Falls in Shenandoah National Park’s popular Whiteoak Canyon.
Known as the birthplace of a nation and Mother of Presidents, Virginia holds deep historical significance. As England’s first and oldest overseas colony, rum consumption was high in colonial Virginia. A. Smith Bowman, Virginia’s oldest distillery, estimates that an average colonist quaffed 3 imperial gallons of rum annually, a staggering 308 shots per person. Sugar arrived in Virginia during this era, brought through trade that included molasses and enslaved people. While some plantations experimented with sugarcane, tobacco became the dominant cash crop. It’s worth noting that Virginia’s distilling history also includes a strong tradition of moonshine, a corn whiskey that continues to influence craft distillers today. When Virginia went dry in 1916, three years before national prohibition, moonshining thrived, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, earning Franklin County the moniker ‘Moonshine Capital of the World.’
Virginia’s alcohol control system made craft distilling nearly impossible for over 65 years. Even today, state law sets strict limitations on distilleries, prohibiting food service and limiting on-site tasting room pours to three ounces per customer, effectively two cocktails. Furthermore, the state still controls all sales of distilled spirits through Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) stores. Despite these challenges, Virginia’s rum tradition is being revived by a growing number of craft distilleries, each telling their own unique story. This insider’s guide takes you on a rum road trip across the state, from north to south. Buckle up as we explore the region and Virginia-made rum.
Northern Virginia
This region shifts from Piedmont Hills to the Coastal Plain, shaped by the Potomac River. Natural attractions include Great Falls Park’s waterfalls, Shenandoah’s views, and Prince William Forest Park’s trails. The region experiences distinct seasons: hot, humid summers and cold winters. Amidst rural areas and foothills, local rum distilleries offer tasting experiences.
Flying Ace Farm
Located on an 85-acre farm in Lovettsville, Virginia, Flying Ace Farm was founded in 2021. The distillery is named after American flying aces, particularly the owner’s grandfather, an aviator who earned the flying ace distinction in both World War II and the Korean War. It pays tribute to American military fighter pilots, specifically those credited with shooting down at least five enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Their signature rum is American Ace Rum, a silver rum, that is distilled using molasses and has toasted sugar notes. The distillery also produces American Ace bourbon and whiskey. Visitors can enjoy Monk’s on the Farm with Monk’s BBQ, a bar serving a range of mojitos on the menu, live music, private venue events, and an on-site ABC store. They host events, including weddings, combining a distillery and restaurant experience.
Find out more on Flying Ace Farm
George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill
Located in Alexandria, Virginia, George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, originally established in 1799, operates as a historic museum. While George Washington himself did not produce rum at Mount Vernon, it was a preferred colonial drink. In 2018, the historic trades staff distilled rum for the first time, using 18th-century methods, period-appropriate rum yeast, and Barbadian molasses, coinciding with the publication of George Washington’s Barbados Diary. This diary, documenting Washington’s 1751-1752 voyage, highlights his impressions of Barbados and its sugar cane fields. The reconstructed working distillery produces small-batch spirits for visitors. George Washington’s Rum was last released in October 2020 and is now in limited supply. The distillery functions as a historical museum, the tour gives you a fascinating glimpse into historical 18th-century American distilling. Mount Vernon and the Gristmill Shop are closed on holidays and the rum is not readily available.
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Mt.Defiance Cidery and Distillery
In Middleburg, Virginia, Mt Defiance Cidery and Distillery was established in 2014. Owner Marc Chretien is also the cider-maker, and Peter Ahlf is the head distiller. They make local cider and small-batch distilled spirits. The name Mt. Defiance refers to a nearby landmark, giving the distillery a local, historical connection. Mt. Defiance produces three rum expressions: Amber Rum, Dark Rum, and White Rum. All three rums are double-distilled in small batches using a copper pot still. The rums are made using panela from Colombia, an unrefined whole cane sugar.
Mt Defiance White Rum is bottled at 80 proof after the second distillation. Mt Defiance Amber Rum is aged for one year in used rye whiskey barrels. Dark Rum also ages for a year in rye barrels, with caramelized sugar added before bottling. You can visit and enjoy local cider and spirits tastings, along with speciality cocktails, in a modern tasting room. The distillery also hosts weddings at the Cider Barn. With the Cider Barn having a variety of ciders on tap and often having food trucks on the weekend, rum lovers might want to try a Mt Defiance Stone Fence rum and cider refreshing pre-cocktail era drink.
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Belmont Farms
Started in 1988 by Chuck and Jeanette Miller in Culpeper, Virginia. It’s just a short drive from Washington D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville. The Miller family has a history rooted in moonshining, and they established the distillery to preserve that heritage. Chuck Miller who featured on the show “Moonshiners,” leads the family business. The distillery produces a variety of spirits, including Virginia Moonshine, whiskey, gin, vodka, and Belmont Farm Kopper Kettle Dark Chai Spice Rum. The rum is a high-proof, pot-distilled spirit, made using sugar, brown sugar, and a blend of East Indies spices, reminiscent of colonial-era rum production. The distillery aims to revive the historical tradition of rum-making in Virginia. You can visit from March each year and there are tours of the distillery production process in a rural farm setting, a museum, and a gift shop. They share their historical connection to early Virginia rum production.
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A. Smith Bowman Distillery
Set near Fredericksburg’s historic district, the distillery was founded in 1934, shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. In its early days, it was the only legal whiskey distillery in Virginia for a period. Named after Abram Smith Bowman, who, along with his sons started it. Family heritage plays a significant role in the brand’s identity. They have bourbons named after the Bowman brothers, who were involved in the Revolutionary War and the settlement of the Virginia territory. The stills “Mary” and “George” are also named after the parents of the Bowman brothers. The distillery produces George Bowman Colonial Era Dark Caribbean Rum, named after 18th-century pioneer George Bowman. The rum is distilled, aged, and blended using pot stills, with imported rum aged in the Caribbean. The rum is aged for years in the Caribbean climate. The visitor experience includes complimentary tours, guided tastings, and access to a gift shop. Tours detail the distilling, barrelling, and bottling processes. Walk-in tastings are also available. The distillery offers curbside pickup and online shipping. It is located near Fredericksburg’s historic district, Dixon Park, Strangeways Brewing, and the Rappahannock Railroad Museum. This is a destination distillery hosting events, weddings, and tour experiences.
Find out more on A. Smith Bowman Distillery
Coastal Virginia
Stretching along the Atlantic coast the Chesapeake Bay influences the whole region – shaping its geography and ecology. Flat coastal plains give way to barrier islands, creating stunning beaches. There’s a rich history in the rum trade along the Chesapeake Bay. Natural attractions include the beauty of First Landing State Park and the vibrant marine life of the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Beach is a popular tourist destination with miles of sandy beaches, boardwalks, and rum waiting to be discovered.
8 Shires Coloniale Distillery
Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, 8 Shires Coloniale was founded in 2014. The distillery focuses on replicating 17th and 18th-century distillation methods. They use historical recipes and ingredients, including 18th-century-style molasses. The core rum expressions include Warwick Silver Rum, Henrico Gold Rum, and Accomac Spiced Rum. Their production employs 18th-century style molasses. George Washington’s demanding only Caribbean-aged rum for his inauguration influenced the barrel-aged rum, crafted using 18th-century style molasses. Accomac spiced rum combines Caribbean spices with historical molasses. You can visit and book distillery tours and tastings within their tasting room. If you are interested in the historical aspects of colonial distillation, this is worth visiting.
Find out more on 8 Shires Coloniale Distillery
Blue Sky Distillery
Established as a micro distillery in historic Smithfield and started making spirits in 2017. Blue Sky produces a range of spirits, including gin, vodka, whiskey, and two distinct rums. Black Beard’s Point Rum, made with molasses, embodies local legends, inspired by the power of self-determination. Flying Dragon Spiced Rum, a vanilla-forward expression with a mellow finish, pays homage to the legendary pirate warship. You can visit the Distillery Store and Tasting Room during limited hours: Thursday and Friday evenings, and throughout the day on weekends. Appointments can be scheduled by phone, they don’t have a regular bar due to state laws, but host regular events, such as Friday evenings honouring active-duty personnel, first responders, and veterans on Friday evenings with cocktails made from their spirits. They’ve just started a food truck residency with grilled cheese sandwiches from Thursdays to Sundays.
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Chesapeake Bay Distillery
In Virginia Beach, Chris Richeson, the distiller and founder started back in 2005. As a former engineer, Chris knows every aspect of the craft distillation process in a marriage of art and science. As a master distiller, Chris produces two rums: Chic’s Beach Rum and Dr. Stoner’s Island Bush Rum. Chic’s Beach Rum (80 proof) is made with organic panela sugar and wild yeast and bacteria collected from Chic’s Beach, creating a unique local flavour. Dr Stoner’s Island Bush Rum (84 proof) is infused with Caribbean herbs, vanilla, and caramelized fruit flavours, using 100% unrefined panela dark brown sugar. Chris believes in meticulously controlled processes to preserve flavours during fermentation. You can visit this Virginia Beach distillery, and pick up a bottle only minutes from the oceanfront. They offer full cocktails and cocktail flights, and like to encourage visitors to try the spirits on their own. It’s open at weekends where they host community events.
Find out more on Chesapeake Bay Distillery
Shenandoah Valley
Between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains lies scenic beauty: rolling hills, farmland, and the Shenandoah River. Blue Ridge foothills nurture vineyards. Natural attractions include Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, hiking trails, and the James River’s stretches (within the Valley), alongside Civil War sites. Vineyards, orchards, and hidden gem rum experiences await you.
Vitae Spirits Distillery
Vitae Spirits Distillery started in 2015 and is in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. Owner and Charlottesville restaurateur, Stefan Friedman took the reigns in 2023 and opened a new, larger tasting room the following year. Vitae is Latin for “of life.” Vitae Spirits Platinum Rum uses Blue Ridge Mountain water, American sugarcane molasses, and yeast, distilled pot still for a flavourful spirit. Vitae Spirits Golden Rum starts as a simple fermentation consisting primarily of water from the slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, American sugar cane molasses, and yeast. To the distillate, they add fresh sugar cane grilled on house-made charcoal in collaboration with their neighbours Ace Biscuit & Barbeque, a bit of molasses, and oak to round the body and produce its enchanting colour. Barrel-aged rum rests in bourbon and wine barrels for 2.5 years. Smoked Rum features pecan wood smoke, cane juice, and oak. Vitae Spirits Spiced Rum has vanilla, cloves, and citrus notes. You can try these rums at the tasting room at 107 East Main St. and the distillery at 715 Henry Ave, both are in Charlottesville. The Downtown Mall tasting room has tastings, cocktails, bottle sales, classes, and tours all highlighting Vitae Spirits Rum. It also regularly hosts special events, and pop-ups with chefs and collaborates with local caterers for private events.
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Central Virginia
Bridging the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, there’s Richmond, at the James River’s fall line. It holds significant Revolutionary War-era history, alongside cultural gems like the Japanese Garden and insights into the Gilded Age. Further inland, rural tranquillity prevails. The James River, a defining feature, provides scenic vistas and outdoor activities. Historic sites, Civil War battlefields and local craft distilleries producing rum are all part of the region’s character.
Trial & Error Distillery
In Richmond, Virginia, Trial & Error Distillery, established in 2017, evolved from a 2010 storefront, Bombolini, located in the historic Fan district. Driven by a love for food and experimentation, the distillery reflects Richmond’s culture, drawing inspiration from local experiences. Trial & Error Distillery produces a Silver Rum, made from sugarcane molasses, and a Golden Rum, aged in bourbon barrels, which enhances the molasses and vanilla notes with a toasted oak and bourbon finish. They also make gin, whiskey, and limoncello, along with grappa and aquavit. Visitors are invited to the distillery to enjoy craft cocktails and pick up a bottle. Begin your own ‘trial’ of their rum.
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Virago Spirits
Virago Spirits, founded in 2018, is a hidden gem in Richmond, Virginia. Barry Haneberg, along with his brother Brad, manages the distilling of craft rum. The company’s philosophy is rooted in time-honoured tradition blended with modern creativity – a common theme among Virginia producers. They distill spirits on a vintage, direct-fire, 2,500-liter Charentais-style alembic still – one of only a few operating in the US. The process is laborious and slow and requires significant patience, skill and attention to detail. Distilling “Low and Slow” – where a single distillation can take upward of 12 hours and a complete distillation cycle (three ‘broullis’ distillations + one ‘bon chauffe’ distillation) requires upwards of 48 hours – this maximises their ability to separate out the crude portions of the distillate and to concentrate flavour. Glycol-chilled water cooling allows for precise control over the temperature of the final distillate, providing for a smoother, more aromatic product. Their Four-Port Rum blends British and Spanish-style rums highlighting diverse Caribbean influences. Virago’s core rum expressions include: Four-Port Rum, a blend of pot and column-distilled rums from Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Panama; Four-Port Rum finished in Ruby Port Casks; 151 High Proof Rum, double-distilled; Cognac Cask Finished Rum, aged in 30-year-old Grande Champagne cognac casks; and Virago’s Classic White Rum. The distillery has an inviting tasting room featuring rum cocktails and flights, and regularly hosts live music events.
Find out more on Virago Spirits
Three Crosses Distilling Company
In Powhatan, Virginia, Three Crosses Distilling Company, owned and operated by John and Michelle Davenport, began producing rum in 2017. Three crosses represent the core values of the distillery: faith, family, and service. It symbolises John’s service in the U.S. Army and the family’s faith, drawing inspiration from the Davenport family crest and the Crusades. Three Crosses Distilling makes classic molasses and sugar-based rum. In particular, they use black pearl molasses and bagasse sugar, the first crystallisation of cane juice into sugar, to create their rums. It is raw, unrefined and full of wonderful flavours. Three Crosses Distilling makes a traditional white rum, a spiced rum, barrel-aged rum, and various flavoured rums, including an Apple Spiced rum. An upcoming release in June 2025 is a 4-year barrel-aged rum, a single-barrel expression aged in freshly emptied whiskey barrels – a rare expression of their rum. Visit the Three Crosses restaurant and bar to watch the distilling process while you sit at the bar sipping their rum.
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Southside Virginia
Rolling farmlands, forests, and rivers define Southside Virginia’s rural landscape, reflecting its agricultural heritage. Bordered by North Carolina, its history is tied to tobacco. Mild climate, lakes, and rivers attract anglers and boaters for family vacations. Civil War sites and local rum distilleries blend these cultural experiences.
Sandy River Distillery
In Rice, Virginia, Sandy River Distillery, established in 2021, is owned by Mark and Candice Smith, who grew up in Saint Maarten in The Caribbean. Their shared love for travel and diverse cultures, particularly in distilling, inspired the distillery. Mark Smith, a long-time homebrewer, took a significant risk by pursuing a distillery permit and investing in a still, making Sandy River Distillery the first legal distillery in Prince Edward County. The shipping containers on the property symbolise their global explorations and trading spirits. Sandy River Distillery produces two rums: a 5-year aged rum, finished in a bourbon barrel, and a Banana Vanilla Rum, made with 5-year aged Caribbean rum, also finished in a bourbon cask. They aim to introduce unique spirits to Virginia, testing traditional boundaries. Visitors can sample spirits in the restored 1840s log cabin tasting room, which was moved from Charlotte Court House. Tastings can be scheduled by email. The Barrelhouse offers wood-fired pizzas, beer, and wine. On-site accommodation is available at Sandy River Outdoor Adventures, a family-friendly glamping resort featuring luxury tipis, open year-round.
Find out more on Sandy River Distillery
Southwest Virginia
Dominated by the Appalachian Mountains, it has stunning vistas, deep valleys, and forested ridges. Roanoke serves as the regional hub. Rugged beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, climbing, and biking. Appalachian culture, including distilling traditions, thrives. The climate varies with elevation. Must-sees are the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail and explore the local coal mining history and rum experiences.
Brady’s Distillery
In Roanoke, Virginia, three natives, Tim, Brian, and Andy, revived a century-old tradition by establishing Brady’s Distillery in 2020. Marking Roanoke’s first distillery since 1909, the family-owned operation present a range of spirits, including rye, bourbon, vodka, and rum. Brady’s Distillery Lazy Jack Rum blends Virginia and U.S. Virgin Islands rums, distilled from pure sugar cane. The blend creates a fusion of the Caribbean and Virginia. Inspired by sailing in the Virgin Islands, this 94-proof rum is designed for cocktails or sipping. They use only the hearts of the spirit during distillation. Brady’s Distillery has a Tasting room open 7 days with cocktails, live entertainment and food trucks, with event details available on their social media.
Find out more on Brady’s Distillery
Franklin County Distilleries in in Boones Mill, Franklin County makes Roanoke Rum. This is moonshine country and they produce whiskey, brandy, rum, and vodka. Roanoke Rum is created using quality unrefined sugar. It’s not a white or dark rum but a golden colour. You can visit the distillery, ba, grill and ABC Store to try this local rum.
Aside from the tasting rooms already mentioned, here are some more places to sip Virginia-made rum locally at bars.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Virginia
Colonial Beach: Dockside Restaurant & Tiki Bar, High Tides On The Potomac, Tiki Hut – The Black Pearl
Midlothian: Sidecar Cocktail Lounge (pictured)
Richmond: Irie Ting Jamaican Grill, The Jasper, Carena’s Jamaican Grille, Can Can Brasserie, Havana 59 Downtown, The Jungle Room, Tiki-Tiki, Rockaway Tiki Bar at New York Deli
Virginia Beach: Bahama Breeze, Havana, El Rincón Tropical, Pa’l Carajo Arepa Lounge, Tortugas Café & Tiki Bar
With so much to see in Virginia, history buffs can visit the Library of Virginia or Hampton History Museum to learn about Virginia as the Birthplace of American Spirits. Rum lovers can seek out Virginia Spirits Month in September, the Virginia Spirits Trail, River City Spirits Festival, local music festivals and the Chincoteague Seafood Festival. Fun fact for Appalachian Trail hikers, Virginia has more miles on the trail than any other state.
Things to note as a visitor in Virginia, distilleries cannot make food in Virginia. By law, distilleries can serve a maximum of 2 cocktails per person per day made primarily from their own spirits. So, plan your road trip on what each distillery offers from their profile links, website and regular events on their socials.
For more general travel advice on Virginia Tourism
For travel planning, use our Virginia Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article and the use of images. Other image credits go to Canva Pro and user contributions.