Catoctin Creek Distilling Company sits on West Main Street in Purcellville, Virginia, making it the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since Prohibition. Founded in 2009 by Scott and Becky Harris, the operation started when Scott, a software engineer, and Becky, a chemical engineer, decided to turn their shared passion for spirits into something real. They spent years navigating regulations and convincing local officials that a distillery could work in their historic downtown. The couple opened their doors in a restored building that used to house various Main Street businesses over the decades. They focus on rye whiskey and gin, taking an organic approach that sets them apart from most craft distilleries. Scott handles the distilling while Becky manages the business side, and they’ve built their reputation on doing things differently. The distillery operates with a 400-gallon copper pot still from Germany, and they’re serious about their organic certifications. You’ll find them making Roundstone Rye, various seasonal gins, and limited releases that showcase what happens when engineers apply precision to traditional distilling methods. The space feels like a working distillery first, tasting room second, which means you’re seeing the real operation when you visit.