How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Maryland, Virginia

Copper Fox Distillery Williamsburg

Williamsburg,

Maryland, Virginia

— Whiskey

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🍎

Wood Smoking

Apple cherry smoke before fermentation

🥃

Single Malt

Scottish methods American wood acceleration

🔧

Barrel Innovation

Wood chips inserted during aging

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Bowmore Training

Apprenticed at legendary Scottish distillery

👨‍🔬

Working Floor

See smoking equipment in daily operation

📍

Historic Location

Minutes from Colonial Williamsburg attractions

📞 (757) 903-2076

🌐 http://www.copperfoxdistillery.com/

📍 901 Capitol Landing Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Wood-Smoked Whisky In Colonial Virginia

Copper Fox Distillery Williamsburg sits on Capitol Landing Road in Virginia’s historic Colonial Williamsburg area, founded by Rick Wasmund in 2016 as the second location of his innovative whisky operation. Wasmund, a former investment banker turned distiller, opened his first Copper Fox location in Sperryville, Virginia in 2005 after apprenticing at the Bowmore Distillery in Scotland. The Williamsburg facility operates in a modern industrial space that houses both production equipment and a tasting room, focusing on American single malt whisky using Wasmund’s signature wood-smoking techniques. You’ll find a working distillery that produces several thousand cases annually using custom-built stills and Wasmund’s unconventional approach to aging and flavoring spirits. The operation combines Scottish whisky-making traditions with American innovation, particularly through their use of apple and cherry wood smoke during malting and aging processes. Wasmund’s background in finance gave him the business acumen to expand his craft distilling vision, while his time in Scotland provided the technical foundation for creating distinctly American single malt whiskies that challenge traditional bourbon and rye categories.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Apple and Cherry Smoke Changes Everything

Copper Fox stands apart through Rick Wasmund’s pioneering work in American single malt whisky, using techniques virtually no other American distiller employs. They smoke their barley malt with apple and cherry wood before fermentation, then continue the wood influence during aging by inserting toasted wood chips directly into barrels rather than relying solely on barrel char. This creates flavor profiles you won’t find elsewhere – whiskies that taste distinctly American but follow single malt production methods typically associated with Scotland. Wasmund’s apprenticeship at Bowmore makes him one of the few American distillers formally trained in Scottish techniques, and his willingness to break traditional aging rules by accelerating wood interaction has influenced craft distillers nationwide. The Williamsburg location also serves as both production facility and visitor destination, letting you see the smoking process and barrel manipulation techniques that make their spirits genuinely different from standard American whiskey.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Working Production Floor Not Tourist Theater

You’ll tour a working production facility where the smell of wood smoke hits you immediately – that’s the apple and cherry wood used in Wasmund’s malting process. The tasting room overlooks the production floor where you can see the custom stills and smoking equipment in action during operating hours. Tours walk you through the entire process from smoking barley to the barrel room where staff demonstrate how wood chips are inserted into aging barrels, a technique that’s visually interesting and completely different from traditional coopering. Tastings focus on their core single malt expressions alongside seasonal releases, with knowledgeable staff explaining how the wood smoking translates to specific flavors in your glass. The space feels industrial but welcoming, with Wasmund or his team often available to discuss their unconventional methods with genuine enthusiasm rather than rehearsed scripts.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Innovation You Won't Find Anywhere Else

If you’re curious about American single malt whisky or want to experience production techniques you won’t see anywhere else, absolutely. Copper Fox appeals most to whisky enthusiasts who appreciate innovation and aren’t locked into bourbon-only thinking – their spirits taste distinctly different from typical American whiskeys. The educational value is high because Wasmund’s methods are genuinely unique and well-explained. However, if you’re expecting traditional bourbon tours or elaborate gift shops, you might be disappointed. This is a working craft distillery focused on production rather than entertainment, though the innovation factor makes it more interesting than many larger operations. The location in Williamsburg also makes it easy to combine with other historical attractions if you’re already in the area.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting since production schedules can affect tour availability and the experience is much better when you can see equipment in operation. The facility is located on Capitol Landing Road, easily accessible from Colonial Williamsburg’s main tourist area but in a more industrial setting than you might expect. Weekend visits often provide the best chance to meet Wasmund himself, who’s genuinely passionate about explaining his techniques to visitors. Try their Rye whisky alongside the single malt to understand how their wood smoking affects different grain bills. Don’t expect a polished visitor center – this is primarily a production facility that welcomes guests rather than a tourism destination, which some people prefer for its authenticity. Parking is available on-site and the location works well as part of a Williamsburg area trip.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Copper Fox Distillery Williamsburg — Visitor FAQ

What makes Copper Fox different from other American whisky distilleries?

They smoke their barley malt with apple and cherry wood before fermentation, then add toasted wood chips directly to aging barrels rather than relying only on barrel char. This creates flavor profiles unlike traditional American whiskeys, combining Scottish single malt techniques with innovative American aging methods.

Do I need to make a reservation for tours and tastings?

Yes, it’s best to call ahead or book online since this is primarily a working production facility. Tour availability depends on production schedules, and advance notice ensures staff can provide proper attention to your visit.

Can I meet Rick Wasmund, the founder, during my visit?

Wasmund is often present, especially on weekends, and enjoys talking with visitors about his techniques and Scottish training. While not guaranteed, there’s a good chance you’ll meet him or other key team members during your visit since it’s a small operation.

GETTING THERE

Find Copper Fox Distillery Williamsburg

📍901 Capitol Landing Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA

—

📞 (757) 903-2076

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