CRAFT DISTILLERY

Reservoir Distillery

Richmond,
Virginia
— Bourbon, Rye, Other

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌾
Local Sourcing
Virginia grains from farms within 100 miles
🥃
Wheat Whiskey
Rare 100% wheat whiskey most distilleries skip
🛠️
Grain to Glass
Mill their own grain, control every step
🏭
Working Distillery
Tour the actual production floor, not showroom
Full Size Barrels
53-gallon barrels for complex aging, not shortcuts
👥
Owner-Led Tours
Dave and Jay often guide tours themselves
📞 (804) 912-2621
🌐 http://www.reservoirdistillery.com/
📍 1800A Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Virginia's First Legal Whiskey Since Prohibition

Reservoir Distillery sits in a converted 1940s warehouse in Richmond’s industrial Scott’s Addition neighborhood, where husband-and-wife team Dave Cuttino and Jay Carpenter have been making whiskey since 2008. Dave, a former investment banker, and Jay, who worked in marketing, started the distillery after Dave became obsessed with whiskey-making during a trip to Scotland. They’re Virginia’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition, which meant convincing state officials to change laws that hadn’t been updated in decades. The 8,000-square-foot facility houses custom-built copper pot stills and produces bourbon, rye whiskey, and wheat whiskey using 100% Virginia-grown grains. What began as a two-person operation has grown into one of the state’s most respected craft distilleries, with their bottles now distributed across multiple states. The tasting room occupies the front of the warehouse, where exposed brick walls and industrial fixtures create an atmosphere that’s more working distillery than polished showroom. You can watch the production process through large windows while sampling their lineup of whiskeys, all aged on-site in full-size barrels rather than the smaller barrels some craft distilleries use.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

100% Virginia Grain From Local Farms

Reservoir’s claim to uniqueness starts with their 100% Virginia grain sourcing—they work directly with farmers within 100 miles of the distillery, including wheat from a farm that’s been in the same family for seven generations. Their production approach breaks from typical craft distillery norms by using only full-size 53-gallon barrels for aging, which takes longer but produces more complex flavors than the smaller barrels many craft operations rely on for faster maturation. The distillery also operates one of the few true grain-to-glass operations in Virginia, milling their own grain and controlling every step from fermentation through bottling. Dave and Jay’s commitment to patience shows in their flagship bourbon, which they age a minimum of two years when many craft distilleries rush products to market in months.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Real Working Warehouse Not a Tourist Show

Tours happen in the actual production space where you’ll smell the sweet mash fermenting in open-top tanks and hear the copper stills bubbling away. Dave or Jay often lead tours themselves, walking you through their mash bills and explaining why they chose specific Virginia farms for their grain sourcing. The tasting room feels like stepping into their working warehouse because that’s exactly what it is—you might see them moving barrels or cleaning equipment during your visit. Tastings include their core lineup plus seasonal releases, served neat with water on the side so you can taste how the whiskeys open up. The whole experience runs about 45 minutes and feels more like visiting friends who happen to make excellent whiskey than a polished tourist attraction.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Authentic Craft Experience Worth the Trip

If you’re curious about craft whiskey or want to see a real working distillery where the owners still get their hands dirty, Reservoir delivers an authentic experience. Whiskey enthusiasts will appreciate tasting spirits from someone who can explain exactly which farm grew the grain in your glass and why they chose that particular yeast strain. The casual atmosphere works well for people intimidated by stuffier distillery experiences, though serious collectors should know their limited releases sell out quickly. This isn’t the place for large groups or anyone expecting entertainment beyond good whiskey and conversation. The location in Scott’s Addition also puts you walking distance from several breweries and restaurants if you want to make an afternoon of it.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website for tour times since they don’t run on a set schedule—production needs come first. Parking can be tight on weekends when the neighborhood gets busy, but there’s usually street parking within a block or two. Ask about their barrel program if you’re interested in private selections, and don’t miss trying their wheat whiskey if it’s available since most distilleries don’t make one. Dave and Jay love talking about their Virginia grain sources, so ask about the farms they work with if you want to geek out on terroir. Tours sometimes get delayed if they’re in the middle of distilling, but that means you might catch them actually making whiskey.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Reservoir Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to book tours in advance?
Yes, call ahead or check their website since tours don’t run on a fixed schedule. Production needs take priority, so they arrange tours around distilling operations.
What makes Reservoir different from other Virginia distilleries?
They use 100% Virginia-grown grains sourced within 100 miles of the distillery and age everything in full-size 53-gallon barrels instead of smaller craft barrels. They’re also Virginia’s first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition.
Can I buy bottles that aren’t available in stores?
Yes, they often have distillery-only releases and single barrel selections available in their tasting room. Limited releases tend to sell out quickly, so ask about current availability when you visit.

GETTING THERE

Find Reservoir Distillery

📍1800A Summit Ave, Richmond, VA 23230, USA

 — 

📞 (804) 912-2621

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