Silverback Distillery sits on Rockfish Valley Highway in Afton, Virginia, a small community nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Founded by Chris Richeson and Matt Strickland, two friends who transitioned from corporate careers to craft distilling, the operation launched in 2016 after years of planning and navigating Virginia’s regulatory landscape. The distillery occupies a purpose-built facility where they produce bourbon, rye whiskey, and moonshine using traditional copper pot stills alongside modern equipment. Richeson, a former engineer, and Strickland, who came from the business world, spent considerable time learning the craft before opening their doors. They focused on creating a Virginia distillery that honored Appalachian traditions while incorporating modern techniques. The facility features a production area where visitors can see the milling, mashing, and distillation process, along with a tasting room that showcases their growing portfolio of aged and unaged spirits. The experience centers around understanding how whiskey develops from grain to glass, with an emphasis on the local ingredients and Virginia’s emerging distilling scene. You’ll taste products ranging from their clear corn whiskey to aged bourbon, while learning about the patience required in whiskey making. The operation remains small enough that you might meet one of the founders during your visit, and they’re genuinely interested in talking about their journey from corporate life to craft distilling.