One Eight Distilling Rock Creek Rye Whiskey a First for Washington D.C.

We’ve enjoyed watching One Eight Distilling out of Washington D.C. develop its whiskey program. They originally caught our eye with their innovative and slightly eclectic Untitled Series, the majority of which we reviewed earlier this year. They are back now with what’s being billed as the District’s first grain to glass rye whiskey since Prohibition to be distilled, aged, and bottled there.

What’s known as One Eight Distilling Rock Creek Rye Whiskey is distilled from a mash bill that made up of locally grown rye, malted rye, and corn. The whiskey was produced on a copper pot still and aged for an undisclosed amount of time in new American oak barrels before being bottled at 94 proof.

“Rock Creek Rye Whiskey is unique because of the terroir of its locally harvested MD and VA rye,” said One Eight co-founder and head distiller Alex Laufer in a prepared statement. “Our high malted rye mash bill adds additional richness, complexity and depth.”

“Rock Creek Rye Whiskey is the culmination of our passion for combining innovation and tradition to create exceptional spirits,” added co-owner Sandy Wood. “With none of the grassy notes of a young rye, it’s a full-bodied whiskey with the spicy characteristics of rye balanced with a little sweetness and rich malted flavors. We’re proud and excited to release the first whiskey distilled and bottled in DC since Prohibition.”

The whiskey is currently pricing around $50 and looks to be available at the moment in the greater D.C. area. Its namesake, Rock Creek Park, is regional to the distillery. Before it became a park, however, it “was populated by farms and several mills along the creek, including the historic Peirce Mill, dating back to the 18th century. These mills ground locally grown crops, including corn, wheat and rye.” These grains supplied small distilleries which made whiskey, but like so many other parts of the country the industry was wiped out when Prohibition came into being.