CRAFT by Under My Host® Issue No. 16 Made in America: Part I | Page 82

W W W. C R A F T BY U M H . C O M
Chief Distiller Becky Harris of the Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
is a highly respected person in a historically male-dominated indus-
try. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, this chemical engi-
neer-turned-distiller aims for perfection, which means, no short cuts,
no sub-par ingredients, and no settling for second best. At Harris’
Purcellville, Va. distillery, she artfully crafts everything from whiskey to
moonshine, to special fruit brandies and even gin, Harris’ spectacular
line-up has something for all discerning palettes.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Harris, here’s what she
had to say.
Where does your passion for distilling come from?
It’s funny cause it kind of came out of actually doing it. The business idea
was my husband’s—he had come to the idea of doing a distillery through the
passion of whiskey and spirits. I wasn’t much of a drinker, and I still haven’t
explored too many whiskies. When we started, I was more, “I’m an engineer,
I know I can do this. I’ll figure it out.” I did the classes and got so excited,
like, “Oh wow, look at the different things you can do with flavor!” Above all,
it (our products) has to taste really good. That’s what we live by.
Yours was the first legal distillery in Loudoun County, Va. since prohibition.
Yeah! We’re located outside of the city; they market it locally as Washington,
D.C.’s wine country. When we started there were 40 wineries in the area but
no distilleries. We thought, all the people coming out for wine could check
out our distillery! The landscape here is changing as quickly as everywhere
else, but yes, we were definitely the first.
What’s the best way to enjoy your products?
It’s funny because those are kind of marketing questions, and man, maybe
because I’m an engineer, that’s really perplexing to me. I’ve heard people
say, “You own the camp fire!” I’d like it to be peoples go-to. I’m proudest
when people come to me and say, “Oh yeah, this is what I drink all the time.”
It’s reliable. Not for special occasions, not pretentious. It’s just something
you can rely on.
What’s your favorite from the spirits line up?
I like to compare this to being a mom: I’ve got a whole bunch of kids here. I
make brandies, gin, rye, whiskey, and I love them all. It kind of depends on
what day for which. I love the peach brandy, and today it’s the gin. It really is
like being a mom.