New D.C. Distillery to Produce Gin and Whiskey

For John Uselton and Michael Lowe, that the Rickey became the District's official cocktail last year is something of a nice coincidence. The two, after all, are planning on producing gin and whiskey -- both of which can be used in the cocktail -- once they open up their planned New Columbia Distillery this summer.

For Uselton, a former beer buyer at Capitol Hill's Schneider's, and Lowe, a former lawyer and Uselton's father-in-law, opening up the District's first distillery in decades was a matter of both personal interest and market research. Over the last year, three hometown breweries have been established to wild acclaim, and the District is becoming a more discerning town when it comes to drinking.

"Knowing that there were no distilleries in D.C., my father-in-law and I saw a great opportunity. The idea of being the first craft distillery in the District excited us," said Uselton. (The closest alternatives are the Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, which also produces gin, the Mount Vernon Distillery, which produces small amounts of whiskey, and Blackwater Distilling, which produces Sloop Betty vodka.)

With a weeklong distillery internship from Dry Fly Distillery in Spokane, Washington under their belts, an empty 3,500-square-foot warehouse sandwiched between West Virginia Avenue and New York Avenue in the Northeast neighborhood of Ivy City and a new 450-liter still, Uselton and Lowe have started laying the foundation for what they hope a production of 2,000 cases a year of gin and, once properly aged, whiskey. But why gin?

"Vodka is boring! The vodka market is very saturated right now. Additionally, vodka doesn't allow for much if any creativity so it doesn't really appeal to us. We both really enjoy gin and whiskey. And since there is much more wiggle room in the creation of these products, we are able to experiment and make the products unique," said Uselton.

Moreover, Uselton and Lowe add, gin can be made relatively quickly, and they'd like to be producing by the time the warm weather hits and residents start thirsting for gin-and-tonics. (Or Gin Rickeys, of course.) The production of gin will help tide them over as they age their whiskey, which won't likely see the market for another three or four years.

"We intend to sell enough gin that we won't have to release whiskey before it is ready. A lot of craft distilleries are releasing whiskey under two years old. We are planning to barrel age for closer to three or four years. We are still in the decision making process regarding barrels, but we don't plan to use little barrels to short-cut the aging. There are several barrel makers that will make barrels to our specifications," said Uselton.

Beyond building out their eventual distillery and planning the gin recipe that they hope sets them apart, Uselton and Lowe have also started jumping through the necessary regulatory loops. They've met with local civic organizations and ANCs, which could well seem unhappy that a distillery is opening up right next to a possible medical marijuana cultivation center. (Uselton says that the community has been very inviting to them.) They've also followed the lead of the District's breweries and started lobbying the D.C. Council for legislation that would allow them to host on-site tastings.

But unlike their beer-producing brethren, Uselton and Lowe have also been forced to deal with the federal government, which strictly regulates liquor production. Given the sheer tax potential from the sale of liquor, the regulating is left to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the Treasury Department, which will check that Uselton and Lowe aren't under- or over-proofing their gin or sneaking a few bottles off for themselves. More importantly, though, it'll be charging them the usual taxes -- roughly $13.50 per proof gallon (around four bottles), said Lowe.

Citing what they call a "renaissance" in the District over the last few years, Uselton and Lowe are optimistic about the future. Prior to prohibition, they note, the District hosted bot breweries and distilleries, and there's no reason that can't happen again.

We'll drink to that. A Gin Rickey, of course.

Additional reporting by Jamie Liu

Contact the author of this article or email tips@dcist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Martin Austermuhle in Food on January 24, 2012 10:30 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

NikS

I love the way the NE is changing and that to so fast. The new restaurants and businesses are certainly making a good change for the city!

Melissa Hopper

So awesome! With the new breweries in the District and now this distillery, DC is really starting to recreate itself into a town known for its local character rather than its politics.

Fluxgirl

Just make sure the natives don't get into that firewater!!

Muppie

They should build apartments on top. I would so totally move there.

katydid13

I wonder if they will give tours? My home state of Kentucky has built a thriving industry in the last couple of decades around touring distilleries. Some of them are even located in "dry" counties so they can't do tastings, although I think that is changing.

NewColumbiaDistillrs

We will give tours -- and if the DC Council cooperates, tastings and sales at the distillery as well. Watch this space....

BombaySplashVermouth

Yea!
My favorite vacation tours are distilleries, breweries, wine cellars and large liquor stores.

Kittyliteral

But why gin?

But why gin?!?

If I have to tell you, you don't deserve to know.

PedanticMFr

Awhile ago at a bar, I ordered a gin & tonic. The bartender asked for ID. Surprised he was carding me, I said, "You can't be serious." He replied, "I'm not, I just wanted to check bc you look good for being 80."

I never went back there again.

Kittyliteral

That's sad. Because if you've never had a Gin Buck (excellent summer drink and a refreshing alternative to a G&T), an Aviation, a White Lady, a Bee's Knees, or -- God help me, these are dessert in a glass -- a properly made Ramos Gin Fizz, you don't know what you're missing.

(Anytime you want to piss off a bartender, order a Ramos, which is shaken for no less than 3 minutes.)

mensan98th

All of those are excellent drinks. I try to warn people off sloe gin because it's not what they're expecting. It's not bad, just not what it might seem to be. I also don't recommend it as a shot on top of five other, different gin drinks.

BombaySplashVermouth

I like to tell people that gins have more taste vareity than whiskey. And, they should try gins that are more than $10/gallon.

CJ_Scudworth

It must not have been in DC, because gin and tonic seems to be the defacto drink of the non beer-drinker male here.

PedanticMFr

Correct, Vermont. And it goes to show how long it's been since I ordered anything but beer at bars in DC bc I am completely unaware that they are now that common.

CJ_Scudworth

Maybe it's just me. They seem ubiquitous in the 20-something yuppie demographic who don't know what else to order.

Kev29

I wish G&T was popular with the average male, but it's usually vodka and soda/tonic. Typical for the neutered 20th Century male.

PedanticMFr

I can see it being the case. Kinda saddens me.
Looking back, I realize I was only insulted by the bartender bc I knew his intent. I should've taken it as a complement in a way.

gtsix

I've tried, but gin is just not my cuppa.

But whiskey and i are old old friends. I'll patiently await their product.

Packherd

I'll admit to being gin ignorant until a few weeks ago when the owner of Wisdom schooled me. I've seen the light.

Xin XinH

Don't forget Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville! Single malt and rye whiskeys not far from DC.

BombaySplashVermouth

Whiskey and Gin. The two most important items on my shopping list.

Modestproposal1

I wholeheartedly endorse this product and/or service.

DCIST GIN-SOAKED HAPPY HOUR!!!

ms_last_minute

I concur.

ADrauglis

Sweet! Please continue dumping more things like this in Ward 5.

IMGoph

amen

poopieface

"a distillery is opening up right next to a possible medical marijuana cultivation center."

DC has just become the greatest city in the universe. Or at least in the mid-Atlantic.

poopieface

I want to go to there.

CJ_Scudworth

So much drama in the LBC
It's kinda hard bein' Snoop D-O-double-G

Kev29

Cyclin' down the street, doin' endos, sippin' on artisan pre-prohibition cocktails...

Laaaaaaiiiiid back

With my mind on my mustache
And my mustache on my mind

poopieface

So I somehow, some way, keep comin up with funky ass shit like every single day
May I kick a little sumpin for G's and make a few ends as I breeze through, 2 in tha morning and the party's still jumpin cause my mama aint home

ms_last_minute

Out of my head.

CJ_Scudworth

Into your car?

Guest

This Comment Has Been Tagged as Being in Possible Violation of the Third Geneva Convention.

mirrorballdc

Summer? But I want it now.

Jaynuze

I'm surprised that they aren't capitalizing on the new white whiskey approach ... aka, rich man's moonshine. They could age a portion in barrels and offset the cost of aging with the sale of white whiskey. Catoctin Creek, which also distills rye, brandy, fruit liquors, etc., has made a nice impact on the market with their Mosby's spirit.

mensan98th

I am doomed.

Qwerkie

♫ Sloe Gin Fizzy, do it till you're dizzy. Give it all ya got until you're put out of your misery! ♫

Dread_Pirate_Roberts

GOOD ARTICLE!

DCTransplant

I find "Uselton and Lowe add, gin can be made relatively quickly, ..." comment to be somewhat disturbing. Bathtub gin can be made relatively quickly, but not so for good gin. I wonder if they are planning on making good quality products or ...

monkeyrotica

Will the distillery be cyclist-friendly? Also, what's their position on the Occupy movement? Finally, how's the rat pudding? Great or just meh?

IMGoph

west virginia avenue is nearly flat (former railroad grade) and is a signed bicycle route. the city is adding bike lanes to it this year (supposedly), so yeah, it's cyclist friendly if you're coming from the south.