Stillworks Distillery earns silver at world competition
Stillworks Distillery was recognized at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition with a silver medal for their Allegheny American Single Malt Whiskey. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Stillworks Distillery Brewmaster Chris Hopkins shares the production process for their whiskey, vodka and gin Tuesday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Stillworks Distillery was recognized at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition with a silver medal for their Allegheny American Single Malt Whiskey. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Stillworks Distillery Brewmaster Chris Hopkins shares the production process for their whiskey, vodka and gin Tuesday morning. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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PARKERSBURG -- Stillworks Distillery, located just underneath North End Tavern in Parkersburg, has earned national recognition after its Allegheny American Single Malt Whiskey received a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The award marked the distillery's first time entering a spirits competition, said Chris Hopkins, Stillworks brewmaster and partner.
Hopkins said the distillery entered the whiskey to learn how it compared with other American single malts. Although those involved in producing a spirit naturally favor their own work, he said, the competition offered an outside assessment.
"I was really curious how it stacked up in somebody else's eyes," Hopkins said. "We're biased."
Hopkins said he believed the whiskey compared favorably with other American single malts the partners had tried, but they did not enter the competition expecting to receive a medal.
"We figured, what the heck? Let's see how it stacks up," he said.
After researching several major competitions, including events in New York and London, the partners selected the San Francisco competition because it appeared to offer the recognition they were seeking, Hopkins said. In addition to providing feedback on the product's quality, a medal could help the distillery market its whiskey beyond the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Stillworks grew out of discussions among Hopkins, partner Douglas West and North End Tavern owner Joe Roederscheimer about expanding from brewing into distilling. Hopkins said making spirits appeared to be a natural progression because brewing and distilling share some raw materials, equipment and suppliers.
Hopkins and West also had experimented with home distilling, barrel aging and flavored spirits before Stillworks began commercial production. The partners started pursuing the necessary licenses in 2021, and it took about two years to obtain state and federal approval and prepare the space beneath North End Tavern.
Stillworks began producing spirits in 2022, initially focusing on clear products such as vodka and gin because aged whiskey takes longer to reach the market. Its first product was 304 Vodka, followed by Gin No. 7 and other spirits.
The distillery eventually made American single malt whiskey its primary focus. Unlike bourbon, which must meet specific production requirements, American single malt gave the distillers more freedom to develop a regional flavor and distinguish their product in a less crowded category, Hopkins said.
The award-winning Allegheny whiskey is made with malted barley. It begins aging in a used bourbon barrel before spending two years in an Oloroso sherry cask, which adds a stronger and more distinctive flavor, the partners said.
Stillworks is already planning its next release, a barrel-strength version of the Allegheny American Single Malt. Sometimes called a barrel cut or distiller's cut, the whiskey will be bottled without being diluted to a lower proof.
"It'll have a higher proof, higher alcohol percentage and a little more intense flavor," Hopkins said.
The distillery also has whiskey aging in brandy and freshly emptied bourbon casks. Those products will eventually expand Stillworks' line of American single malts, Hopkins said.
"Our overall goal is to extend our line of American single malts," he said. "It gives us an opportunity to really make our mark in that category."
Stillworks products are available through West Virginia's state-regulated distribution system and may also be purchased directly from the distillery beneath North End Tavern. The business offers Saturday tastings during parts of the year, particularly around the fall and holiday seasons.