NEWPORT NEWS — Ironclad Distillery Company is set to open its doors to the bourbon loving public more than 156 years after the business’ namesake — the Battle of the Ironclads — occurred in the Chesapeake Bay.
The craft bourbon distillery will kick off its March 31 grand re-opening with tours, specials and “festivities” from noon to 5 p.m. at the 124 23rd Street location in Newport News, according to an Ironclad Distillery Company news release.
“Nothing pairs better with a glass of bourbon than a good story,” Creative Director for the family-run distillery, Kara King, said in the release. “From our historic building, to our salvaged tasting bar, to the gallery wall curated by The Mariners’ Museum and Park, everything in here has a story to tell.”
The company itself has a story to tell, after it recently raised $450,008 from 599 investors in a crowdfunding campaign, according to the release.
The money from the crowdfunding campaign paid for the renovation of a tasting room and new distilling equipment.
After the renovations the distillery wanted to look back to the past while keeping their eyes on the future.
“For the design, we took a unique approach with references from the grand Warwick Hotel that once stood across the street and added touches of femininity so all those whiskey-loving women will feel welcome, too,” King said in the release.
The distillery’s tasting room will showcase seasonal cocktails “concocted by local mixologist Robert Gregory,” the release said. The tasting room’s hours after the grand opening will be Wednesday through Saturdays from noon to 6:00 p.m., according to the release.
