Lovingston, Virginia-based Virginia Distillery Co. and The Ritz-Carlton of Georgetown, Washington, D.C., are excited to announce the launch of The Draftsmen, a unique and interactive whisky blending experience and offering. This collaboration invites whisky enthusiasts to craft their own custom whisky blend, drawing inspiration from the company’s rich history and dedication to craftsmanship.
The story of Virginia Distillery Co. began with three visionary men—George Moore, Jim Swan, and Harry Cockburn—who, while gazing out at the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, envisioned a distillery that would push the boundaries of whisky making in America. A businessman, a chemist, and an engineer, these men drafted a future few could have imagined. Their vision is now being celebrated with The Draftsmen, an exclusive blending experience that allows enthusiasts of single malt whisky to take part in the creation of their own bespoke whisky.
Whisky enthusiasts can select from a variety of fully finished single malt whiskies – each aged to perfection in bourbon, wine, or sherry casks. With these individual whiskies, participants can blend them together to create a personalized flavor profile. Once crafted, the unique blend can be bottled and customized with a name or logo, making it a truly one-of-a-kind whisky. This offering is designed to provide both whisky aficionados and newcomers with the opportunity to experience the art of blending firsthand.
With its iconic smokestack dominating the neighborhood skyline, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. is one of the most distinctive hotels in Georgetown. The historic hotel incorporates the renovation of a turn-of-the-century industrial building erected in 1932, and today, serves as an integral part of the Georgetown cityscape – offering guests a quiet, intimate hotel experience. While rooted in history, the boutique property boasts high-end and modern comforts from oversized guest rooms and suites, a luxury spa, twelve dedicated Wellness Rooms featuring amenities focused on fitness, relaxation and more restful sleep. For the food-obsessed, Degrees Bistro offers cocktails and artisanal dishes prepared with the utmost level of attention.
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., is the first luxury hotel to have crafted its own exclusive blend of The Draftsmen. This release will be available at the hotel and featured in their specially designed cocktail, ‘The Draftsmen Black Manhattan’, available at Degrees Bistro. To celebrate the launch of this bespoke offering, The Ritz-Carlton gifted a bottle of The Draftsmen to every guest of the hotel during the 2025 presidential inauguration. This one-of-a-kind release, with a distinctive cocktail, encapsulates the truly bespoke experience of staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
For those who won’t have the chance to experience this exceptional The Draftsmen selection, Virginia Distillery Co. is offering ‘The Draftsmen At-Home Blending Kits’ for purchase on its website. These kits allow consumers to craft their ideal blend and subsequently order that bespoke blend in a 750ml custom bottle with a personalized label, bringing the art of bespoke whisky blending directly to their homes.
“We are thrilled to launch The Draftsmen in collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, Washington D.C.” said Gareth Moore, CEO of Virginia Distillery Co. “This project is a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and personal expression. It allows whisky enthusiasts to step into the shoes of the distiller, crafting a unique whisky blend that’s truly their own. We can’t wait for hotel guests to experience this one-of-a-kind offering, and we’re equally excited to see how people craft their ideal whisky at-home.”
“At The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., we always strive to create personalized and memorable experiences for our guests,” said Rishi Malhotra, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, Washington D.C. “We are delighted to be partnering with Virginia Distillery Co. to bring The Draftsmen experience to our guests. This innovative concept that allows our guests to craft their own unique single malt whiskey perfectly complements our commitment to providing exceptional luxury and bespoke services.”
For more information about The Draftsmen experience or to order blending kits, visit draftmywhisky.com. To find additional proprietors that carry Virginia Distillery Co. products, you can find them with the Store Locator tool on vadistillery.com.