Whiskey Out and About: Whiskey and Politics Visits Song Dog Farm Distillery

Song Dog Farm Distillery

18 Oct 25

It was a beautiful day - high, wispy cirrus clouds stretched across a blue sky, and the temperature hovered around 73°F (23°C). I had recently learned of a local distillery.  While they’d been making whiskey for over five years now, they just opened a tasting room.  Always happy to taste local whiskies, the missus, our dog, and I jumped in the minivan and went for a drive.  

Located under a flight path for Dulles, the distillery is also a great spot for plane watching. It’s about an hour’s drive from central Fairfax County and once you’re off the interstate, there’s pleasant country roads with beautiful views.  Along the way we passed a winery that rather pretentiously advertised “no children, no dogs.” Needless to say, that’s not where we’ll be spending our time (or money).

Song Dog, by contrast, couldn’t be more welcoming. Pups are happily invited, and plenty of them were enjoying the day when we visited on Saturday. There’s lots of open space for kids to play, lawn games for everyone, and a covered porch for shade. Inside the tasting room, seating is limited - so come early once colder weather sets in.  A visiting food truck served up excellent gyros along with a variety of other tasty options.

The distillery produces straight bourbon, straight rye, gin, and vodka (as many do), but they also make something a bit different: Song Dog Rock and Rye. For those unfamiliar, Rock and Rye is a classic American liqueur that dates back to the late 19th century. It’s traditionally made by blending rye whiskey with rock candy, originally promoted as a medicinal tonic for coughs and colds.

We tried Song Dog’s take on it in their pre-mixed cocktail version, which includes orange, cherries, and spices - a refreshing mid-autumn drink. My wife suggested it would be fantastic served warm, and I agree; it has all the makings of a cozy hot toddy.

Their cocktail menu, while not extensive, is thoughtfully crafted. Highlights include the Song Dog Old Fashioned, the Chamomile Bees Knees (featuring chamomile-infused gin, lemon, and honey), an Amaro Spritz, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Blueberry Lemonades. I wouldn’t be surprised if their cocktail offerings expand as they continue to grow.

I sampled a flight of their bourbon, rye, and gin - and enjoyed all three. I ended up bringing home bottles of their Song Dog Straight Bourbon Whiskey and their Song Dog Straight Rye Whiskey (both 47%ABV). For a young distillery, their whiskies show impressive maturity; they don’t have that “young” flavor that many new operations struggle to avoid.

The corn for their bourbon is grown in the fields around the distillery and the rye is sourced from nearby farms.  Here’s a bit about their approach, in their own words:

“We are a farm distillery crafting authentic, modern spirits, made for every occasion. Our passion for people, place, and process comes through in every drop. Our whiskies are perfect neat or in your favorite cocktail - made with love by us, for you.

Our bourbon is distilled from locally grown heirloom red corn and aged in custom barrels. We hand-blend carefully selected barrels with different char and toast levels for exceptional, balanced flavor.”

If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend outing, skip the overly formal wineries and head to Song Dog Farm Distillery instead. It’s an easy, scenic drive from the heart of the DMV, and you’ll be rewarded with great spirits, friendly faces, and a laid-back atmosphere. Highly recommended. ચીયર્સ!