A Toast to Virginia Bourbon

MurLarkey Distilled Spirits cut the ribbon of their new distillery and tasting room at the NOVA LIVE campus (formerly Farm Brew LIVE) in Manassas last week with the help of Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura.

This milestone represents multiple years of planning, an $8.1 million capital investment, and a state AFID grant, reinforcing the county’s commitment to the craft beverage industry and agritourism sector.

"Agriculture is the largest industry in the Commonwealth with $80 billion dollars a year of economic impact— but tourism is the second largest industry," said Secretary Lohr. "This project is even more special to us because all of the grains that are that are used in making these great products are Virginia grown."

The relocation to NOVA LIVE, a 12-acre entertainment campus featuring 2 Silos Brewing Co., The Black Sheep Restaurant, and live music venue The Yard, positions MurLarkey as a destination in the Innovation Park business district. The new facility will significantly increase production capacity and enhance visitor experiences, offering guided tours, tastings, and a glimpse into the art of distillation.

"Prince William County is being transformed," said Secretary Segura. "Prince William County is becoming an ecosystem for the life sciences and for entertainment. So many great things are happening here and we're excited to support them."

Established in 2013 by cousins Tom Murray, Mike Larkin, and Jim Larkin, MurLarkey began with a modest 23-gallon copper still and a vision to produce premium, small-batch spirits. Today the distillery is part of a 25,000 square foot expansion, including the new restaurant Proof, catering company Everyone Eats, and a 5,000 square foot rickhouse.

"I'd ask for you to think a moment about all the ideas that literally were created on the back of a bar napkin," said Supervisor Tom Gordy, Brentsville District, Prince William Board of County Supervisors. "People will escape from their offices where things are formal, where they're stifled, where there's stress, and they will come to a place where they can relax, where they can get together and collaborate and create ideas on the back of a napkin."

Emphasizing a "farm-to-flask" philosophy, the distillery sources 100% of its grains—corn, rye, and barley—from Virginia farms, and utilizes local resources like oak barrels from Roanoke. This dedication to local sourcing not only supports regional agriculture but also imparts a distinctive Virginian character to their award-winning spirits.

The Emmy-nominated documentary Crafting a Virginia Legacy chronicles the distillery's evolution and its impact on the local community. The film underscores the founders' dedication to quality, sustainability, and community engagement.