A Visit With Falls Church Distillers

By Douglas Fraser

Every weekend I hear music, dancing, socializing, and an overall laid back atmosphere emanating from the local distillery, Falls Church Distillers, next to where I live. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the distillery turned itself into our local vender for hand sanitizer. One day on my run around the neighborhood, I decided to stop to get some sanitizer and see what they were all about. After telling them I live in the area and was writing for The Whiskey Reviewer, they agreed to come and let me see what the operation is about.

Locally owned and family operated by U.S. Air Force Veteran Mike and his wife Tabitha Paluzzi  opened the business in July 2017, after years of dreaming of opening an urban distillery. Mike wanted to start a family business after retirement, so as to leave his kids with a business. They also  wanted to create a social area where people from the community can gather and have some nice drinks together.

Walking up I noticed a large American flag hanging from the wall, several picnic tables, and a large Aim High Sanitizer sign that represents their hand sanitizer brand. Upon entering you notice a small bar with small seating area and a fence that divides the public portion and the distiller operations. I was given a tour by their Chief Chemist, Kallie Stavros, who showed me their hybrid still used for making whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka, as well as their experimentation table. I then was able to see several barrels maturing some bourbon, whiskey, and rum in medium charred, 53-gallon oak casks.

On the weekends, the distillery hires local bands to play for a musical night or two. Mike intentionally puts the bands next to the maturing whiskey, so that the vibrations can affect the spirits in the barrels. The laid-back atmosphere, music, and friendly staff make the distillery a place to have a nice whiskey and have a sense of friendly community.

The distillery began with making a brandy, however now their lineup includes expressions such as an American whiskey (my favorite from the distillery), bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and are experimenting with some recipes for spiced rum. If you’re ever in Falls Church, VA, stop by the distillery, have a drink, and taste some of the local restaurants and you won’t be disappointed.