Tag: Founding Spirits American Whiskey

Lighting Up Nats Park with Founding Spirits

Last modified: March 23, 2023

DC’s first Enchant Christmas has come to town creating a winter wonderland at our beloved Nationals Park, and Founding Spirits is delighted to take part in the festivities.

As one of the official Enchant Christmas sponsors, Founding Spirits is featured in some very special ways. We have created a unique cocktail that is already Instagram famous. Our Founding Spirits Enchanted Cocktail, served in a super cool light bulb cup, is the perfect mix of our Founding Spirits award-winning vodka, spiced syrup, lemon, and apple juice. Enchant Christmas is also warming guests up with hot chocolate spiked with our Founding Spirits American Amaro. 

Enchant Christmas DC is the place to light up your holiday season. The festivities include the world’s largest Christmas light maze, a holiday food & Christmas market, and an ice skating trail that winds through this magical space. Enchant is in town through December 29th. Tickets are available here. 

If you can’t make it to Nats Park, there are several local bars and restaurants in and around the Navy Yard area that carry Founding Spirits too, including The Ugly Mug, The Salt Line, and Roy Boys. Or, stop by Founding Farmers & Distillers – home of DC’s #1 local Vodka – where we have a bar menu sure to lift your spirits.

A Festival of Whiskey & Fine Spirits

Last modified: March 23, 2023

Last night, our Founding Spirits team participated in the eighth annual Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival, hosted by the district’s own Washingtonian magazine. This year’s event was held at Dock5, DC’s unique warehouse space located in historic Union Market. 

Our Founding Spirits team served tastings of two of our award-winning spirits: our Founding Spirits American Amaro and Founding Spirits American Whiskey. Guests also sampled a wide array of other premium whiskeys and fine spirits. Over 500 attendees enjoyed this annual event, mingling with other spirit lovers and grooving to the rock cover band sounds of the 7 Deadlies.

If you couldn’t join this year’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival, please stop by the bar at Founding Farmers & Distillers for a taste of our amaro and American whiskey, as well as our DC’s #1 local Vodka, all handcrafted at our on-site distillery. 

Our spirits can also be purchased online, and make great holiday gifts for all of the cocktail lovers on your list. For a special Saturday treat, book a Tour & Tasting with some friends to get a behind the scenes look into our Founding Spirits distillery… and, of course, stay for a great meal. 

Unite the District

Last modified: October 15, 2019

Great music, food & drink – that’s definitely a combination that is sure to Unite the District! On Friday, October 4th Founding Spirits joined some of DC’s best restaurants and breweries at Audi Field for Unite the District. From cuisine and arts to drinks and music, this unique, first-of-its-kind event combined all things DC and what makes our city so special. 

Event goers arrived at Audi Field at 7pm on Friday with a welcome Unite the District tasting glass, then all were invited to explore tastings from local breweries, restaurants, and distilleries. The Founding Spirits crew served up our FS Mule, made with our very own Founding Spirits Vodka, ginger, lime, and mint. Not only was our handcrafted cocktail a hit with event attendees, but the event band, Black Alley, also came by to enjoy the FS Mule and our FS American Whiskey.

If you weren’t able to attend, or just love our FS Mule and our spirits, come on over to Farmers & Distillers, the restaurant where Founding Spirits is located. If you’d like to craft your own version of a mule, you can purchase our award-winning Founding Spirits Vodka as well as our amaro and American whiskey online or at 30+ local retailers across the DMV.

You can also join us on Saturdays for our free Tour & Tasting, starting at 11am. Book your tour today. 

Citi Open 2019: That’s a Wrap

Last modified: August 16, 2019

As the Official Vodka and American Whiskey of the 2019 Citi Open – one of DC’s biggest sporting events – our tennis tournament week was packed full of festivities: from our popular kickoff event and tasty spirits to lively tastings and some friendly competition that extended beyond the courts of the Rock Creek Tennis Center.  

In addition to serving our tasty craft cocktails to guests all week long, we hosted a Founding Spirits Cocktail Clash, giving six of DC’s top bartenders the challenge of mixing their most delicious Highball using any of our Founding Spirits. 

  • Roger Molina, Farmers & Distillers, introduced the Ace Highball, his take on a classic Aperol Spritz, made with Founding Spirits Vodka, lemon, mint, club soda, and Aperol. 
  • Christine Kim, Service Bar, played with fresh peaches and Founding Spirits Vodka in her Game-Set-Peach cocktail.
  • Frank Mills, Roy Boys, was definitely the star of the {Boomerang} show with his charismatic shake making the rounds on Instagram. His Love & Match-rimoney Highball, made with Founding Spirits Vodka, grapefruit, and florals, was packed full of just as much punch.
  • Andra Johnson, Serenata, mixed up her It’s All Love cocktail, with a choice of Founding Spirits Vodka or our Founding Spirits American Whiskey blended with flavors everyone seemed to love, including: strawberry, banana, pomegranate, ginger, and walnut, to name a few. 
  • Eric King, 100 Proof Strategies, came in strong with his Brown Derby Energy, mixing Founding Spirits American Whiskey with a spiced grapefruit syrup that was understated, yet full of flavor.  
  • Jo-Jo Valenzuela, The Game DC, came in HOT with his spiced mango soda and Thai basil-infused Tangdang Soda, mixed with a choice of Founding Spirits Vodka or our American Whiskey. This drink was on fire during the competition, and Jo-Jo ended up taking home a well-deserved “W” this year. 

Each bartender absolutely killed it, and we’re grateful for their participation in what we hope will become an annual event. Another huge shout out to all the event goers who stopped by our tasting booths at Citigold and outside Market Square. 

Now that the tournament is over but summer is still heating up our streets, we look forward to continuing to toast all things DC and seeing many of you out at our distillery, located at 600 Massachusetts Ave, just inside Farmers & Distillers. Stop by for a cocktail or a tour, grab a bottle to take home, or place your order for delivery online.

Direct from the Big Easy: Tales of Founding Spirits

Last modified: July 19, 2021

Our Founding Spirits team is back from the Big Easy and sharing their tales of this weekend’s spirited Tales of the Cocktail event. 

Known as one of the most spirited, sought after events in the world of cocktails, Tales of the Cocktail returned to New Orleans for its 17th year and our team was happy to be in the mix once again. Part education, part networking, and part family reunion, we shared our small-batch, award-winning line of spirits – Founding Spirits Vodka, Founding Spirits American Amaro, and Founding Spirits American Whiskey. 

Hosting “Meet the Distillers,” guests mixed & mingled with our dynamic Founding Spirits distillery team, led by Distillery Director Jon Arroyo, Distillery Manager Bob VanLancker, and Vice President Clyde Davis, Jr. Also on hand, our Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Meaghan O’Shea. 

We welcomed event goers with three handcrafted cocktails made with our Founding Spirits: 

  • Amaro Zombie made with Founding Spirits American Amaro, Wray & Nephew rum, Pernod Absinthe, falernum, grapefruit, lime, pineapple, and grenadine
  • Missionary’s Downfall made with Founding Spirits American Whiskey, Wray & Nephew Rum, Crème de Pêche, lime, and honey
  • Bitter Colada made with Founding Spirits American Amaro, Wray & Nephew rum, absinthe bitters, pineapple, cane syrup, and coconut cream

We also served up some delicious eats from the Dog Haus restaurant team, thanks to our pop-up partnership, and connected with industry professionals from around the globe while rocking out at the “Indie Spirits that Rock” event. 

Now we are back home at our distillery in the heart of DC. Our team left New Orleans inspired by great talent, energized by our new friends and fans, and ready to continue sharing all that is Founding Spirits in our distillery with our tours & tastings, at our restaurant, and at liquor stores across the DMV, and beyond. 

Tales of the Cocktail event proceeds benefit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, a leading, non-profit organization created to educate, advance, and support the craft cocktail and hospitality industry through programs that benefit not only individual industry professionals, but also to make a lasting impact within the communities that host events.

The Perfect Match: Founding Spirits + DC’s Citi Open

Last modified: July 22, 2021

Another big win for our Founding Spirits team. We are thrilled to serve as the Official Vodka + Whiskey Sponsor at this year’s Citi Open.

Each year, the world’s top tennis players descend upon Washington, D.C. to compete in the famed Citi Open. Founding Spirits is delighted to play a part in the excitement surrounding this elite tournament.

Join us at this year’s Citi Open in DC’s beautiful Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 27th through August 4th. We will be serving up two very special Founding Spirits craft cocktails featuring the #1 vodka crafted and sold in DC, our very own Founding Spirits Vodka, and our Founding Spirits American Whiskey for Citi Open guests to enjoy:

  • Our Match Point Mule is a delightful summertime refresher blending our award-winning Founding Spirits Vodka with fresh lime juice and mint syrup, shaken and served over ice, then finished with ginger beer and garnished with fresh lime and mint. 
  • Our Break Point Buck is made with our Founding Spirits American Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and a tasty blackberry syrup, shaken and served over ice, then topped off with ginger beer and a fresh lemon and blackberry garnish.

We will also have our uniquely delicious, quadruple award-winning Founding Spirits American Amaro on hand for guests to enjoy.  

Can’t wait to see you there this July 27 – August 4, along with approximately 72,000 of our fellow Citi Open attendees, to cheer on many of today’s top tennis greats, including: Belinda Bencic, Bianca Andreescu, Kevin Anderson, Sofia Kenin, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Kei Nishikori.  

Follow us at Founding Spirits on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for any updates and to see all of our small-batch spirits and smash hits coming your way at the Citi Open. 

Sippin’ On Founding Spirits at the RAMMYS

Last modified: January 17, 2020

Last night was filled with exciting festivities and celebrations at the 37th annual Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s biggest event of the year – the RAMMYS. Founding Spirits was happy to serve as event bar sponsor while supporting our town’s best restaurant industry revelry and awards ceremony.

Each year, RAMMY goers don their finest party formalwear to celebrate the best of the best on DC’s restaurant scene. This year’s event gala was held at the Walter E. Reed Convention Center, just blocks from our award-winning Founding Spirits distillery in downtown DC.   

Founding Spirits Distillery Director Jon Arroyo, Vice President Clyde Davis, Jr. and their team were on hand to share Founding Spirits with gala guests and celebrate a great year of exceptional talent and creativity, industry growth, and delicious food and drink. 

We were delighted to serve up two specially-crafted cocktails, made just for the evening’s festivities. Our:

These tennis-themed craft cocktail names have significance for our team, as: Founding Spirits has been named the OFFICIAL VODKA and the OFFICIAL WHISKEY of the Citi Open! 

If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s RAMMYS, come join us at the Citi Open, in DC’s Rock Creek Park Tennis Center from July 27 – August 4, for a chance to get a taste of these refreshing summer cocktails and all of our spirits, including our award-winning Founding Spirits Vodka.

Stay tuned to Founding Spirits on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more details. 

Get Dad into the Spirit this Father’s Day

Last modified: January 17, 2020

We have the perfect way to celebrate all the great dads in your life this Father’s Day: our handcrafted line of award-winning spirits. Founding Spirits has a unique, delicious selection of spirits many dad would surely love this June 16th. 

Our small batch line of spirits are made in-house in downtown Washington, D.C. at our custom-built, micro-batch distillery located within our restaurant, Farmers & Distillers. 

With many of the ingredients for our spirits trucked directly to us from our farmer owner partners at the North Dakota Farmers Union, we’re pretty certain our spirits will be a hit this Father’s Day.

Distilled and blended to preserve the true flavors of the ingredients we use, our craft spirits are meant to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with a twist, or poured in one of the cocktails handmade at home or at our bar. 

Pick up a bottle of our Founding Spirits Amaro, Dry Gin, Vodka, and American Whiskey, not only at Farmers & Distillers, but our spirits are also available at select fine retailers.

You can also pick up some great swag to pair with a bottle of our spirits. Our logo’d hats and t-shirts are available at Farmers & Distillers.  

For a special treat, give dad a great experience to enjoy in the near future by scheduling a behind the scenes distillery Tour & Tasting. Our distillery tours are available for up to eight people and includes: six spirit tastings, a cocktail, and a few delicious bites. Add brunch before or after your tour at Farmers & Distillers. Reservations are available here.

If you can’t make it in to see us or pick up a bottle, we make your Father’s Day gift giving easy. You can also purchase any (or all) of our Founding Spirits online. 

Cheers to all the great dads out there!

Celebrating Derby Day with Our FS American Whiskey

Last modified: January 17, 2020

America’s Greatest Race is coming to Founding Spirits. In spirit anyway. 

Join us April 29th through May 5th, as our Farmers & Distillers in-house distillery team celebrates derby day our way for another year of this American tradition. 

Sure, we love the hats, the horses, and the pomp and circumstance of the Kentucky Derby, but we’ve got to be honest… for our distillery team… it’s really all about the booze.

During derby season, that means our pot stilled, barrel aged, award-winning Founding Spirits American Whiskey.

Aged to perfection, our FS American Whiskey is rich and smooth, with an earthy taste that creates the perfect spirit to craft our cocktails, or feel free to sip our American whiskey all on its own. We serve it neat or over hand-cut ice.

If Julep’s aren’t your thing, we have you covered. Our bar menu features a great selection of handcrafted whiskey cocktails and tastes to temp you.

Come in and see us during derby season. We’ll be here to serve you. Stop by on May 3rd from 5pm-7pm for our Open House with a mini tour of our distillery to get a behind the scenes look at how we craft our proprietary spirits. 

Find our Founding Spirits American Whiskey for purchase at our bar or online on our website, to enjoy at home long after derby season has left the gate. All derby week long, you will receive 10% off your Founding Spirits American Whiskey bottle purchase and a complimentary Founding Spirits copper Julep cup, while supplies last. 

A Spirited, Award-Winning Year in Review

Last modified: March 23, 2023

It’s been quite an amazing year for our in-house, micro-batch distillery.

Custom-built inside Founding Farmers & Distillers, Founding Spirits is the brainchild of our dynamic distilling duo, Distillery Director, Jon Arroyo, and Distillery Manager, Bob VanLancker. In our first year, Founding Spirits has received some of the most acclaimed international awards, been recognized by spirit connoisseurs across the world as a new distillery to follow, and has been featured at events in our nation’s capital and beyond. If that isn’t enough, we have also transitioned to selling our spirits online so you don’t have to live near one of our restaurants to get a taste of our award-winning spirits.

We know that part of what makes our spirits so special is that our farmer-owned, scratch-made, source-matters mission runs through all we do, even our craft spirits. Our family-farmed wheat is trucked to us from our co-owners, the North Dakota Farmers Union, for our award-winning Founding Spirits Vodka. The corn, wheat, barley, and oats come direct from our good friend and farmer, the late Billy Dawson, for our Founding Spirits American Whiskey. The honey for our limited-edition Amaro is harvested right here in downtown DC with our apiary partnership with The George Washington University.

This year’s awards & recognition have really put us on the craft spirits map. To date, Founding Spirits has won FIVE major industry awards. With Founding Spirits American Amaro winning four prestigious awards:

… and our Founding Spirits Vodka notably awarded BRONZE by the American Distilling Institute.

We were featured guests at the world-famous Tales of the Cocktail participating in two conference-sponsored tastings. We joined bartenders and spirit specialists from across the globe at the fourth annual Tiki by the Sea, teaching and training how to craft the best tiki cocktails. And we have enjoyed meeting, greeting, and serving our fans at events across the DC metropolitan area. Our Founding Spirits Vodka was the sponsored spirit for one of the nation’s biggest tennis events, DC’s Citi Open. We’ve served our famous Cucumber Delight to the delight of guests at DC’s biggest industry award gala, The RAMMY’s; hosted our very own Kentucky Derby celebration complete with our Founding Spirits Derby-inspired cocktails and a tasting with our award-winning team; and we served handcrafted cocktails and joined forces to support DC Central Kitchen, St. Jude, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, and more.

We’ve been delighted to be able to offer our spirits for sale online this year too.

We couldn’t be more excited about the past year at Founding Spirits.

Come in and see (and taste) for yourself. Book a tour with us. Founding Spirits distillery tours and tastings are available Saturdays by reservations; walk-ins are also accepted pending availability. Or join us at Founding Farmers & Distillers and have one of our expert cocktail specialists make you a Founding Spirits craft cocktail.

Founding Spirits can also be purchased at Farmers & Distillers, through multiple local retailers, and ordered online.