Nelson 151 Silverback Distillery: Award-Winning Virginia Spirits Excellence in Nelson County

Silverback Distillery stands as a beacon of Virginia spirits innovation on Nelson 151 and Virginia’s craft beverage trail, bringing internationally acclaimed Virginia spirits to Nelson County since 2014. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Afton, this family-owned Nelson County destination represents the finest Virginia spirits craftsmanship creating award-winning experiences on the Virginia craft beverage trail.

Virginia Spirits Pioneers

Silverback Distillery holds a unique place in Nelson County and Virginia craft beverage trail history as pioneers breaking barriers in the Virginia spirits industry. Founded in 2014 by Master Distiller Christine “Hooch Mama” Riggleman and her husband Denver Riggleman, this family-operated distillery represents authentic Virginia spirits excellence that has earned dozens of international awards while establishing Nelson 151 as a premier Virginia craft beverage trail destination.

Located on the Rockfish Valley Highway surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains and bordering the Rockfish River, Silverback creates a “chest-thumping good time” for visitors exploring the Virginia craft beverage trail. From the day they opened, the team at Silverback has crafted high-quality, award-winning Virginia spirits that showcase the unique terroir of Nelson County through distinct, flavorful expressions.

Award-Winning Virginia Spirits Excellence

What sets Silverback apart on Nelson 151 and the Virginia craft beverage trail is their extraordinary record of achievement in the Virginia spirits industry. Since opening in 2014, Christine “Hooch Mama” Riggleman has racked up dozens of international awards for her Virginia spirits with no plans of slowing down, establishing Silverback as a world-class destination on the Virginia craft beverage trail.

Notable achievements include being named one of the top gin distillers in the United States by MSN.com in 2014, becoming the first person inducted into the ABV Network’s Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2017, and winning “Best of Fest” three times at the NOLA Bourbon Festival. Recent accolades include Best in Fest and Best Single Barrel at the New Orleans Bourbon Festival 2024, with their bourbons and whiskeys winning gold at the New Orleans Bourbon Festival two years in a row, solidifying Nelson County’s reputation for Virginia spirits excellence.

Internationally Recognized Virginia Spirits Portfolio

Silverback’s dedication to Virginia spirits innovation shines through their complete portfolio of handcrafted spirits in Nelson County. From the refreshing, citrus-forward Strange Monkey Gin to Blackback Rye Whiskey to the “ultimate butterscotch bomb” Blackback Bourbon, Silverback strives to produce distinct, flavorful Virginia spirits from a unique mix of local grains, mountain water, and authentic American craftsmanship.

Their signature Blackback Rye Whiskey showcases Virginia spirits excellence through hand-selected milled grains, pristine well water, and perfectly charred barrels, aged a minimum of thirteen months with current batches released at over 2 years old. The custom honey liqueur crafted with honey from Nelson County, blended with their famous Blackback Lucky 13 Rye Whiskey, creates a flavor so pure and sweet that it exemplifies the Virginia craft beverage trail experience.

The Riggleman Family Legacy in Virginia Spirits

Behind Silverback’s success on the Virginia craft beverage trail is the remarkable Riggleman family story that began with Christine’s fascination with distilling during a 2012 visit to Scotland’s Ben Nevis Distillery. A Virginia native who married her high school sweetheart Denver, Christine turned down a Le Cordon Bleu culinary scholarship to support her husband’s Air Force career, but her passion for flavor and creating never faded.

Unique Visitor Experience in Nelson County

Silverback offers a truly unique Virginia craft beverage trail experience in Nelson County, with their tasting room providing multiple ways to enjoy award-winning Virginia spirits. Visitors can choose from cocktail flights, barrel smoked cocktails, or whiskey served neat, with Virginia law limiting each person to 3 oz per day, making every choice count on your Virginia craft beverage trail adventure.

The distillery features five bars—including an outdoor bar with Blue Ridge Mountain views—where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails like the smoked old-fashioned or s’mores cocktail. The facility includes viewing windows to observe the distillation process, weekend food trucks, and an upstairs bar with additional seating. They’re also dog friendly facility for any leashed, friendly pets!

Farm-to-Glass Virginia Spirits Excellence

What makes Silverback truly special on the Virginia craft beverage trail is their commitment to local sourcing and sustainable practices in Nelson County. Their corn and barley are grown on a historic farm less than a mile from the distillery.

This farm-to-glass approach ensures that every Virginia spirits expression reflects the authentic terroir of Nelson 151 while supporting local agriculture. The combination of local grains, pristine mountain water, and the Riggleman family’s expertise creates Virginia spirits that truly capture the essence of the Virginia craft beverage trail experience.

Educational Virginia Spirits Experience

Silverback serves as both Virginia spirits producer and educator on Nelson 151, offering visitors insights into the art and science of distillation in Nelson County. Guests can observe the still through glass doors while learning about the distillation process from knowledgeable staff who understand both the traditional techniques and innovative approaches that make Silverback’s Virginia spirits exceptional.

Breaking Barriers in Virginia Spirits Industry

Silverback’s impact on the Virginia craft beverage trail extends beyond exceptional Virginia spirits to breaking barriers and challenging conventions in Nelson County and beyond. Silverback Distillery represents the changing face of the Virginia spirits industry, where women are finally receiving the titles and recognition they deserve.

Christine’s goal of “world domination in the spirits industry” reflects the ambitious spirit that makes Nelson 151 special, while their commitment to quality over quantity ensures that every bottle represents the excellence that defines the Virginia craft beverage trail. Their independent, small-batch approach produces the finest craft gin, bourbon, honey rye whiskey and more, establishing new standards for Virginia spirits excellence.

Community Impact and Innovation

During the pandemic, Silverback demonstrated the community-focused values that define Nelson 151 by becoming the first distillery in Virginia to produce hand sanitizer for first responders and medical personnel—completely free of charge. This commitment to community service reflects the authentic hospitality and responsibility that makes the Virginia craft beverage trail special.

Their innovation extends to their packaging and branding, with award-winning designs that make Silverback Virginia spirits instantly recognizable. From the gorilla-themed branding to the distinctive bottle designs, every element reflects the family’s personality and commitment to creating memorable Virginia craft beverage trail experiences.

Part of Nelson County’s Virginia Spirits Legacy

As a cornerstone of Nelson 151 and the Virginia craft beverage trail, Silverback Distillery represents the innovative spirit and unwavering quality focus that has made Nelson County synonymous with exceptional Virginia spirits experiences. Their dozens of international awards, unique family story, and commitment to local sourcing showcase how traditional craftsmanship and innovative thinking create outstanding Virginia spirits.

When you visit Silverback in Nelson County, you’re not just enjoying award-winning Virginia spirits in a beautiful setting—you’re experiencing the pioneering spirit that continues to push Virginia spirits boundaries while honoring the community and traditions that make the Virginia craft beverage trail special.

Ready for Your Own Silverback Adventure?

Silverback Distillery awaits on Nelson 151 with their internationally awarded Virginia spirits, unique family story, and that chest-thumping hospitality that has established Nelson County as a premier Virginia craft beverage trail destination. Come curious about Virginia spirits innovation, leave connected to the authentic craft that makes the Virginia craft beverage trail unforgettable.

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Ready to taste internationally awarded Virginia spirits from this renowned distillery? Visit Silverback Distillery in Nelson County and discover the Virginia spirits excellence that defines Nelson 151’s reputation for breaking barriers on the Virginia craft beverage trail.