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Virginia ABC issues second distillery license to River City Whiskey

Virginia ABC issues second distillery license to River City Whiskey

New Capabilities Richmond, VA local

The non-distilling whiskey brand is moving barrels to 1600 Belleville St in Scott's Addition, targeting a tasting room in early 2027

Yesterday: Second Virginia ABC license issued

Overview

Updated 13 minutes ago

Virginia's alcohol regulator issued River City Whiskey a second distillery license on September 10, two months after a first one on July 10. The approvals support the company's planned move to 1600 Belleville St in Richmond's Scott's Addition neighborhood, but they don't represent final clearance to open.

Co-founders Da'Mon Brown and Ricky Rice, who launched the brand in 2024, age and bottle whiskey they buy from distilleries in barrel picks rather than distilling it themselves. They plan to use the space for barrel storage first, then add a public-facing tasting room with a target of early 2027.

Why it matters

If the tasting room opens as planned, Scott's Addition gains a dedicated home for barrel-picked bourbon currently sold only through liquor stores.

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Key Indicators

2
Virginia ABC distillery licenses issued since July 2026
Two separate distillery licenses were filed between July 10 and September 10, 2026.
Early 2027
Target opening for tasting room
Company plans to add a public-facing tasting room after initial barrel storage use.
5,000 sq ft
Leased space at 1600 Belleville St
River City Whiskey is taking about 5,000 square feet in an existing 15,000-square-foot building.

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People Involved

DB
Da'Mon Brown
Co-founder, River City Whiskey
Active; day job in insulation sales
RR
Ricky Rice
Co-founder, River City Whiskey
Active

Organizations Involved

RC
River City Whiskey
Non-distilling whiskey producer
Moving operations from Kentucky to Richmond's Scott's Addition

Richmond-based non-distilling whiskey producer that ages, blends, and bottles whiskey sourced through barrel picks.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
State regulatory agency
Issued two distillery licenses to River City Whiskey in 2026

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licenses and regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages across the state.

Timeline

2020 2027

6 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Tasting room target opening

    Upcoming Planned

    Company targets early 2027 to open a public tasting room at 1600 Belleville St.

  2. Second Virginia ABC license issued

    Latest Licensing

    Virginia ABC issues a second distillery license for the 1600 Belleville St site.

  3. Move to Richmond announced

    Announcement

    Richmond BizSense reports the company plans to move barrels to 1600 Belleville St in Scott's Addition.

  4. First Virginia ABC license issued

    Licensing

    Virginia ABC issues River City Whiskey its first distillery license.

  5. River City Whiskey launches

    Business launch

    The duo launches River City Whiskey as a non-distilling producer, initially based in Kentucky.

  6. Friendship forms at ABC store line

    Origin

    Da'Mon Brown and Ricky Rice meet in line at a Richmond ABC store and begin barrel-picking trips to Kentucky.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2000-2020s

The sourced whiskey era (2000s-2020s)

A wave of American whiskey brands launched without owning distilleries, buying aged spirit from established producers like MGP Ingredients and bottling it under their own labels. These brands competed on selection and branding rather than production, driving much of the craft whiskey boom.

Then

Sourced brands helped expand consumer choice but drew criticism from purists who saw them as less authentic than distillery-owned products.

Now

Many sourced brands later built their own distilleries; the model remains common. River City Whiskey's 'non-distilling producer' status fits this pattern.

Why this matters now

River City Whiskey ages, blends, and bottles barrels it buys from distilleries, letting it focus on selection and community rather than the capital-heavy work of distilling.

2015-2025

Scott's Addition craft beverage boom (2015-2025)

Scott's Addition, a former industrial district in Richmond filled with early-20th-century warehouses, became the city's craft beverage hub. Over a decade, breweries, cideries, and distilleries opened in converted buildings, anchoring the neighborhood's revival as a dining and entertainment destination.

Then

The area drew visitors and new apartment construction, including the 1510 Belleville complex next door to River City Whiskey's space.

Now

Scott's Addition now has a dense cluster of beverage makers, making it a known destination and a natural fit for a new whiskey brand.

Why this matters now

River City Whiskey's choice of 1600 Belleville places it in the center of this established beverage district, giving it foot traffic and a built-in audience of craft drinkers.

Sources

(4)
+1
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Richmond BizSense River City Whiskey River City Whiskey