Great little distillery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The girl at the counter was super helpful and informative about the various kinds of whiskeys that they make. They had a smoked old fashioned that was pretty cool! The whiskies were good, not great. But this is to be expected with a fairly new distillery that has not had years to age their whiskey. I would come again if I were in the area. read more

WOW! Incredible Spirits had here!!! We've only visited a couple distilleries in VA, this being the second and must say we don't like nor agree with the strict laws VA ABC puts on these establishments compared to the multitude of breweries. They should allow this places to operate more like a bar, serve food and serve more than 2 ounces of alcohol per person, per visit. All that aside (as it's no fault of the distillery) the visit was great! The person who hosted, giving us our tasting was very friendly and knowledgeable. He did a great job explaining the various items they carry and styles of flavors. We really enjoyed our visit and will definitely stop in again when in the area! read more

Silverback Distillery - Silverback - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

This place was crowded bc of the holiday. I'm so glad we stopped. It has an intimate tasting room complete with cute gifts. The tshirts are hilarious. They sell whisky candles. They have $12 smoked cocktails where you pick the spirit. There are tasting mini cocktails for $3.50 and full drinks for the non smoked ones are $7. Vodka, whisky and Fun. There is a nice outdoor area as well. It felt like fall! Great place. read more

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You must try the gin. It is absolutely to die for. I came home with gin and a bottle of their rye whiskey. Both are to die for.

This was a great stop. Friendly and knowledgeable. The bourbon is top notch. I got 2. Lol read more

Silverback Distillery - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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The liquors were okay, the bartender is fantastic. Didn't catch her name cause she was so busy, but worth the time to try some different whiskeys. They supposedly make a great Gin... I'm not a Gin drinker, so... read more

Came to this area for the weekend and this place was by far my favorite!! The whole concept was awesome, our bartenders were great and their moonshine was kick ass! read more

I love this place! The Shock the Monkey is probably my favorite mixed drink of all time. My friends got various drinks and really seemed to like them too. Would highly recommend! read more

Great people and great product! Really enjoyed visiting there during a ski weekend in VA. bartenders made some tasty beverages and we brought home a couple of bottles. Bourbon is a bit pricey at $80/ bottle but other bottles are reasonable. Would visit again + recommend read more

We went here on the hop on wine tour. I loved the smoked s'mores drink, it was fun and delicious! I was able to sip the honey whiskey where I'm not normally able to sip whiskeys. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. This was our favorite spot on the tour. We thought the 3 oz rule was crazy but we're from Ohio so we didn't even know that was a thing. My husband said it was one of the better non-Kentucky bourbons and the rye was delicious. read more

Hey, what can I say about this place except, "about time"! If you're near the Afton Mountain area you just gotta go here. Virginia made spirits, not ghost but good ol alcohol! Lol locally made Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Bourbon, and other good stuff. They have samples you can purchase along with craft cocktails using their products. Two bars inside and a smaller one outside weather permitting. No food at this time but decent outdoor space. They do however have food trucks that come here. Mainly on the weekends, considering that is when the crowds come on. Conveniently located near wineries, cabins, pizza, and such. Great staff with good ideas! Try this spot if you're looking no for something unique. It's great. read more

Just ok but not great. More of a bar feel than Distillery. Rugged branch is better for the Distillery vibe.

The drinks were subpar. When we were ordering our drinks, the female bartender was extremely rude because we were ordering drinks before getting a table. She was obviously having a rough day but took a very bad attitude towards us for asking questions and clarifying COVID-19 policies. They never even clarified what the tables were and treated us like we were putting them out. They have lost our business. read more

Drinks are amazing. If going on a tour, make sure this is one of your first stops. Service is amazing and everyone is very friendly and laid back. I have not tried a drink I don't like! I absolutely love this place!! read more

Silverback Distillery - Smore! - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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Best Mother's Day ever! I got a delicious bottle of their locally distilled spirits instead of the more traditional flowers. Score! They are truly master distillers and it is so worth the trip up from Richmond -- taste the different choices, have a mini cocktail and be sure and bring a designated driver. read more

WE LOVE SILVERBACK! We are gorilla club members and come here very often! Love all the staff they are awesome!!!

At every turn I was never dissapointed. Its a little sad that they can only serve 3 oz. Of liquor but they know how to stretch it so you can sample each until you find exactly what cocktail you would like. The smokey section is great and a must try. read more

Silverback Distillery - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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ABSOLUTELY the BEST people around! The owners are beyond personable and make you feel like you are family too. The servers know their stuff when it comes to delicious beverages they serve and sell. They make the best vodka, gin and whiskey I've ever had! Proud to be a Gorilla Club member. read more

Silverback Distillery - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

This was the first stop we had on a brew tour and happened to be the best stop we had! Our bus was ahead of schedule and dropped us off just a little before they opened. They were so kind to let us in early and help us right away. The bartenders were so personable and helped us choose drinks to our liking. Everything they made us was so good and made our time there enjoyable. They have quite an extensive drink menu and a 3 ounce limit, so choose your drinks wisely! I definitely can't wait to come back and visit again to try more! read more

We had the best experience at Silverback distillery. Their spirits are some of the best I've ever tasted. I got the whiskey ginger which was out of this world. My wife got a specialty drink which was smoked on their barrel. Trevor was our server and he was an absolute joy to be around. Trevor made us feel right at home with his infectious personality and gave excellent recommendations based on our interests. He took time to talk with us and explain the process behind each spirit. We are so thankful for him and the excellent spirits that were served to us. Thanks again, we will be back soon read more

This place was definitely neat, and a nice change up from all the wine and beer in Charlottesville. It was just very crowded when we went and would have preferred going when it was a little quieter. They have gin, vodka, rye whiskey, and honey rye whiskey. You have the option of having the drink neat, or a mixed drink half size or full. My husband had the whiskeys and definitely liked the honey better. I ordered a cucumber gin cocktail (not usually a gin drinker and this was amazing) and a vodka and ginger beer cocktail. You are only allowed 3 1oz pours which was a downfall. Cocktails were $3.50 for a half and $7 for a full. Neat drinks were $2. read more

Silverback Distillery - The different alcohols they have - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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Mediocre at best. Drinks were too expensive and the crowd looked like a bunch of teenagers.

I thought the bourbons were outstanding ! I had a few of the flights/tastings and was very impressed. Staff is friendly and very accommodating . read more

Great great great gin! Hoping they try a rum soon Try one of their craft cocktails and grab a bottle to go. Worth the stop along Nelson 151 read more

WOW! Small and I expected nothing and was stunned at what a great visit we had! The staff is super knowledgeable and very, very friendly! We did a tasting and I could have stayed ALL DAY! Marvelous stuff! Really marvelous! Each taste got better. Their gin is stellar -- and I LOVE gin and have tried many! The bourbon was OUT OF SIGHT! Both excellent, but the Blackback Honey Rye Whiskey was out of this world! We bought the last two bottles from Lot #1. Worth a visit and they will be adding new items in the future they said! read more

A welcome change of pace from the wineries, cideries, and microbreweries in the area, only highlighted by the high quality spirits Silverback produces. After exhausting other alcohol places in the area, my group of friends were thrilled to find Silverback Distillery on Nelson 151. A somewhat recent addition to the area, Silverback distinguishes itself from the other alcohol offerings in the area by producing high quality spirits, including vodka, gin, and grain spirits. The facility is small and unassuming along Rockfish Valley Highway, looking like a small warehouse than a distillery. The parking lot is unpaved and there is plenty of parking, even for the large crowds we encountered at 2:00 PM on a Saturday. The interior is very small, but features two small bars on either side and a seating area in the middle and along the walls. The facilities look brand new and the bartender served us immediately. Silverback offers a tasting of the their gin, vodka, and grain spirits in three different variations - three .5 oz shots ($5), three mixed drinks ($10), or one mixed drink and two .5 oz shots ($7). My group opted for the three mixed drinks - from there you are given a second menu with 2-4 different mixer options per spirit (See the pictures below). I'm not sure how the bartender was able to keep the choose-your-own-boozey-adventure straight, but he was flawless in his serving. Keep in mind that since it's a tasting you don't get a lot of liquor in your drink, but you get enough to get the taste. I opted for the Moscow Mule (Vodka), the Gin & Tonic, and the Monkey Tea (Grain & Sweet Tea), and I was able to sample the Bloody Mary and Blushing Mandrill (Gin & Pink Lemonade). It was all pretty awesome - the vodka was smooth and flavorless, the gin tasted like top shelf, and the grain alcohol had a kick to it and may lead to blindness in large doses. Overall, Silverback produces some of the best spirits I've ever had and the sampling menu simply rocks. If you're stuck on what to try in the mixers, I highly recommend the Bloody Mary, the Blushing Mandrill, and the Monkey Tea to start. I'll definitely be back. read more

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I sampled the best Bloody Mary drink I've ever tried @ this place! The interior is nice, and the people are even nicer, giving lots of information about the distillery in a cheeful, fun atmosphere. The products they sell are remarkably good, and I was so impressed with their Bloody Mary that I walked out with an unintentional purchase of a bottle of vodka, which was savored & enjoyed. I got the smaller sampling they offer, and tried their gin. Everything was top-notch. I love the kitschy gorilla outside, which is fun for picture-taking memories with your friends & family. Definitely a place to visit & return to; great quality-minded company! I'd like to see them do a little more with their exterior beautification, because they are located in a beautiful area of the country & could really play it up on a grand scale with a little more effort, but they are new to the area so I'm sure they have plans to do so in future. I mention this only because other wineries do play up their beautiful locations, & this will really add to the already enjoyable experience of visitors. read more

Get your O face ready!! When you first walk up to this unassuming building you will be wondering what is in store for you. Lets start with check your attitude somewhere before you get on property, the team here is all about having fun and making great spirits! For the second time in 2 years our group of friends have stopped to visit Dallas and his family at Silverback. Each time there is something new to try and we leave having had an awesome time! The Vodka is great, the gin makes a great option for summer drinks, the brown spirits have both won awards as well as has our group considering a barrel buy (you will get the details when you visit). I implore you to make a point of skipping somewhere you have planned on your "wine adventure" and visiting Silverback! read more

I am new to liquor and distilleries but the staff were very welcoming. The atmosphere was fun and the drinks were fantastic. Their spirits have one multiple awards and I can see why. I've since gone on to try many other local and national distilleries and whiskies but I still like Silverback the best. It's no wonder they've won all those awards. read more

What a great experience it is to visit Silverback. The folks are always warm and pleasant and the drinks are super! We are always looking for an excuse to visit them again. read more

AMAZING!! That is the only word you need to hear. The next would be to go now and have a sampling for yourself! Among all the local wineries, breweries and the cidery down the road, Silverback is a welcome addition to the Nelson 151. Not only are the family that own this distillery super amazing, but they just put so much passion into their spirits! You can taste the love in all they produce. I was lucky enough to stumble across this place after leaving a nearby winery. After an amazing flight of their spirits, I was able to take a tour of their facility! I cannot tell you how wonderful of an experience I had learning about the process from the owner himself. After sampling the future bourbon they are about to bottle this fall, it was time to leave. I enjoyed my time and tastings so much, I have planned a trip back out to silverback for my friends and I to enjoy their newly built patio this summer! Ask about their barrel program - it is def a great investment if you have the ability to do so! read more

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We stopped on a whim while checking out breweries on 151. They offer tastes of vodka, gin, and grain, either straight or in a small variety of mixed drinks. I tried the monkey tea (grain and I'm guessing tea and lemonade) and the other two spirits straight. The mixed drink was pretty good. The gin had great aromatics, though a little harsh on the tongue. The vodka was probably the best crafted spirit, but I'm not a big vodka drinker. You can buy bottles on site spice they are a satellite ABC location. We got a tour of the system which was pretty cool. They will have bourbon and whiskey in the next few years. read more

Silverback Distillery - Sampler tray with vodka, monkey tea, and gin - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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Amazing discovery. Apparently, I was the only one who didn't know about this place. Anywho, the little gal (dark hair, short, petite frame) worked with me introducing me to their bourbon. I am a big Jack fan so I was curious to see if I could be impressed. This gals knowledge base was incredible. SHe didn't make me feel stupid. Her suggestions based on how I drink my Jack was spot on. I ended up buying a full bottle of their Blackback bourbon and will pick a very special occasion to crack it open. The atmosphere was inviting, staff exceptional and other "tasters" my kind of people. I would love to go back. I had an amazing time! read more

Try the mixer flight for sure. Really enjoyed the mango, Bloody Mary, bloody mandril, and the pink lemonade one. Very friendly bar tender and the owner was nice too! read more

Silverback Distillery - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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Excellent Bourbon and Honey Rye. The honey rye is especially good for those who are new to whiskey. Great owners and staff. Everyone is incredibly friendly. I highly recommend it! read more

My husband and I stumbled upon this place driving to Shenandoah National Park. We each got a couple of straight tastings. I really enjoyed the gin and he really enjoyed the honey whiskey. The bourbon wasn't my favorite, I wish it was smoother, but definitely drinkable on the rocks. They have a vast cocktail list as well! I wish they have some food options, but the bartender said most of the time they have food trucks which weren't there the day we visited due to rain. read more

This is my third trip to Charlottesville and third time stopping in to Silverback. The drinks are great and th bartenders are extremely nice. read more

Silverback Distillery - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Afton, Virginia

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I visited Silverback about a year and a half ago (soon after it opened) and again today. The growth was amazing! When I visited the first time, we were the only ones being served, which provided a glimpse into the history of the distillery, and when I visited today, it was healthily crowded. The outdoor patio/bar is a nice touch as is the food truck station. The liquor itself is pretty average, but I know that in the coming years it'll be great stuff. The grain alcohol will surely become some great whiskey and bourbon and I'll be excited to try it when it's ready. The staff was friendly, helpful and honest. I was excited to hear they'll be starting to do full drinks in the next couple months, and I'm sure that will help their company immensely. These liquors are perfect as mixers! Definitely stop by if you have the opportunity. It's a nice pallet cleanser from the breweries/wineries in the area! read more

Worst bartender I've ever had in my life. We had to return a drink 3 times it was so bad after waiting half an hour. She forgot half the drinks in our groups order when we only had 4 people... our whiskey sour tasted like a margarita. The only redeeming quality was the clean port-a-potty. read more

Nick is the best bartender. Not kidding. All five of their products, absolutely incredibly drinkable.