Five Virginia distilleries presented their products as part of the VinExposium, one of the world’s largest wine and spirits gatherings, held in Paris, France, from Feb. 9 to 11, 2026. In connection with the expo, Virginia Spirits Board hosted the Virginia Cocktail Games, an international version of a previously statewide event.
The Virginia distilleries presented alongside six spirits producers from North Carolina, as part of the US Department of Agriculture pavilion. Virginia distillers were Catoctin Creek Distilling Company (Purcellville), Ironclad Distillery Co. (Newport News), Laird & Company (North Garden), Reservoir Distillery (Richmond), and Virginia Distilling Co. (Lovingston).
Virginia Cocktail Games in France
For the Virginia Cocktail Games competition, each Virginia distillery was paired with a Parisian bartender, who used the spirit to craft a cocktail that pays tribute to the historic relationship between France and Virginia. The winning bartender will travel to Virginia and explore the history, culture, and hospitality of Virginia’s distilling community.
The competition took place Feb. 9, 2026, at Paris’s Hôtel de Talleyrand. Attendees included hospitality professionals, spirits experts, journalists, and curious consumers, raising awareness of Virginia distilled alcohol and the five highlighted distilleries.
And the winner is …
Taking top honors was Parisian bartender Valentin Olivon of the Mama Shelter group. His winning drink was made with bourbon from Ironclad Distillery. Olivon’s cocktail, the Crimson Sour, stood out for both flavor and craftsmanship. The drink blends hibiscus-infused bourbon with burnt lemon syrup, raspberry and hibiscus shrub, and a bright touch of citric acid, all topped with a lightly toasted coconut foam.
At its heart is bourbon from Ironclad Distillery, known in part for aging its whiskey in former wine barrels, tradition with a modern twist. The result is a cocktail that balances tart, floral, and subtle smoky notes, while highlighting the versatility of Virginia whiskey.
Why Virginia matters
Long before Kentucky became synonymous with bourbon, Virginians were distilling spirits. In the 1600s, colonists began turning surplus grain into whiskey and fruit into brandy, establishing a tradition that continues today through a thriving craft distilling scene. Virginia now boasts dozens of distilleries producing many spirits, including bourbon, rye, brandy, and specialty spirits, many drawing inspiration from historic recipes while embracing modern techniques.
Olivon’s prize trip later this year will immerse him in that heritage, from historic sites to working distilleries, offering a firsthand look at how Virginia earned its reputation as the birthplace of American spirits.
A toast to Virginia spirits in Paris
For Virginia, the Paris competition represents more than a single winning cocktail. It reflects a growing international appreciation for American craft spirits and for Virginia’s role in shaping that history. For readers closer to home, it’s a reminder that some of the world’s most compelling spirits stories aren’t found overseas but right here, aging quietly in barrels, waiting to be enjoyed.