Silverback Distillery

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.

TJ, dad and I visited Silverback Distillery about a month ago. We took the RV for a much needed rainy day joy ride and found this place. Really clean, quaint and relaxed. the décor was noteworthy. but now for the good stuff. the alcohol. we tried vodka, gin, and something else. I can’t rememver the name I think corn mash… it like a moonshine type drink. it tasted like tequila to me. they served each flight in a shot style and also in mixers. we had a couple of each. my favorite was the «Strange Monkey Gin». I bought a bottle and a shirt. that read «everyone needs a little strange». This is small distillery with good people that make good conversation. I don’t think they currently offer food. But definitely check it out.

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!

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!

Had a great experience here. You can try their liquor straight up or in several different cocktails. Very friendly staff. A great addition to the 151 area.

As the owner/​operator of a tour company in the Charlottesville area, I couldn’t be happier to have Silverback Distillery in the area. They are family owned and operated, extremely nice people and their products are second to none!!! I’ve taken numerous groups that were out on a wine or beer tour there and not once have I had any complaints about anything… everyone loves their gin, vodka and grain alcohol whether straight up or in the mixed drinks, fantastic customer service, friendly, fun loving atmosphere and of course the wooden Silverback gorilla (I think his name is Titus) that greets you at the front door! If you’re in the area and pass this place up, you’ll never know what you’re missing! Keep up the GREAT work guys!!!

I love their gin and whiskey! Also, the Assistant of Operations fella is really sweet!

Awesome place! Where do I begin? Their gin is phenomenal, suggest you try the gin mule; super friendly staff, very knowledgeable, it’s a new place so they are trendy and up to date. PS they allowed our fur babies in! Dog friendly and great drinks you need to definitely stop by!

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!

It was a great change to visiting wineries. My husband and I did the sampling for $ 10 that got you 3 small mixed drinks. The grain liquor was really good but I have to give credit to the gin it was the best gin I have ever had. The smoothest gin ever! The staff was really friendly and we got a tour from the owner’s daughter. I’m definitely looking to go back when they have the bourbon available!

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.

This was my first time at a distillery. I wasn’t sure what to expect but Silverback was a good time.
The staff encourages you to try their spirits in creative mixed drink samplers. I am not a huge gin drinker but after today I have a found a gin favorite. I had to buy a bottle it was so good.
Word to the wise mind the grain liquor, it is pretty good but potent.

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.