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Motherwell Distilling Co.

All four co-owners of Motherwell Distilling Co. From left to right: Vince Crisler, Marcy Crisler, Andrea Bennett, and Adam Bennett.

Motherwell Distilling Co. is a community-owned distillery, literally,” shares Marcy Crisler, one of four co-founders leading operations at the distillery located in Alexandria’s vibrant West End. The people behind the venture are Alexandria locals, longtime friends, and neighbors: Marcy Crisler, Vince Crisler, Adam Bennett, and Andrea Bennett. This friend group is dedicated to bringing Alexandria a craft distillery of its own, not just a tasting room, but a working production facility that produces elevated spirits and remains community-centric.

Two square-shaped glass bottles of whiskey from Motherwell Distilling Co. on top a barrel.

“We invite everyone to enjoy high-quality spirits with us and to feel like this is a place for them whether they are from next door, from the other side of the city, or from across the globe,” Marcy says. When you visit the distillery, you can see every part of the craft spirits process. Mashing, fermentation, running the 1,000-gallon still, making the cuts, choosing barrels, bottling, and tastings all happen right in Alexandria.

Co-founder Adam Bennett pouring a glass of bourbon on top of a barrel.

With support from nearly 50 local investors, Motherwell Distilling Co. produces distilled spirits, including vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, in the West End. The group chose the location for its easy access and has since developed a real passion for linking the West End with the rest of the city and inviting more people to discover it. They name their spirits after places part of Alexandria’s history. “We have the Brickwater Bourbon, named for the grist mill on Wheeler Ave, which is also known as the Phoenix Mill; the Boundary Stone Double Rye, named for the stones which still mark the historic boundary of Washington, DC’s reach into Virginia; and the Two Seventy Seven Aged Gin, a limited release which we’ve named in honor of Alexandria’s 277th birthday this year,” says Marcy.

Co-owner Andrea Bennett driving a lift inside the distillery.

Their love for Alexandria is palpable, and creating the distillery here felt like a natural step in their lives. “Alexandria is home,” says Marcy. “We’ve lived here for 23 years,” adds Vince. Andrea explains that the group first met in Ohio and once lived just a street apart. Their kids are about the same age, and they stay in touch like family. The four started the distillery before the pandemic. “We were a perfect storm that came together,” says Vince. “When we were first considering the idea of starting a distillery, we all knew we wanted to do something local.”

The word "Motherwell" written in white chalk on the side of a barrel.

The name “Motherwell” comes from their first craft distillery in Ohio and Motherwell in Scotland, which is known as the spiritual home of whisky. “Robert Motherwell, came from Scotland, moved to Logan and started Motherwell Iron and Steel,” says Vince. “The name is a source of pride in Ohio, where many streets and bridges are named after it.” The bridge forms the center of their logo, a clear nod to Scottish heritage. “That heritage, combined with Alexandria’s strong Scottish roots, is what inspires us in everything we do, from the barrels we age to the stories we tell.”

A group of people inside the distillery's Alexandria location in the West End.

Although they are still building out their operations, visitors can watch the distillery grow day by day, and enjoy a space that gives back to the community by donating tours and tastings while supporting local causes like the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.

Co-owner Marcy Crisler inside the distillery.

“Being a community-owned business means the distillery’s success is the community’s success. The profits go back into the local economy, and we make donations and provide event support to local non-profits and causes,” says Marcy. “Having our own distillery here means Alexandria has a craft producer to enjoy with friends and family. We really do have a wonderful city, and we get so excited to be able to share our piece of it with a wider audience!” she adds.

Co-owner Vincent Crisler inside the distillery, the manufacturing machines behind him.

Look for Motherwell at bars and restaurants around Alexandria and take a bottle home to share. It’s more than a drink, it’s a great local gift that brings home a comforting experience, whether you’re new to Alexandria or already live here. Vince adds, “We also like to say informally, ‘Mother’ and ‘Well’ are two very good words. Our informal saying is ‘Drink good whiskey and treat your mother well.'”

Visit Motherwell Distilling Co. at 877 S. Pickett Street Alexandria, Virginia