Drinks

Boutique Whiskey Makers Fret Over How Hard EU Tariffs Will Bite

Family-owned distilleries without Jack Daniel’s name recognition can’t raise prices to counteract Europe’s retaliatory levies.

Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, Virginia. — Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, Virginia.
Source: Kristen Dill via Catoctin Creek

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By Janine Wolf

July 2, 2018 at 9:29 PM UTC

Updated on

July 3, 2018 at 1:40 PM UTC

In tiny Purcellville, Virginia—the state some consider the birthplace of American whiskey—Becky and Scott Harris just spent $100,000 to build up their business in Europe.

Now the owners of Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. fear an escalating trade war means that investment could go bottoms up.