Cavalier Hotel-based distillery expanding canning operations
Tarnished Truth receives $54K grant from Development Authority
VIRGINIA BEACH — One of the world’s only hotel-based craft distilleries is expanding in Virginia Beach.
Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. opened in 2018 in the former laundry room of the historic Cavalier Hotel after the property underwent extensive renovations.
Since then, Cavalier Ventures, headed up by Andrew Yancey and a group of investors, has turned the distillery into an award-winning leader of Virginia-produced spirits — including bourbon, vodka, whiskey and gin.
They’ve also been growing the brand’s newest addition: A line of canned cocktails made with Tarnished Truth’s spirits, available in Virginia ABC, grocery and convenience stores as well as other states along the East Coast.
On Tuesday, the Virginia Beach Development Authority approved a $54,000 grant to help Tarnished Truth produce more of its Coastal Cocktails line in Virginia Beach. The money comes from the authority’s incentive program and is distributed to companies based on their capital investment in the community or the number of jobs they create.
Cavalier Ventures is spending $1.3 million on canning equipment and warehouse space near NAS Oceana.
“That was the impetus for this expansion,” Yancey said. “To keep up with demand.”
Orange Crush is the distillery’s most popular canned drink. Coming soon: Cucumber Collins.
“Anytime we have a manufacturer, or a start up in the community, to grow at this rate, it’s an exciting day for us,” Taylor Adams, the city’s director of economic development, said at the meeting.
He added that his favorite Coastal Cocktail is Whiskey Lemonade.
“It’s summer in a can,” Adams said.
Tarnished Truth is also ramping up its bourbon production and will use the extra space to store barrels.
The distillery in the Cavalier Hotel basement will remain a top attraction in the city. Tours and tastings attract thousands of guests each year, Yancey said.