Ironclad Inn now open on the first floor of Kenmore Inn
According to Kara King, Co-Owner and Creative Director of Ironclad Distillery, “Nothing pairs better with bourbon than a good story.” Now that her second location, Ironclad Inn, has opened on the first floor of Kenmore Inn, she is telling the story not only of Ironclad, but the story of Fredericksburg.
“In Fredericksburg, you can’t throw a rock without hitting something historical,” King said, “so I feel like this is just more fodder for stories. It’s also an awesome town, and this building…you can’t help but just fall in love with [Kenmore Inn].”
King owns Ironclad with her younger brother, Owen, and her father, Stephen. The King family opened their initial location in Newport News in March of 2014, and recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary. They were looking to add “more fun” to the Ironclad brand, and felt that a B&B&B (Bed & Breakfast & Bourbon) would be a wonderful addition to Fredericksburg and the Ironclad story.
Ironclad Distillery in Newport News, where the King family distills their spirits, sits where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay, the water of which they infuse into their bourbon, providing a salted caramel flavor that cannot be replicated. Ironclad’s bourbon is not as sweet as Kentucky bourbon, which provides a unique nuance that, combined with a “kick of the rye at the end,” makes for an absolutely delicious product.
According to King, Virginia, the first American state to make spirits (Berkeley Plantation, the first place to distill the first drop of corn liquor in 1620, is located in Charles City, VA), is a wonderful place to make bourbon and liquor. For that reason, Ironclad makes an effort to utilize all Virginia products for their distilling, including Virginia oak barrels and grain.
“Now it’s like a purely Virginia product,” King said, noting that Ironclad works hard to promote and lift up other Virginia distilleries. “It’s a great community, we’re kind of all boosting each other.”
Some of the bourbons available at Ironclad Inn include the Small Batch Bourbon, the bottle of which has a blueprint of the first Ironclad ship, along with the history of the ship itself.
Ironclad Inn had its Grand Opening on April 13th, and according to King, the event was met with “nothing but smiles all around.” The King family designed the space to be a comfortable environment, and intends for guests to bring family and friends, and sip on delicious bourbon cocktails. King wants Ironclad Inn to be an extension of her distillery’s values, vibe, and sensibility.
Ironclad Inn is open Wednesday-Saturday from 1-8pm, and is located on the first floor of Kenmore Inn at 1200 Princess Anne Street. Follow them on Facebook.