Award-Winning Virginia Beach Craft Distillery Tarnished Truth Is Heading to New England

Award-Winning Virginia Beach Craft Distillery Tarnished Truth Is Heading to New England

Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. announces its latest expansion beyond Virginia, bringing small-batch coastal spirits to Massachusetts and Rhode Island bars, restaurants, and retailers this May

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., April 29, 2026  Tarnished Truth Distilling Co., one of Virginias most celebrated craft distilleries, is bringing its award-winning spirits to New England for the first time. The Virginia Beach-based distillery has announced a new distribution partnership with Craft Collective Homegrown that will make its full bottled spirits lineup available at bars, restaurants, and retailers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island beginning this month.

Founded in 2015, Tarnished Truth has earned a loyal following in Virginia by doing something the craft spirits world talks about but rarely delivers: building a brand with a genuine sense of place. Every spirit in the lineup reflects the coastal character, history, and hospitality of Virginia Beach, and now that story is coming north.

Massachusetts and Rhode Island have some of the most discerning spirits communities in the country, and we couldnt be more excited to bring our coastal heritage to the Northeast, said Andrew Yancey, Founder and President of Tarnished Truth. Our partnership with Craft Collective Homegrown allows us to share what makes our brand unique with a new audience that appreciates authentic, craft-distilled excellence.

Tarnished Truth has built its reputation on spirits that perform as well in the glass as they do on a cocktail menu. The distillerys High Rye Bourbon, crafted on a bold 36% rye mash bill, has become a go-to for bartenders who want more spice and complexity than standard bourbons deliver. At The Hunt Room, the distillerys neighboring Virginia Beach restaurant, that bourbon powers more than 20,000 Old Fashioneds served every year. Its the kind of real-world traction that tells a clear story: people arent just trying Tarnished Truth once. Theyre coming back for it.

Were thrilled to welcome Tarnished Truth to our growing spirits portfolio in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Their commitment to distilling on-site in Virginia Beach and producing high-quality spirits at an exceptional value aligns perfectly with what we look for in a partner. Were excited to bring their bourbon, gin, and more to retailers and consumers across the region, said Bryan Ferguson, Chief Commercial Officer, Craft Collective Homegrown.

Starting this May, consumers across Massachusetts and Rhode Island can find the following Tarnished Truth spirits at local bars, restaurants, and retailers:

• High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bold, spice-forward, with notes of butterscotch and maple syrup make it as easy to sip neat as it is to mix. The flagship of the lineup.

• Discretion Wheated Bourbon: A softer, more approachable bourbon with honey, caramel, vanilla, and a dry oak finish. The wheated alternative for those who like their whiskey smooth.

• Tarnished Truth Bourbon Cream: Bourbon meets sweet cream in a bottle that works equally well on the rocks, in coffee, or as a cocktail base.

• Fourth Handle Coastal American Gin: Bright, layered, and built for the cocktail glass. Botanical notes of coriander, grapefruit, rose petals, and cucumbera gin that reflects the Virginia coast in every sip.

By partnering with Craft Collective Homegrown, were entering two markets with a team that understands craft at the same level we do. That alignment matters as much to us as the distribution reach, Yancey said.

Massachusetts and Rhode Island mark the beginning of a broader national expansion for Tarnished Truth in 2026. The distillery plans to bring its coastal Virginia spirits to additional states throughout the year, growing its footprint while maintaining the small-batch production and hands-on approach it was founded on.

Tarnished Truth products will be available at select bars, restaurants, and retail locations across Massachusetts and Rhode Island beginning May 1. To learn more or find Tarnished Truth near you, visit TarnishedTruth.com.

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About Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.

Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. is an award-winning craft distillery founded in 2015 and located inside the historic Cavalier Hotel on the Virginia Beach oceanfront. As the only distillery in the U.S. situated within a hotel property, it produces a portfolio of small-batch spirits rooted in Southern history and coastal character, including bourbon whiskey, wheated bourbon, bourbon cream, and coastal American gin. The distillery operates adjacent to The Hunt Room restaurant and offers guided tours and tastings on-site. For more information, visit TarnishedTruth.com.

About Craft Collective

Craft Collective Homegrown (formerly Craft Collective and Homegrown Distribution) is a premier independent beverage distributor serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island, dedicated to representing small, high-quality producers of craft beer, spirits, and cider. With a focus on brand authenticity and customer service, Craft Collective Homegrown helps artisanal brands scale while maintaining their craft integrity. Learn more at getcraft.co.