About R.D. Wilhelm Distillery
Customers are always asking about our logo. Most, upon first glance, see horns and connect that fact that we are called Reverend Spirits with some sort of dichotomy with Devil horns.
But if you look closer, the image is actually a Clerical Collar worn by priests. The Reverend behind Reverend Spirits is Rev. Dr. William (“Wilhelm” is a nod to his Austrian heritage.) Eugene Dornemann, our Master Distiller’s father.
Karl Dornemann has been highly interested in whiskey for over 25 years. His love is demonstrated in the Norfolk restaurants he previously owed, Bardo, Parallel 36, Crackers and Empire, and especially in the restaurants he and business partner Eric Stevens own and operate, Bardo, Supper, Still, Gosport Tavern and The Public House. The Public House currently has the largest whiskey selection in Hampton Roads with over 275 whiskey’s from around the globe.
Karl and Eric started working on the distillery in 2011. For eight years, they planned and learned about the business, and toured nearly 30 distilleries around the world. In 2013 Karl earned his two Craft Distilling Certificates from the American Craft Distilling Institute in Seattle, and the Siebel Institute in Chicago.
We received our Federal TTB permit in 2019 and our ABC approval in 2020 and happily call the Chelsea Neighborhood of Norfolk Home. Located near Smartmouth Brewing Company and Bench Top Brewing at 1120 West Olney Road, we feel right at home in this mix of residential, commercial and industrial neighbors.
While we were working on the federal permitting we began working another distillery to contract distill our first 30 barrels of product. We knew we had to practice on our mash bill, distilling technique and have product to sell while we were waiting on our own bourbon to age so we invested in what we hoped would be 2 year old straight bourbon. After typical delays dealing with the Feds and local officials, we released our first bourbon having been aged 4 years in 2020.
To abide by TTB “Tied House” regulations, Eric stepped away in 2019 to focus on the restaurants and Karl joined with Amy Stevens and a retired Navy Master Chief.
Covid-19 in 2020 changed much about our lives and it certainly changed the way we did business at the distillery. Instead of developing our Gin formula, we transitioned to making nearly 5,000 gallons of hand sanitizer for our local community, Hampton Roads Naval bases and shipyards and even the Coast Guard. We received calls from hospitals as far away as Baltimore but were only able to help the the state and local community, which is a lot for a small operation like us with only a couple employees.
“Reverend Spirits came out with a swingin’ Bourbon! I am beyond impressed and proud to serve this at my restaurant! It’s a perfect harmony of oakiness with a wonderful maple/caramel balance. HOME RUN!” ~Jamie Summs, Owner and Manager 80/20 Burger Bar.
“Being from Tennessee I’ve drank many Bourbons reverend spirits is one of the top five I haveever drank in my life one of the smoothest most well blended evenly aged Bourbons anyone could ever drink.” ~Kenny Letner, Bourbon Enthusiast & Small Business Owner
Meet Karl
Before Karl Dornemann became the Master Distiller for Reverend Spirits he trained with Legends such as Dave Pickerel and Graeme Walker at the Siebel Institute in Chicago and others at the American Craft Distilling Institute in Washington State making Karl a certificated craft distiller twice over.
But most people know Karl from the many restaurants he created in Hampton Roads VA including Norfolk Tap House, Crackers, Empire, Parallel 36, Bardo, Still, Gosport Tavern, Supper and The Public House. Karl crafted creative drink menus and built impressive whiskey lists at these restaurants and The Public House has grown to carry over 275 whiskey’s from around the globe!
Rev. Dr. William Dornemann
The reverend behind Reverend Spirits and R.D. Wilhelm Distillery is the Rev. Dr. William (“Wilhelm” is a nod to his Austrian heritage.) Eugene Dornemann, Karl’s father.
A Fulbright Scholar and Episcopal Priest, Rev. Dornemann lived a vibrant and interesting life. He obtained his doctorate in German literature from the University of Connecticut and was the first person to receive two Fulbright Scholarships in 1973 and 1974. After using the scholarships to teach in Germany, he taught at New England College, Dickinson College, Colgate University and Hope College. Rev. Dornemann then spent five years at the Library of Congress where he translated Nazi materials and medieval German manuscripts.
Karl asked his mother, Rev. Maxine Dornemann (she is also an Episcopal priest) if she thought his father would be okay with him naming the distillery after him. She said, “I think your father would just be happy you’re doing something productive.”