KO Distilling Tours

About the Distillery

Bill Karlson and John O’Mara, hence ‘KO’ from their last name initials, co-founded KO Distilling in 2013.  They had been college classmates and long-time friends before deciding on their craft distillery in historic Manassas.  Here, they have both a manufacturing plant and popular destination for locals.  Bill and John make, store, bottle and ship both high-quality aged and unaged distilled spirits, with several gins and whiskey available for tasting with bourbon, rye whiskey, and other spirits to follow soon.

They proudly tout being the 19^th operating distillery in Virginia.  In partnership with many other small businesses, suppliers and farmers in the local area, KO Distillery opened their doors in September 2015.

Both Bill and John graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY with degrees in Marine engineering and Bill also earning a degree in Marine Transportation.  It was here that they became life-long friends to this day.  KO is available to host special events with sprits tastings.

Come visit their facility’s top-notch visitors center offering guided tours, tasting, and product and merchandise sales.  See if your taste in liquor matches up with one of the co-founders, or if you have your own personal favorite.