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Explore Fredericksburg’s Ironclad Inn, a historic retreat blending bourbon and cozy stays for unforgettable travel experiences.
Fredericksburg, Virginia, is an exciting town for history—both Colonial and Civil War, dining, shopping, and drinking. When the Ironclad Inn & Bourbon Room opened in December 2023, the Kenmore Inn got a new name along with the Stable Block Bourbon Room downstairs.
The Ironclad Inn at dusk is a gorgeous house. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
What started as a home in the 1790s has had many owners and changes. In 1931, James T. Horton purchased the home and turned it into an inn. During this phase of the property’s history, the rear wing and basement garage were added. When the Kenmore Inn opened its doors, the public was happy to have a new lodging establishment, and 2,000 locals turned out for the opening celebration.
Entryway at The Ironclad Inn. Photo courtesy Ironclad Inn
Craft Bourbon
Once the public figures out what a great addition the Stable Block Bourbon Room is, I believe the Ironclad Inn will win the hearts of all who enter. Ironclad Distillery Co. has been in business for 10 years and makes several kinds of small-batch craft bourbon.
Enjoy the bourbon from Ironclad Distillery. Photo courtesy Ironclad Inn
For those who’d like a primer on bourbon, read on. Like Champagne and Tequila, Bourbon must be made in a specific region to get the name. You can’t call it Champagne unless it is made in the Champagne region of France. You can’t call it Tequila unless it comes from Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas in Mexico. With bourbon, it must be made in the US to be called bourbon.
Bourbon must be made from a mashbill containing at least 51% corn. It can’t contain flavorings, must be bottled at 80 proof or more, distilled at less than 160 proof, and barrel-aged at no more than 125 proof.
Ironclad Bourbon and merchandise are available for sale at the Ironclad Inn. Photo courtesy Ironclad Inn
Namesake
Ironclad Distillery Co. is located within a Civil War cannonball shot from the famous Merrimac and Monitor battle in Newport News, Virginia. This famous warship battle changed naval history. The Ironclad Distillery aims to make history of its own by making superior bourbon from local grains and using locally-made bourbon barrels. The Stable Block Bourbon Room has a bar, sitting room, outdoor patio, and shop for the bourbon-loving public.
Inside the Stable Block Bourbon Room at The Ironclad Inn. Photo courtesy Ironclad Inn
For food options, the Tasting Room serves a light menu that includes a Wagu hot dog, a double burger, blistered shishito peppers, a fried chicken sandwich, and more.
A fine lineup of Ironclad bourbon at the Inn’s bar. Photo courtesy of the Ironclad Inn
Customers can choose from cocktails made by master mixologist Robert Gregory, bourbon tasting flights, cocktail flights, or bourbon tasting with one-ounce pours served over ice or neat. During my visit, I enjoyed an after-dinner drink of Buzz’s Bourbon Cream Liqueur. The bar and indoor tasting rooms were nearly full, so I retired to the outdoor walled patio garden. It was mesmerizing to sip this delicious drink while watching the lit-up decorative balls floating in the center water feature.
I lucked out with perfect weather to enjoy bourbon on the patio, entranced by the water feature’s colorful balloon-like objects. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
The Bourbon Room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 PM to 8 PM. The inn and Bourbon Room are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Bedtime
After my nightcap, it was luxurious to stay in the Betty Washington room. My room was spacious, made more so by the 12-foot-tall ceilings that looked out on Princess Anne Street. The bathroom was also roomy and featured a combination tub/shower. Other features are windows with vintage glass with the ripple effect, an original fireplace, a fridge, C.O. Bigelow toiletries, a coffee maker, and a king-size bed.
The Betty Washington room suited me well for an overnight stay in Fredericksburg, VA. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
There are nine rooms to choose from, four of which are in the main house on the second floor. In the addition, there are two rooms, each with a queen bed. Then, there are three rooms at the rear of the house, each with either a queen bed or a twin-sized bed. Those who want a quieter room should consider these rooms away from Princess Anne Street.
Breakfast
All guests receive complimentary breakfast. On the day of my visit, five delicious offerings included quiche of the day, eggs any style, Japanese milk bread, French toast, avocado toast, and a protein bowl. I had difficulty deciding but chose the protein bowl with Greek yogurt, amazing local blackberry jam, honey, housemade peanut butter, chia seeds, and coconut flakes. The protein bowl was good, but I was eager to try the French toast.
All guests receive a complimentary breakfast. Photo courtesy Ironclad Inn
My request for a second breakfast was granted, and I found the best French toast on the planet. The bread was fluffy, topped with a mound of whipped cream and a side of amazing blackberry jam, and the best part was the bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup that was a fitting end to a bourbon-themed trip.
The best French toast ever! Photo by Kurt Jacobson
What’s Near the Inn
There’s so much to do and see near the Ironclad Inn, but it would take a feature article to cover it. During this visit and a previous trip, I got a feel for where to eat, shop, and explore. Be sure to see highlights like the Kenmore Plantation and FAM (Frederick Area Museum), and walk Caroline Street in the historic district for many shops and restaurants.
Downtown Fredericksburg was decorated for Autumn on my recent visit. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
I asked the Innkeeper where to dine, and from that question came a wonderful dinner at La Petite Auberge. The restaurant’s dining room was nearly full, but the bar was empty, so I pulled up a seat and had a feast. The shrimp and scallop entree was delicious and paired well with Monsieur Touton sauv blanc.
Petite Auberge is only an 8 to 10-minute walk from the Ironclad Inn. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
After dinner, I walked around downtown and saw that Castiglias Italian Restaurant was full, and a crowd was waiting to get in. At Fahrenheit 132, a local steakhouse, they had people lined up at the door for the four o’clock opening and looked full at 7 PM when I left La Petite Auberge.
Castiglia’s Italian Restaurant is also a short walk from the Ironclad Inn. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
Checking Out
This cool sign is made of iron and used to hang outside many years ago. Photo by Kurt Jacobson
Parting is such sweet sorrow, said Anne of Green Gables. I left the Ironclad Inn and Fredericksburg with a desire to return as there is much to see and do that I didn’t cover. I hope you enjoy the Ironclad Inn as much as I did and toast Fredericksburg, a charming historic city, while you’re there. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more things to see and do when you visit Virginia. We also have more suggestions for our favorite historic inns.
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