America’s ninth most populous state offers you top reasons to live in the southeastern region. In North Carolina, nature meets progress. Despite its standing as the second-biggest banking center in the country, it maintains robust nature-based tourism. Its Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for instance, gained over 12 million visitors in 2019. It is also home to the country’s most beautiful beaches and 1,500 lakes that altogether offer exciting water adventures, such as surfing, rafting, paddling, sailing, to name a few. And in the last decade, North Carolina became globally known for its award-winning wine and cheese, and extensive production of beer and spirits. When in North Carolina, experience its adventures and take a sip of its flavors. Check out our list of the top distilleries in North Carolina, the USA, that you must visit.
1. Durham Distillery
Recognized by the USA Today as the premier maker of the craft gin in 2018 and recipient of Indy Week’s ‘Best Distillery and Best Local Liquor’ award from 2016 to 2020, Durhan Distillery is a must-see destination for spirits lovers out there. Thankfully, it opens its doors to curious guests like you for a group tour. You get to taste its renowned Conniption gins and Damn Fine liquors, as well as witness how they are manufactured. Its curbside store is open for anyone wanting to take home a bottle or two. But for tour availability, check out Durham Distillery’s official website.
Durham Distillery
Address: 711 Washington Street, Durham North Carolina, 27701 United States
Website: Durham Distillery
Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 12pm - 6pm; Sat: 11am - 4pm (closed on Sun - Wed)
Price: 10 USD
2. Outer Banks Distilling
Outer Banks consists of barrier islands that separate North Carolina’s mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to America’s most stunning beaches. When in the town of Manteo, drop by the Outer Banks Distilling, the maker of the legendary Kill Devil Rum. Its two-hour tour takes you through the end-to-end rum production process, from molasses to glasses. You also learn how the company started and the reason why they use ‘Kill Devil’ for a brand name. Brace yourself as you will likely fall in love with the rum at first sip. Feel free to purchase any from its collection.
Outer Banks Distilling
Address: 510 Budleigh St, Manteo, NC 27954, USA
Website: Outer Banks Distilling
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: 10 USD
3. Walton's Distillery
Do you like the powerful combination of smoky and spicy flavors of whiskey? Your next destination is Walton’s Distillery, a family-operated, small-batch distillery that developed and continues to innovate a line of corn whiskey and moonshine. Decades-old recipes combined with improved techniques resulted in top-notch products that gained recognition in several competitions. For instance, its Junior Walton’s Premium Select won gold in the 2019 Denver International Spirits Competition’s best taste category. Grab its free tours and samples. Check out its schedule updates.
Walton's Distillery
Address: 261 Ben Williams Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540, United States
Website: Walton’s Distillery
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
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4. Southern Grace Distilleries
At Southern Grace Distilleries, they offer you the unique experience of tasting high-caliber bourbon in a prison building. Fun fact: Mt Pleasant Prison is America’s first jail turned into a commercial distillery. You will learn more about the historic place, including spooky stories, as well as the distillery’s production process in an hour-and-a-half tour. You can take pictures, sample its famous bourbon, and take home a bottle for a price. Their ‘After Dark Tours’ creates an unforgettable experience, roaming around an old prison cell at night while learning fun facts about bourbon.
Southern Grace Distilleries
Address: 130 Dutch Rd, Mt Pleasant, NC 28124
Website: Southern Grace Distilleries
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 9pm (closed on Mon & Sun)
5. Broadslab Distillery LLC
Visit the first farm distillery in the state, Broadslab Distillery LLC. Located in Benson, Broadslab grows their corn, harvest, and processes it into premium quality moonshine. They are proud of their slow, thorough process that ensured the consistency of their handcrafted products throughout the years. Learn more about Broadslab’s production technique and plantation. This one-hour educational tour also gives you a taste of their products - beer, wine, or even mixed beverage.
Broadslab Distillery LLC
Address: 4834 NC Hwy. 50 South Benson, NC 27504
Website: Broadslab Distillery LLC
Opening hours: Thu: 3pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm
Price: 12 USD
6. Southern Distilling Company
Are you interested in starting a liquor business? Southern Distilling Company offers contract distilling services to interested individuals and groups who love their craft spirits so much that they are willing to sell them to a bigger market. Southern Distilling is most famous for its Southern Star Bourbon Whiskeys that reaped awards after awards. Founded in 2013, it is one of the biggest craft distilleries in the United States. Visit their state-of-the-art facility in Statesville and join their 45-minute tours that take you through the entire production process. Alternatively, you can take the 20-minute version.
Southern Distilling Company
Address: 211 Jennings Rd, Statesville, NC 28625, United States
Website: Southern Distilling Company
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: From 5 USD
7. Call Family Distillers
If you’re a fan of the fruity taste of brandy, pay a visit to Call Family Distillers, the proud maker of quality whiskey, moonshine, and brandy. They have been serving guests with their craft drinks since 1868, holding a record of over 150 years in business. Book a tour with Call Family Distillers and see for yourself the distillery that defied time. By the end of the 30-minute tour (or 15-minute tour), you not only learn about its history and production process but also taste its famous drinks. Children get a non-alcoholic beverage and a moon pie.
Call Family Distillers
Address: 1611 Industrial Dr, Wilkesboro, NC 28697, United States
Website: Call Family Distillers
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun - Wed)
Price: From 5 USD
8. Elevated Mountain Distilling Company
You’ll enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies of Elevated Mountain Distilling Company’s modern facility, located in the beautiful Maggie Valley. Join its lively tour (sometimes accompanied by a live band) and sample its line of premium products - whiskey, moonshine, and vodka. Hear fascinating stories, such as the fact that its raw water is sourced from one of the peaks in the Rockies. On your way, feast your eyes on scenic views surrounding the distillery.
Elevated Mountain Distilling Company
Address: 3732 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, United States
Website: Elevated Mountain Distilling Company
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 5 USD
9. Asheville Distilling Company
Ladies will love exploring Asheville Distilling Company, a decade-old company founded and operated by a woman, Troy Ball. You will love even more the feminine touch to its elegant bottles and exquisite flavors. Take its line of Troy & Sons Nectarine and Honey Whiskey, for example. Its delicate flavors of combined mountain honey and nectarine make you think of dessert and Christmas any time of the year. Its Blonde Whiskey is made from the fine, soft corn grain of Peaceful Valley Farm that is grown since the 1800s. Sample each beverage and note its distinct quality in their free tours and tastings.
Asheville Distilling Company
Address: 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28803
Website: Asheville Distilling Company
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 4pm - 10pm (closed on Sun - Wed)
Price: Free
10. Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery
Bringing over 250 years of experience of craft distilling into the business, the family that started Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery continues its legacy up to the present. Taste the legendary recipes that wowed America since the 1800s - Carolina Whiskey, Carolina Bourbon Whiskey, and Coattail Cinnamon Whiskey. Its bourbon whiskey won double gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirit Competition. You may want to try its warm and smooth taste while on a tour in Lewisville.
Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery
Address: 2675 Williams Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023
Website: Old Nick Williams Co. Farm & Distillery
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 12:30pm - 6pm
Price: From 15 USD
Taste true American spirits in North Carolina
Back in the days of alcoholic beverage prohibition, American distillers sold their products during the first light of the moon. Hence, the term moonshine. In North Carolina, you will find many of those that sold whiskey, rum, brandy, and moonshine in cars under the moonlight. Visit them, hear their stories, and take a sip of their award-winning, decades-old American flavors. On your next visit, keep this list of the top distilleries in North Carolina, the USA, handy.
Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, the business hours of the distilleries may differ from the stated timings in this article. Please be sure to check the updated hours from the websites.
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