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Listicles
Introduction Text
Industry opportunities for bootleggers soared when North Carolina became the first Southern state to enact prohibition. Bootlegging — selling spirits without taxation or government permits — immediately became a means for financial stability. While national prohibition ended in 1933, North Carolina remained a dry state until 1935, the heyday of hooch, eventually giving birth to the firewater-fueled sport of NASCAR.
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Call Family Distillers
Call Family Distillers sits along the Yadkin River, carrying forward a legacy born in Wilkes County, long known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. Descendants of legendary moonshiner Willie Clay Call, the family now produces craft spirits using a rare direct steam injection method for exceptional smoothness. Options range from classic moonshine to fruit brandy.
Weldon Mills Distillery
Extensive renovations to a factory and historic grist mill became Weldon Mills Distillery in 2019. Learn more about local history and distillation on a tour — it includes tastings of award-winning spirits such as Weldon Mills Reserve, which took home four awards at the 2021 International Whisky Competition. Soldier’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey also raises money for families of fallen soldiers, a cause close to the Army veteran co-owner’s heart.
Pair it with: Longtime favorite Ralph's Barbecue in Weldon. The Woodruff family knows a thing or two about Eastern North Carolina barbecue — they've been serving it up for more than 70 years.
Durham Distillery
Melissa Katrincic — president, CEO and co-founder of Durham Distillery — is the first US female distiller inducted into The Gin Guild. Appropriately, see how the award-winning Conniption Gin (which comes in three variations, including one with a beautiful indigo color) is made with a behind-the-scenes tour, then pull up a seat at the on-site bar for a seasonal cocktail.
Pair it with: Cocoa Cinnamon — another woman-forward, award-winning company — for coffee and box sets just a couple blocks away.
Walton's Distillery
Learn how spirits are made during free tours and indulge in complimentary tastings of Walton Distillery's award-winning booze. Their menu of barrel-aged and traditional spirits includes whiskey, bourbon, vodka, rum and moonshine bottled in Mason jars.
Pair it with: The International Food Trail in this patriotic city was curated with service, taste and authenticity in mind.
Great Wagon Road Distilling
More than 60 years after his grandfather was arrested in Ireland for making poteen, Ollie Mulligan is doing the same in North Carolina — on the right side of the law. The County Kildare native uses the same poteen (Irish moonshine) recipe that’s been in his family for generations, and Great Wagon also offers Rua (Irish for red) single malt whisky, vodka and a barrel-aged whiskey.
Pair it with: Great Wagon Road is steps away from Divine Barrel Brewing, where its team has a soft spot for sours but you'll always find a bit of everything.
Blue Ridge Distilling Company
The distillery’s bellwether brew — boldly branded Defiant — is an award-winning barley-based whisky made from pure mountain water and softened and seasoned via white oak spirals rather than barrels. It offers tours Monday through Saturday.
Pair it with: Starlight Hills Campground, just down the road, is a stellar spot to stargaze. Rent a rustic cabin and kick back and relax.
Broadslab Distillery
Owner and master distiller Jeremy Norris uses his grandfather’s moonshine recipe, passed down from five generations and prepared in a 500-gallon solid copper pot still. But Broadslab offers much more than just its Legacy Shine, including Reserve Whiskey and Carolina Coast rums. The distillery offers tastings every day, plus tours on Saturdays.
Pair it with: Starting in May, pack your swimsuit and head to Tucker Lake, which boasts clear spring water and white sand beaches. There are several waterslides and floating playstations, along with beach volleyball, picnic areas and a campground.
Outer Banks Craft Distillery
“From molasses to glasses” is the tagline for the Outer Banks’ only distillery, located in the former Board of Education building in downtown Manteo. Rum is the primary spirit here, as Outer Banks offers several types of its Kill Devil series, including gold, silver, and a unique pecan and honey combination.
Pair it with: Manteo is home to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, which boasts several exhibits about the inhabitants around the Outer Banks. Just make sure to secure your ticket upon arrival. You can also visit Lost Colony Tavern on the waterfront before taking in the historic "Lost Colony" outdoor drama.
Southern Grace Distilleries
A visit to this distillery is like no other, as it’s the only one in the United States housed in a former prison. Whereas the correctional facility once housed captured bootleggers, Southern Grace honors them with its whiskey collection, including the award-winning Conviction. Tours are offered (and encouraged, given the site’s history) with online reservations.
Pair it with: Mount Pleasant boasts one of the largest antique malls in the South with White Owl, which is housed in a former textile mill. Vendors range from collectibles to fine china in this 100,000 square-foot facility.
Oxford Oaks Distillery
Make a reservation to enjoy light bites or upscale dining and craft cocktails in this former 1920 hardware store. The downtown microdistillery partners with local farmers to source grains and botanicals for its artisan whiskey, gin, vodka and rum.
Pair it with: When Mara Shelton founded Tobacco Wood Brewing in 2018 with her husband, it was NC’s first female and veteran-owned brewery. And it’s just a couple of blocks away from the distillery.
Please drink responsibly. Designate a driver.