Southern Distilling Company is a true grain-to-glass distillery located in historic Statesville, North Carolina. Southern Distilling is the first licensed distillery located in the “liquor capital of the world,” since 1903.
Makers of award-winning Southern Star Bourbon Whiskeys
Heritage. Tradition. Family. Authenticity.
From a dream conceived on a family farm, Southern Distilling Company was founded by Pete and Vienna Barger in 2013 as a way to tap into home and heritage… and revive the legacy of these deep distilling roots. The company aims to provide the highest quality distilled spirits available to both the local region and customers worldwide who desire a sense of truth and place in the drinks they enjoy.
We welcome you to come in, say hey, take a tour and then carry home a bottle of the best darn bourbon or rye whiskey around! Like our tagline says… We’re “Making tasty products for happy people”…each and every day!
Southern Distilling Co. Tours & Tastings
From grain milling to spirits barreling & bottling, come participate in Statesville’s distilling legacy and take a 45 minute behind-the-scenes tour and learn all about our whiskey making process. At the end of the tour, come and sit a spell at our bespoke bar for a complimentary tasting of our finished bourbon whiskeys and other tasty products. Reservations recommended, walk ins on a space available basis.
Days/Hours: Mon-Sat 10am – 6pm, Closed Sunday
Guided tours start on the hour, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the last tour beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- Advance reservations are highly recommended.
- Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- This is a working distillery. Tours may be delayed and the tour path altered unexpectedly due to production demands.
Custom Tours – Custom Behind-the-Scenes group tours and unique specialty tours are also available up to 50 attendees. To inquire about rates, please call us at 704-978-7175 or email tours@sodistilling.com.
Southern Distilling Co. Spirits
Southern Star 10 Year Reserve High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey This gentle bourbon has a nice deep rich amber color from 10-year old barrels. Pleasant flavors of toffee, caramel, date and fruit abound while maintaining a big and well-balanced mouthfeel. Rye spiciness explodes and dances on the palate. Bottled at 100 proof.
Southern Star Cask Strength High-Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength fans expect complexity and strong barrel notes. Southern Star does not disappoint. Dark amber color, bold aromas, strong vanilla overtones and a flourish of sensations at the finish. Release #1 bottled at 122.2 proof.
Southern Star Single Barrel High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey No two barrels are exactly alike. These singular barrels were selected for their unique blends of flavors and aromas. Five years in the barrel has provided a perfect backdrop of oak and smoke to these select bourbons and leads to a long and pleasant finish.
Southern Star Standard High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey Standard has a warm balance of rye spice, wood notes and fruit that excites the taste buds. At 90 proof, it maintains a flavor intensity and complexity that bourbon drinkers seek and enjoy. Creamy mouthfeel and long and enjoyable finish.
Southern Star White Whiskey Unaged Wheated Bourbon Whiskey Distilled from bourbon mash, our white whiskey is finely crafted just like a bourbon. Its characteristics unencumbered by the effects of a barrel. It has its own set of aromas and flavors unique to the whiskey category. The corn and wheat are very evident and provide the absolute uniqueness of the product. Its flavors are a remarkable departure from aged bourbon. Bottled at 100 proof.
Southern Star Double Shot Coffee Bourbon Cream Liqueur Southern Star Double Shot Coffee Bourbon Cream Liqueur is a perfected blend of rich, delicious cream and sweet whiskey, with a hint of coffee flavor. Pleasant and gentle toffee finish. Great on its own as a dessert, chilled, combined in a coffee cocktail or paired with ice cream. Bottled at 30 proof.
Come Visit our State-of-the-Art Distillery
Today, an impressive, modern two-story glass-fronted destination distillery houses an innovative, state-of-the-art craft distillery in 25,000 square feet, sited on 20 comfortable acres of agricultural farmland and old growth hardwood trees. At 40 feet high, the tallest stainless steel and copper column still system in North Carolina is found inside the glass-enclosed production area, along with a copper pot still system for handcrafted small batch and limited edition products. Some of the Carolina’s tastiest high quality bourbon, rye whiskey, brandies and other tasty products flow through our exclusive custom-designed “Double Barrel” spirit safe before being bottled by hand onsite.
We pride ourselves in working with local farmers to support our agricultural community and look forward to serving you the most delicious spirits around! We are conveniently located in close proximity to the many Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek area wineries and are only a 1-2 hour drive from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Asheville, and the Virginia state line. Visitors to the distillery will find easy access from Interstate-77, off Exit 54, just north of Interstate-40. Whatever point you’re traveling from on the compass, be sure to catch sight of our gleaming copper still through our rooftop “dog house”, as well as our massive 4,000 gallon shiny dimpled stainless steel fermentation tanks through the front glass while heading down I-77. You can’t miss us!
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