Behind The Brand: Southern Distilling, Co.
In the previous post I mentioned we visited Southern Distilling Co. in Statesville, North Carolina on December 14, 2024 for their "Honey of a Holiday" event where they released their much awaited Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrels. After the event, we had the pleasure of meeting the founders, Pete and Vienna, to learn more about the company. They took a small group through a behind-the-scenes look at their distilling process, from grain to glass. From the mashing and fermentation system, to the stills, and even to exploring the barrel aging warehouse, everyone left with a greater understanding of their end to end process.
Southern Distilling Co. is a family owned business without any outside investors. When the Barger’s started the company over a decade ago, Vienna was working with a public health organization, and Pete was working for another family-owned company, but he was ready to build his brand. This is the perfect “Labor of Love” story, it’s not just a job for them.
The distillery’s state-of-the-art facility spans 30,000 square feet and features cutting-edge equipment. Pete mentioned they use a lot of automation, and do not have a ton of people running around. They love their people, but they want everyone to pay attention to the craft. They don't want them spending time doing busy work, because when people do busy work, they make mistakes, and mistakes mean inconsistencies. So they use a ton of automation, and that system is basically controlling their plant.
Their business is primarily contract distilling, along with their expressions, including Southern Star Bourbons, Rye Whiskeys, and Double Shot Coffee Bourbon Cream Liquor under the Southern Star label. According to Pete, Southern Star is a very small part of their business at the moment. They work with over 150 clients across the world, some which can’t be named due to legality, but one new client they are proud of is Brother’s Bond, and their Regenerative Grain Bourbon is 100% from Statesville, NC. Southern Distilling is the only supplier that can check the box for regenerative agriculture.
Southern Distilling Company is a must-visit destination for all, where tours and tastings are offered throughout the week. Plus Pete has an amazing car collection (sneak peak in the next video).
Remember, whiskey is to be enjoyed responsibly and in moderation. Take your time, sip slowly, and revel in the moment as you unlock the secrets hidden within each pour.
Click the image above to watch the full YouTube video!