Southern Star Bourbon Honey Cask Release
On December 14, 2024 Southern Distilling in Statesville, North Carolina welcomed people from near and far for their "Honey of a Holiday" event where they released their much awaited Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Barrels, which took place from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST. We even drove about 2.5 hours to attend and purchase this much anticipated release.
At the event Chris was able to meet back up with Paul Plyler, who he originally met in Asheville, NC while visiting a local bar there, and was the person who introduced Chris to the Southern Star brand. Paul even walked Chris through a mini tasting of their core products at this event, and we thanked him for his inspiration for the Weller 107 vs Southern Star Paragon blind tasting video.
Alongside the sample pours, he enjoyed a few cocktails while browsing the distillery’s tasting room of products, and enjoyed a plate from Bushcraft BBQ food truck, and listened to live music. At the event some people even had their bottle complimentary engraved.
The highlight of the event was the 6 Year Southern Star Bourbon Finished in Honey Barrels, a cask-strength bourbon bottled at 106.8 proof. This bourbon underwent a meticulous aging process in barrels saturated with wildflower honey, resulting in a rich, creamy texture with delightful honey notes. Emphasizing Southern Distilling Co.'s dedication to quality, innovation, and workmanship.
Pete Barger, co-founder and CEO of Southern Distilling Company, explained the inspiration behind this unique bourbon. "A few years back, a local honey producer asked us for a barrel to age some of his honey in, to infuse it with the flavor of whiskey. After the honey had aged, they sent the barrel back to us - and the inside was still coated with honey. Of course, we couldn’t let it go to waste. We filled the barrel with one of our select bourbons that had already been aging several years and put it in the rickhouse for another 12 months. When we finally tasted it, we were floored," he said.
Folks were eager to secure this limited release before supplies ran out, and just like any other low yield release, some people were upset because they arrived too late before it sold out. A true testament to them caring about their products. In the words of Pete Barger, “we give a d***.”
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!