Support local by drinking these spirits distilled in North Carolina

Those who enjoy spirits and whiskey should go local with North Carolina bourbon. With several distilleries on this list, you'll have plenty to tour and taste, which can give you a unique glimpse into a more agricultural side of NC.

The most highly-rated North Carolina-made bourbon is Southern Star Paragon Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. Other distilleries to consider include Mystic Farm & Distillery, Broad Branch Distillery, Oaklore Distilling Co., and Great Wagon Road Distilling.

Gallup News says that the US drinking rate is at a new low, with 54% of Americans reporting that they drank alcohol in 2024. Despite this statistic, many people still have an appreciation for spirits, especially bourbon, which is an all-American alcohol.

Those who enjoy this type of spirit will want to support local grain farmers and entrepreneurs. This is your thorough guide to North Carolina bourbon.

The best North Carolina bourbon is Southern Star Paragon Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, which is produced in Statesville, NC. It has a strong reputation because it balances rich flavor with traditional craftsmanship.

This bourbon meets the strict Bottled-in-Bond standards, which means that it's:

• Distilled during one season
• Aged for at least four years
• Bottled at 100 proof
• Produced at a single distillery

The result is a bourbon with notes of caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, baking spices, and roasted nuts that's supported by a full-bodied mouthfeel. This appeals to both seasoned bourbon enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Southern Star Paragon Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is an excellent choice, but what if you want more for your collection? Here are other spirits you can add to your list for North Carolina bourbon tasting.

Mystic Farm & Distillery has earned statewide attention for its farm-to-bottle spirits. This business is located in Durham, and it grows much of its own grain. This gives the company greater control over flavor and quality. This estate approach highlights how soil, climate, and farming practices can influence the finished whiskey.

The bourbons here often showcase notes of:

• Sweet corn
• Vanilla
• Toasted oak
• Baking spices

Visitors can experience the production process firsthand through tastings and tours that emphasize sustainable distilling and small-batch craftsmanship. Mystic Farm & Distillery gives people a unique look at North Carolina's agricultural heritage while serving up exceptional whiskey.

Broad Branch Distillery is located in Winston-Salem, and it has a reputation for carefully crafted small-batch bourbons that prioritize quality over volume. As you'd might expect, this distillery doesn't produce massive quantities; instead, it pays close attention to barrel selection, aging conditions, and blending techniques.

The bourbons produced here often feature:

• Rich caramel
• Honey
• Toasted pecans
• Cinnamon
• Subtle oak

This results in a smoother profile that appeals to both newcomers and experienced whiskey drinkers.

The smaller production runs also allow the distillers to experiment with different mash bills and barrel finishes. Consumers benefit from limited releases that showcase unique flavor combinations.

Oaklore Distilling Co. is located in Charlotte, and it combines classic bourbon-making techniques with a modern approach to aging and blending. This company doesn't rush products to market; its careful development of whiskey allows it to achieve a balance of sweetness, spice, and oak influence.

This distillery's bourbons commonly deliver flavors of:

• Brown sugar
• Vanilla bean
• Toasted almonds
• Dark fruit
• Gentle pepper

Oaklore Distilling Co. also places significant emphasis on barrel management. It selects casks that complement one another during blending rather than relying on a single barrel's characteristics. This thoughtful process results in bourbons that remain approachable while offering enough complexity for enthusiasts.

Charlotte's Great Wagon Road Distilling gets inspiration from the historic trade route that helped shape the Carolinas and the broader American South. This distillery produces a wide variety of spirits, but its bourbon offerings reflect a dedication to traditional American whiskey-making paired with locally influenced craftsmanship.

You can expect flavors of:

• Carmael
• Toasted vanilla
• Roasted nuts
• Light cinnamon
• Charred oak

People should definitely visit the tasting room, as it gives them opportunities to sample bourbons alongside the distillery's other spirits. This can give you great insight into how modern North Carolina distillers are preserving regional traditions while creating distinctive expressions of their own.

The smoothest bourbon to sip will depend on personal taste, but many people praise Woodford Reserve Double Oaked for its exceptionally mellow character. Unlike standard bourbons, it undergoes a second maturation in a heavily toasted, lightly charred oak barrel. This results in a richer and creamier flavor profile.

If you sip this bourbon neat, you'll notice layers of:

• Butterscotch
• Dark caramel
• Toasted marshmallow
• Chocolate
• Gentle spice

Its silky texture doesn't have an overwhelming alcohol burn, which makes it approachable for beginners while still offering enough depth for experienced drinkers.

Eagle Rare is difficult to find because demand has grown far faster than supply. This bourbon is produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, and it's aged for at least 10 years. Production simply can't be increased overnight because aging whiskey requires years of warehouse space, barrels, and careful inventory planning.

At the same time, collectors, investors, and enthusiasts actively seek Eagle Rare due to its reputation for delivering premium quality at a relatively affordable retail price. Many retailers get limited allocations and often reserve bottles for loyal customers or lotteries.

Most people with celiac disease can safely drink plain, unflavored bourbon because the distillation process separates alcohol from the gluten-containing proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, or barley. Properly distilled spirits contain little to no detectable gluten, even when made from gluten-containing ingredients.

However, flavored bourbons or whiskey-based liqueurs may include additives introduced after distillation that could contain gluten or other ingredients unsuitable for people with celiac disease. There may also be cross-contamination in bars, so if you're drinking in a public space, you have to be extra careful.

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