Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information
Virtual Video Tour of Southern Distilling Company
Here is a short (less than 4 minute) video tour from our visit to the Southern Distilling Company in Statesville, North Carolina. For more up to date information, Learn more about the distillery in our May 2026 interview with co-founder Pete Barger!
The Southern Distilling Company sits on a 20 acre farm in Statesville, North Carolina. In the late 1800’s Statesville was home to many distilleries, blenders and wholesalers due to its excellent location at the crossroads of major wagon roads, as well as having a railroad depot. Statesville’s liquor boom ended with Prohibition, with the Southern Distilling Company being the first distillery to reopen in town since.
The distillery was founded in 2013. Currently there is a hybrid-pot still and a 40 foot column still. The Southern Distilling Company is primarily a contract distiller, although they do have a few products under their own label. These currently include sourced bourbon and a bourbon cream. Their own bourbon is patiently waiting, to be released sometime after 4 years of aging. There is a nice cocktail bar on site, where both tastings and cocktails are available, and there is a store to purchase their whiskey and logo items. Two different tours are available, one longer and more in depth, with both including tastings. A tasting only and designed driver option are also available.
We had a very pleasant few hours visiting this distillery. Thanks Melissa for the great tour, loads of information and tasty cocktails! We’ll definitely be back the next time we are in the Statesville area! Cheers! ?
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
About the Editor: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
Ed can be found on social media on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at @BourbonObsessed
About the author: Ed Escott is truly "Bourbon Obsessed". He is the founder of Bourbon Obsessed, LLC, and an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave and Thief Society. In addition, he has authored and edited over 600 bourbon and other whiskey reviews, over 50 in-depth distillery write-ups, and many other related articles. He is on the board of the Kentucky Bourbon Influencers and a member of the Lexington Bourbon Society and the Bourbon Capital Guild. Last, but not least, Ed has attended many bourbon-related educational sessions, visited countless distilleries, and is on a never-ending quest to try every bourbon.
Prior to focusing solely on Bourbon Obsessed, Ed practiced in academic medicine for three decades. He most recently was a Professor at the University of Kentucky and served as Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology and Vice Chair For Faculty Mentoring, Development & Wellness of the Department of Radiology. He has extensive editorial experience in academic medical publication, and brings that same academic mindset to Bourbon Obsessed, which is a unique approach for a spirit-focused media company.
Ed can be found on social media on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at @BourbonObsessed
Gus
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