Southern Distilling revives Hunting Creek Whiskey

by Georgie Collins

North Carolina-based Southern Distilling Company has launched Hunting Creek Straight Rye as part of its mission to ‘reignite the state’s whiskey legacy’.

Southern Distilling’s founders, Pete and Vienna Barger, hope to introduce more whiskey lovers to North Carolina’s storied distilling legacy with the release, which commemorates a celebrated rye whiskey sold at the turn of the century. “Since we founded Southern Distilling Company in 2013, our goal has always been to highlight the state’s long, and sometimes overlooked, history in whiskey making,” Pete said. The pair was inspired by ‘the heritage, tradition, and ingenuity’ of the city of Statesville, North Carolina, and Southern Distilling Company obtained the Hunting Creek trademark to ‘restore another piece of local heritage’. “The original celebrated Old Hunting Creek Rye Whiskey was shipped across our early nation using Statesville’s rail lines before being lost to Prohibition," Pete continued. “We first distilled and barrelled this product in 2018 and we’re thrilled to share it, and the story behind it, with whiskey lovers everywhere.” Hunting Creek Straight Rye Whiskey is a bottled-in-bond release that rests at 50% ABV, having been aged for a minimum of four years. The deep amber whiskey is said to carry notes of baking spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, with hints of black cherry and blackberry, along with subtle sweetness from caramel, vanilla, and ‘a spicy kick’ that lingers throughout. Southern Distilling Company’s Hunting Creek Straight Rye Whiskey is available to purchase from ABC stores across North Carolina, US, from this month (April). Bottles from this release can also be purchased at the distillery. Last year, Phoenyx Spirits brought two forgotten liqueur brands back to life.

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