Medium & Craft Distillery Founders
Southeast U. S. States
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
1
Graham Arthur,
13th Colony Distillery
Graham didn’t always dream of making whiskey. Growing up, he was more interested in science and the outdoors. But one summer during college, he took a trip to Kentucky and toured a few distilleries. The scent of aging barrels, the bubbling of the mash, and the smooth taste of bourbon sparked something in him.
3
Jim Chasteen,
A.S.W. Distillery
THIS FOUNDERS HISTORY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON
2
Pete Barger
Southern Distilling Company
In 2013, Pete and Vienna Barger purchased a 20-acre farm in Statesville, which was once known as “the liquor capital of the world.” There, they founded Southern Distilling Company. Starting first as a contract distillery, they soon seized an opportunity to revive their region’s long-forgotten history of legal whiskey production. Pete’s engineering mindset soon defined their operations.
5
Clyde May,
Conecuh Ridge Distillery
Clyde May made illegal moonshine for more than 40 years but was only arrested once, in 1973. May then served an eight-month stint incarcerated at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Upon his release, he set his stills back up and continued his moonshine operation, producing 300 gallons a week.
6
Philip McDaniel,
St. Augustine Distillery
McDaniel currently serves as co-founder and CEO of the St. Augustine Distillery. He has worked diligently to push for updated legislation that would ease the restrictive liquor laws in the state of Florida. When the St. Augustine Distillery first opened, they could not sell bottles directly to consumers, nor could they sell their products by the glass. Fortunately, changes have been made that have recently eased restrictions.
4
J. Jeffrey Irons,
Irons ONE Distillery
Jeff Irons emphasizes small batches and quality ingredients. Using locally sourced grains and natural resources allows this distillery to create truly remarkable spirits. His motto is “From my hands to yours” and it is printed on the label of every bottle he sells. It is not just a motto but a sentiment that drives him and the company to create the best whiskey they can.
7
Scott Neil,
Horse Soldier Bourbon
Neil had a successful career serving in the United States Army Special Forces, including deployments to some of the most challenging environments in the world. He was on one of the first teams inserted in Afghanistan after 9/11.
Neal’s vision came to life in 2015 when he and his good friends John and Elizabeth, together, founded American Freedom Distillery.
8
John Sharp,
John Emerald Distilling
Their flagship single-malt whiskey is made from 100% malted barley, aged in 15-gallon, virgin Ozark White Oak barrels with a level #2 char for two to four years. John Emerald Distillery also utilizes three-barrel high stacking and a temperature-controlled warehouse, in a peculiar attempt to artificially create season changes and speed up the aging process.