Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 33: WRC Distillery

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: It’s a slow week in news, we just didn’t have any.

Meet the Maker: Chuck Johnson and Dana Acker are back in the studio, this time talking about WRC (Windsor Run Cellars) Distillery and their three new spirits on the market: White Widow, Killer Bee and Shadowhawk. Great stuff.

Food for Drinkin’: Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is our food sponsor!

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): The Killer Tea

2oz Killer Bee from WRC Distillery
8oz Sweet Tea
1oz Peach Puree
1 teaspoon Almond Extract
1teaspoon Blood Orange Juice

Great Wagon Road Distillery Takes Home the Gold and Silver and Bronze

Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, located in Charlotte, NC, has been the darlings of the award circuit this month. GWR was given a bronze medal for 15134794_609312822610322_6623230081988304308_ntheir Rua Single Malt Whisky at The New York International Spirits Competition and they were also named the the North Carolina Single Malt Distillery of the Year. That’s impressive. And, they won silver at the Seattle International Spirits Awards.

Also, Garden & Gun Magazine awarded them 1st place for their “Made in the South Awards.” These are big-time accolades for this small distillery.

Rua is a single malt American whiskey that, according to their website, is warmly mellowed by charred white oak and finishes with a soft chocolate tone. I know that we can’t wait to have Great Wagon Road Distilling on SippingNC: The Art of the Drink in the very near future. I really want to taste this award-winning whiskey. My mouth is already watering.

15095575_609315272610077_4251493968112816014_nYou can find more about GWR by visiting their website. Right now and until the end of the year, as a thank you to all of their supporters, GWR will be giving $5 tours and tastings. They have also extended tour times for their Holiday Open House.

Grab some at your local NC ABC store and let us know what you think. Go take a tour, too!

Slàinte mhath! – Tim

Brothers Vilgalys Spirits presents Krupnikas

Rim Vilgalys grew up as a young boy intensely watching his father make a old Lithuanian honey spiced Liqueur called Krupnikas. As Rim got older and went off to college, he continued his family’s history of Krupnikas by perfecting the family recipe. As popularity of this newly found Liqueur grew, so did Rim’s hopes and 14650088_268420713554810_3333295019709109384_ndreams to create a distillery.

Once graduated, Rim set his determination to create a distillery, one that would honor his family’s tradition. Brothers Vilgalys Spirits was born shortly after in Durham North Carolina. Focusing on the spirit that brought his family so much joy, Rim creates a beautiful and rich honey spiced Liqueur with notes of star anise and clove. The warmth of his Krupnikas is one to enjoy on a cold winters night. A velvety creaminess adds to the warming Spiced notes.

If you’d like to purchase some of the Krup, then stop on by your local NC ABC store and pick up a bottle today. Tim and I will also be reviewing Brothers Vilgalys at a later date, so stay tuned. As always, #DrinkLocalNC , support your local distilleries, wineries and breweries and listen to Sipping NC: The Art of the Drink for all of your up-to-date info on what’s going on around North Carolina. Distillers Association of North Carolina, NC Winegrower’s Association
-Cheers
Jordan