Southern Distilling Company has unveiled a six-year-aged American single malt whiskey just months after being named the 2025 Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute.
The Statesville-based distillery released Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey on September 19th, pricing the 114.8-proof spirit at $49.95. The limited-edition bottle marks the company’s first dedicated release in the growing American single malt category.
Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey Debuts After Successful Preview
The decision to launch came after positive feedback from a July tasting event. “We’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to release our American Single Malt,” said Pete Barger, co-founder and CEO of Southern Distilling Company. “After hosting a tasting event in July with Brewzle and hearing the overwhelming response from whiskey enthusiasts, we knew it was time for Southern Star to make its mark on the category.”
The whiskey spent six years aging before bottling. Official tasting notes describe an amber-colored spirit with aromas of sweet mint, toasted oak, warm grass, light floral notes, and caramel. The palate reveals woody characteristics with burnt honey sweetness and a dark chocolate finish.
Southern Distilling Company received the Bubble Cap Award from the American Distilling Institute earlier this year. The ADI recognition acknowledges excellence in craft distilling across the United States.
Southern Star Positions Distillery in Growing Market Segment
The American single malt category gained official recognition in December 2022 when the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established formal standards. Southern Distilling Company responded by becoming the first contract distiller to offer bulk American single malt production services.
The distillery’s fermentation and distillation system can produce and age more than 20,000 barrels annually. This capacity allows Southern Distilling Company to serve both its own brand portfolio and contract clients entering the American single malt market.
Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey is available at the distillery’s tasting room at 211 Jennings Road in Statesville. Distribution to North Carolina ABC stores will follow in subsequent weeks.
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The release adds to Southern Distilling Company’s decade-long history of single malt production. The company has positioned itself as a specialist in the category while maintaining broader whiskey production capabilities.
American single malt represents a small but growing segment of the U.S. whiskey market. The category requires whiskey to be distilled from 100% malted barley at a single distillery, similar to scotch whisky regulations but allowing for more production flexibility.
The limited nature of the Southern Star release reflects common practice in craft distilling. Small-batch releases allow distilleries to gauge market response while managing inventory of aged spirits.
Southern Distilling Company continues to operate from its North Carolina facility, offering tours and tastings alongside production activities. The Southern Star launch represents the latest step in the distillery’s evolution from contract producer to branded spirits company.
