Ancient Art of the Hills
Eda Rhyne Distilling Co. is using folk knowledge, rare heirloom grains, and native botanicals to capture distinct regional flavors for all to enjoy.
In Western North Carolina there is no shortage of mystique surrounding the distillation of spirits. Most stories revolve around the illicit production and distribution of fiery corn whiskey by poor but proud mountaineers. Striving souls battling poverty and existence in a rugged land.
Less is known about the medicinal aspect of the “ancient art of the hills”. The Blue Ridge was not only a difficult terrain but also a therapeutic landscape. Appalachia’s many micro-habitats are home to some 2,500 plant species, of which some 1,100 have been reported to have medicinal properties. Spirits often provided the perfect way of extracting the healing qualities of these plants.
Eda Rhyne Distilling Co. is mining the flavors of these regional medicinals to craft truly unique interpretations of traditional herbal liquors and other fine spirits. Our Appalachian Fernet, Amaro Oscura, Amaro Flora and Pinnix Gin use folk knowledge passed down for generations to capture a terroir that honors the land and the people of Southern Appalachia.
The Heirloom Project
The Eda Rhyne Heirloom Project is our vision and commitment to making exceptional whiskey while protecting rare and endangered grains. Our traditional double pot distilled method captures the distinctive flavors of these grains almost forgotten by time.
We also help preserve these wonderful heirlooms by supporting farmers that have kept these grains alive.
Our first release will be Eda Rhyne’s Rare Grain Rye Whiskey, which captures the rich, nutty flavor of Seashore Black Rye. This unique heirloom grain was introduced to the United States in the 1830’s but as of 2016, it grew in perhaps as few as five farms in the South, mainly as a cover crop.
The corn in the Rye Whiskey mash bill is even more rare. Conor Family Corn is an heirloom variety saved from extinction by one family in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. We are honored to be the first commercial distiller to use this single source grain.
The Heirloom Project also embraces a spirit of exploration and innovation with many ultra small batch experiments on our release docket.
