Southern Distilling Company Strengthens Focus on Decade-Long Contract Services Success with Statesville Contract Distilling

Dedicated Name Rooted in Statesville’s Whiskey Heritage, Driving the Future of Custom Spirits Production

STATESVILLE, N.C. (March 4, 2025) – Southern Distilling Company is proud to announce Statesville Contract Distilling, the newly named division that honors the company’s longstanding commitment to contract distilling and co-packing services. Since the company's founding in 2013, this division has been an integral part of Southern Distilling Company’s growth and success. Now, it’s stepping into the spotlight with a formal identity of its core pillar of business that reflects both the heritage and future of whiskey distilling in Statesville, North Carolina.

"We don’t just make whiskey—we redefine excellence. Contract distilling has been the backbone of our business from the start and it was time to give this essential part of our business its own name and identity," said Pete Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company. "Statesville Contract Distilling embodies our relentless commitment to precision, innovation, personalization, and world-class craftsmanship. We are dedicated to delivering superior spirits tailored to the highest standards for our partners, while honoring the deep-rooted whiskey heritage of our community."

Southern Distilling Company could have been built anywhere, but Statesville was the clear choice. With its ideal climate, fertile land for growing grain, and central location for distilling, aging, and transporting spirits, Statesville provides an unmatched foundation for excellence. The town holds a unique legacy: once known as the "Liquor Capital of the World," Statesville’s distilling traditions were interrupted by Prohibition, but Southern Distilling Company is proud to reignite and carry forward this storied history. More importantly, the company’s capabilities today are relevant and its dedication to quality and personalized services provides significant value to clients, ensuring excellence in every aspect of contract distilling and co-packing.

“Statesville Contract Distilling represents not just the core of our services but also the spirit of a community deeply rooted in distilling heritage,” Barger continued. “We’re proud to bring this legacy into the modern age with unparalleled customer service, exceptional quality, and an unwavering commitment to the craft.”

Statesville Contract Distilling’s mission is simple—to honor its Statesville roots while building on a decade-long reputation for personalized contract distilling service and superior spirits production. The name reflects the company’s ongoing commitment and dedication to offering premium contract distilling and co-packing solutions while fostering lasting partnerships.

“This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the trust and support of our team, partners, and community,” said Barger. “We’re grateful to each of you for joining us on this journey. Together, we’re building something truly special.”

For more information, visit statesvillecontractdistilling.com.

About Southern Distilling Company

Southern Distilling Company has reignited North Carolina’s distilling tradition while embracing the innovation of America’s craft spirits industry. The 20-acre distillery campus is proudly located in Statesville, North Carolina, a city with a big role in bourbon’s history. Before Prohibition, Statesville was known as the “Liquor Capital of the World.” It is now home to a state-of-the-art 36,000 square-foot distillery where days are spent distilling the highest quality bourbons and ryes and watching over more than 65,000 barrels patiently aging in the rickhouses. Southern Distilling Company has grown to become one of the country’s largest privately owned distilleries since being co-founded by Pete and Vienna Barger in 2013. Southern Distilling Company supports sustainability and regenerative agriculture processes and sources quality grains from farms within 20 miles of its facility. It also produces Southern Star bourbons and rye whiskeys—its own line of award-winning artisan spirits. The distillery, located along Interstate 77 near the I-40 interchange is open for tours, tastings, cocktails, and bottle sales. It also hosts public events and experiences throughout the year. For more information, visit SouthernDistillingCompany.com.

About Statesville Contract Distilling

Statesville Contract Distilling, the contract distilling division of Southern Distilling Company, offers a diverse range of standard and custom new fill whiskeys, extensive aged barrel inventory, warehouse barrel storage, private label production, and co-packing for more than 150 brands globally.  Statesville Contract Distilling’s mission is simple—to honor its Statesville, North Carolina roots while building on a decade-long reputation for combining the artistry of distilling with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled personalized service to produce craft-quality spirits at scale. For more information, visit statesvillecontractdistilling.com.