Distilleries in West Virginia produce whiskey, bourbon, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, and other distilled spirits and have long been associated with the state’s agricultural traditions, frontier heritage, and mountain culture. Distilling dates to the earliest European settlement of the region, when farmers converted surplus grain, fruit, and cider into spirits that were easier to transport and more profitable to sell than raw agricultural products.
Rye whiskey became especially important in the Monongahela Valley during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, contributing to a regional distilling tradition that extended into what is now northern West Virginia. Opposition to federal taxes on distilled spirits helped fuel the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s, an event that affected settlers throughout the upper Ohio Valley.
Early Distilling
Distilling was common throughout the Virginia frontier long before West Virginia became a state in 1863. Farmers commonly produced whiskey from corn, rye, and barley, while orchard owners distilled apples into brandy and cider spirits. Because roads were poor and transportation costly, distilled spirits offered a practical means of preserving and marketing agricultural products. Whiskey became both a commodity and a medium of exchange in many frontier communities. Distilling was especially widespread in the Ohio Valley and the mountainous interior, where grain production was common and access to markets was limited.
Moonshine and Prohibition
Illegal distilling, commonly known as moonshining, became an enduring part of West Virginia folklore. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, federal revenue agents, known as “revenuers,” sought to suppress unlicensed distilleries operating in remote mountain areas. The conflict between moonshiners and law-enforcement officials became a prominent theme in Appalachian culture.
Statewide prohibition took effect in West Virginia in 1914, six years before national Prohibition began, leading to an increase in illicit distilling that continued well into the twentieth century. Corn-based moonshine remained a significant source of supplemental income for some rural families and became deeply embedded in the state’s popular culture. Read: Scrap marker remains to recount the tale of “Likker Charlie” Mills
Modern Distilleries
The modern distilling industry in West Virginia emerged during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries as changing consumer tastes and revised alcohol regulations encouraged the growth of small-scale craft distilleries. Many producers emphasize locally sourced ingredients, traditional recipes, and Appalachian heritage. Distilleries are now found throughout the state, producing a variety of spirits and often offering tours, tastings, and educational programs. Their growth has paralleled the expansion of craft brewing, winery development, and agritourism initiatives.
Tourism and Economic Impact
Distilleries have become increasingly important attractions within West Virginia’s tourism economy. Many are located along scenic highways, near outdoor recreation destinations, or within historic downtown districts. Visitors are drawn by opportunities to sample locally produced spirits, learn about the distilling process, and explore the state’s cultural traditions. Distilleries also contribute to local economies by supporting agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail businesses. As interest in craft spirits continues to grow nationwide, West Virginia’s distilleries have become an increasingly visible part of the state’s food and beverage industry.
Distilleries in West Virginia
Appalachian Distillery
3875 Cedar Lakes Drive
Ripley, WV 25271
304-372-7000
www.appalachian-moonshine.com
Black Draft Distillery
1140 Kelly Island Road
Martinsburg, WV 25405
540-686-0100
www.blackdraftdistillery.com
Bloomery Plantation Distillery
16357 Charles Town Road
Charles Town, WV 25414
304-725-3036
www.bloomerysweetshine.com
Elkhorn Mountain Distillery
2141 Jenkins Run Road
Moorefield, WV 26836
304-538-4277
www.elkhornmountaindistillery.com
Flying Squirrel Ranch & Farm
134 Rada
Purgitsville, WV 26852
304-359-4254
www.flyingsquirrelranch.com
Forks-of-Cheat Distillery
2811 Stewartstown Road
Morgantown, WV 26508
304-598-2019
www.wvwines.com
Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine
297 James Avenue
Gilbert, WV 25621
304-664-2821
www.drinkofthedevilmoonshine.com
Isaiah Morgan Distillery
45 Winery Lane
Summersville, WV 26651
1-888-4WV-WINE
www.kirkwood-wine.com
MannCave Distilling Inc.
851 Left Millstone Road
Weston, WV 26452
www.manncave.com
Pinchgut Hollow Distillery
Heston Farm
1602 Tulip Lane
Fairmont, WV 26554
304-366-9463
www.hestonfarm.com
Smooth Ambler Spirits
745 Industrial Park Road
Maxwelton, WV 24957
304-497-3123
www.smoothambler.com
Still Hollow Spirits
128 Stink Run Rd.
Harman, WV 26270
304-227-4692
www.stillhollowspirits.com
Sweeter-Side-of-the-Feud Distillery
517 Colt Run
Spencer, WV 25276
304-927-3810
www.hatfieldfamilymoonshine.com
West Virginia Distilling Company
1380 Fenwick Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26505
304-599-0960
www.mountainmoonshine.com
Help build our guide to West Virginia Distilleries
West Virginia distilleries seem to be increasing in number at an exponential rate. If you know of a distillery that’s not listed on our pages or have a suggestion for an article regarding West Virginia whiskeys and other spirits, please let us know.
See also: Breweries, Dining and Cuisine