13 Distilleries to Visit in Western North Carolina
April 23, 2022
These days distilleries are popping up every where throughout North Carolina. Asheville and Western North Carolina are no exception. From full scale operating distilleries to tasting rooms, check out all these distilleries within an hour drive from Asheville.
Feel free to use this list to plan your own WNC spirits trail.
Distilleries within Asheville area:
- Cultivated Cocktails – Not just a tasting room but a cocktail lounge. Located in downtown Asheville. A little bit of various distilled spirits including rum, gin, vodka, coffee liqueur and creme de cacao.
- Asheville Distilling Company – This is a place for whiskey lovers. Six different types of whiskeys including a blonde whiskey, oak reserve, flavored whiskey and moonshine. New location in downtown Asheville will be open this Fall 2022.
- Chemist Spirits – Tasting room and Antidote Bar, an early 1900s Apothecary style cocktail lounge. Both are located in the heart of the South Slope. Four types of gin including barrel rested, navy strength and a milk & cookies bierbrand, a unique collaboration with Wicked Weed.
- Eda Rhyne Distilling Company – Located in the Biltmore Village neighborhood. You will find seven different types of distilled spirits. Four flavored herbal liqueurs, gin, vodka and a unique soda mixed with liqueur.
- Dalton Distillery – Small batch craft spirits including two types of vodka and three types of rum. Located in downtown Asheville.
- Howling Moon Distillery – As seen on shows such as Moonshiners, Gordon Ramsays Unchartered and Ride with Norman Reedus. Currently offering four types of moonshine made with traditional family recipes.
- Rye Knot Restaurant & Distillery – Classic pub fare with their own beer and distilled spirits. A local spot offering rye whiskey, corn whiskey, bourbon whiskey and vodka. Gin and rum coming in the future.
South of Asheville:
- Two Trees Distilling Company – Located in Fletcher, approximately 20 minutes from our inn. A lot of choices here with something for everyone. Four types of whiskey, eleven flavored whiskeys, a vodka and a couple of liquor infused ready to drink whiskeys.
- Cedar Mountain Moonshine – Located in Cedar Mountain, approximately 50 minutes from Asheville. This is still a hidden gem offering eight flavors of moonshine. It is a short distance away from your fun day hiking in Dupont State Recreational Forest.
East of Asheville:
- Oak & Grist Distilling Company – Located in Black Mountain, approximately 20 minute drive from our inn. Currently offering two types of whiskey and two types of gin.
- Copper Creek Distillery – Located in Marion, approximately 40 minutes from Asheville. You will find five flavors of moonshine. Note that they continue to add more flavors every season.
- Blue Ridge Distilling Company – Located in Bostic, just under an hour away. Specializing in rye whiskey and single malt whiskey.
West of Asheville:
- Elevated Mountain Distillery Company – Located in Maggie Valley, approximately 40 minutes from the inn. Whiskey, bourbon, vodka and various moonshines available.
Biltmore Estate There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis. Now through January 4, 2026, you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds. Explore Beer City USA The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend. Foodie Experiences Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns . With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America. Hiking Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls. Sharpen your photography skills Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas. Take an art class Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery. Live music Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. Pamper yourself There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge. Indulge in a romantic getaway Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.