Southern Grace Distilleries is America’s only distillery that’s housed in a former prison. The compound originally opened in 1929 as Mount Pleasant Prison, where it remained in operation until it was shut down in 2011.
Meet Sebastian Correa, MASTER DISTILLER, PRODUCTION MANAGER
Sebastian is from Winston-Salem and is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned a BS in Fermentation Science. He loves the science of making good liquor and his favorite drink is a well-made Old Fashioned.
When you walk around the distillery’s production facility, you’ll see that everything has been left pretty much the way it was found. The property is still surrounded by barbed wire fencing, and a guards’ watchtower overlooks the property.
🎸 The moment you walk through the entrance you’ll hear (and feel) the bass of loud rock music pumping through the air. The music is coming from inside a barrel-filled cell block, utilizing a technique called “sonic aging.”
On the prison tour, you will be able to go inside old cell blocks that hold the small but mighty stills that make all of Southern Grace’s delicious products, including two favorites; the small-batch straight bourbon known as Conviction and Sun Dog 130. Sun Dog is a corn whiskey that harkens back to the days of runners, moonshine’s rebellion against Prohibition, and the forerunners of NASCAR.
So, Come learn about the history of the 1929 prison campus or discover how they create their award-winning Conviction Bourbon. You can enjoy a cocktail in the gift shop, or pick up a gift made by local artisans. Book your tour of Whiskey Prison today!
Southern Grace Distilleries offers two tours. Be sure to visit their website for details and to make reservations:
Behind Bars Tours – Take a behind-the-scenes look at the whiskey-making process including fermentation and distillation. Learn about the history of the prison. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and begin in the gift shop and conclude with a tasting of Southern Grace products.
Convicted Spirits Tours (Their most requested tour!) – Same as distilled spirits, dealing with supernatural spirits can require expert assistance. Southern Grace has brought in experienced paranormal investigators as nighttime guides to explore the grounds of their 90-year-old prison. Guests are welcome to bring their own ghost-hunting equipment or just come to watch the professionals.
Fun facts:
Not interested in Whiskey? What about Paranormal Activities?
A lot of paranormal sightings have been reported at Southern Grace. In fact, they rent out Whiskey Prison for Private Paranormal Investigations. Southern Grace was even featured recently on Ghost Hunters!
Location & Hours
Southern Grace Distilleries, Inc.
130 Dutch Road
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina 28124
(704) 622-6413
emily@southerngracedistilleries.com
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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41 Edgewood Ave NE
Concord, North Carolina 28025
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