WNC Distillery Trail: Exploring Oak & Grist in Black Mountain

Whether you’re a spirits connoisseur or just love discovering hidden gems around Western North Carolina, our stop at Oak & Grist Distilling Company in Black Mountain, NC should be on your must‑visit list. Just about 20 minutes east of Asheville, this distillery combines tradition, local craftsmanship, and Appalachia‑inspired flavor in every sip.

🥇 A Brief History of Distilling in North Carolina & WNC

North Carolina’s story with distilled spirits traces back to the early post‑Prohibition era and beyond, when small farms and rural communities produced moonshine and local whiskey for personal use and local sale. Over the decades, craft distilling has experienced a renaissance across the state — from coastal gin makers to mountain single malts — as enthusiasts and entrepreneurs embraced small‑batch production and terroir‑driven spirits. Today, NC’s craft distilleries are celebrated for blending regional ingredients with innovative techniques.

While prohibition and regulatory restrictions once dampened the growth of the industry, recent years have seen a revival in artisanal distilling, with places like Oak & Grist leading the charge in grain‑to‑glass production — a rare and coveted approach that ensures every batch reflects both place and process.

🌾 The Story of Oak & Grist

Oak & Grist was founded in 2015 with a simple but deep vision: to craft spirits that draw from Scottish distilling traditions while honoring Appalachian character and locally sourced ingredients.

Co‑founder and Head Distiller William Goldberg brought this vision to life after years of hands‑on study and work in fermentation and agriculture. Mentored by experienced Scottish distillers, Goldberg and his team set out to build a 100% grain‑to‑glass operation — meaning every batch begins with local barley that’s malted, brewed, fermented, distilled, and aged under one roof right in Black Mountain.

Oak & Grist’s approach connects consumer to producer like few other distilleries can — you’re tasting the spirit and the region it came from.

🥃 Spotlight: Signature Spirits

Oak & Grist has developed a compelling portfolio of spirits that are both refined and reflective of local terroir:

🍸 Genever‑Inspired Gin

Crafted in the traditional Dutch/Belgian style, this bold gin starts from malted barley and is then distilled with carefully selected botanicals. The result is rich, smooth, and deeply flavorful — a gin that rewards both the curious and the seasoned palate.

🥃 Single Malt & American Malt Whiskey

Oak & Grist’s single malt whiskies are among the few in the U.S. that follow the grain‑to‑glass Scottish tradition. Their Origin expression is aged in previously filled bourbon casks to achieve a delicate profile of fruit and grain character, while other limited editions — like rum‑cask finished and barrel‑reserve releases — showcase innovation and depth.

From lighter, region‑inspired single malts to complex small‑batch releases, these whiskeys reflect a commitment to craft that’s rare in the U.S. distilling world.

🍹 Cocktails & Tasting Experience

Oak & Grist isn’t just about bottles on a shelf — the tasting room and bar offer expertly crafted cocktails that let you experience their spirits in creative, refreshing ways. From classic gin cocktails to whiskey‑forward sips, the menu celebrates both tradition and experimentation.

Whether you want a crisp gin cocktail on a sunny afternoon or a richly layered sipping drink as the sun sets over the Blue Ridge Mountains, their bartenders know how to showcase the best ingredients in every glass.

📍 Visit Oak & Grist in Black Mountain

Just a short drive from Asheville, Oak & Grist offers:

• 🍷 Distillery tours
• 🥃 Tastings and flights
• 🍹 Cocktails from their curated menu
• 🍾 Bottles to take home
• 🎶 Occasional events and live music

This welcoming distillery combines rustic charm with refined spirits, making it a perfect stop on a WNC distillery trail adventure.

🥂 Cheers to Local Craft

Whether you’re a local resident, visiting Asheville, or exploring the broader WNC craft beverage scene, Oak & Grist deserves a spot on your itinerary. Taste the difference that true grain‑to‑glass spirit production makes and enjoy the warm hospitality of one of our region’s beloved distillers.

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