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Award winning distillery in Clayton, Rabun County Georgia
Award winning distillery in Clayton, Rabun County Georgia
About Us
Our History
We’re doing things at Moonrise Distillery like they’ve been done since the early 1950s. While at times it seems like an old-fashioned, inefficient process, our use of tried and true methods and time consuming double-distillation removes impurities for a more refined sipping bourbon and rye whiskey. And unlike most distillers, we let our spirits tell us when they are ready - aging by taste and not by time.
Artisan Crafted
Pairing the spirit with the perfect barrel is imperative to producing the pleasant butter and vanilla notes characteristic of Moonrise Georgia Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. The proper amount of “toast” and “char” open pores in the brand new American white oak and caramelizes the natural sugars in the wood. And of course the wood in our barrels is first aged a minimum of 9 months outdoors.
Award-Winning Products
Our bourbon and rye products enjoy national and international recognition and are currently in distribution across 7 states. First produced in 2013 the aged products were introduced to market after 3 full years of aging in 30 gallon barrels in 2017.
Since their introduction the spirits have won 3 gold medals in international competitions at the Global Spirit Awards in Las Vegas, MicroLiquor Spirit awards in Los Angelos and the International Spirit Competition in New York City. Both the bourbon and rye have recently been rated 92 and 90 respectively by Tasting Panel Magazine - the authority in the spirit market.
Our Products
Vodka
Our unique Vodka was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2019 Georgia Trustees Wine and Spirits Competition. The annual event celebrates the top producers of wine and spirits across Georgia
Our distillation method, exceptional local ingredients and focus on quality produces an extremely smooth vodka with a wonderful mouth feel and lacks the typical bite of mass produced vodka.
Our goal is to create vodka with a rich texture and mouth feel that is more pleasing and viscous to the palate. You will find this vodka to be quite comfortable in a glass alone with ice.
Gin
Our Gin is created from a special herb bill of 14 unique botanicals. A special process combines two traditional methods of making Gin to produce a unique kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas.
Our botanical Gin combines the best of floral and fruit with the right amount of earthy nuts and spices to have exceptional body without overpowering Juniper pine tree notes.
The discerning palate may discover our signature notes derived from the peels of Ruby Red pink grapefruit.
Snow Cream
Remember as a child being so excited for the first snow of the season? The prospect of your Nana making Snow Cream from fresh snow, condensed milk and vanilla?
The only thing missing was the partnership of that amazing experience with an award winning bourbon whiskey. Our Snow Cream will bring you back to that amazing moment with the first smell of vanilla when you break through the hand dipped wax seal.
Enjoy the journey through the hint of bourbon attitude and finish squarely in the snow cream experience. Coffee extra.
Bourbon Whiskey
Building on the foundation of our James Henry Bourbon Whiskey, Moonrise offers a family of award winning Bourbon Whiskey sure to please everyone.
Rye Whiskey
A very unique and highly decorated Rye Whiskey that incorporates the best of both Bourbon and Rye Whiskey. Born and raised in Rabun County.
Brandy
Cognac and mountain style brandies produced from fruit grown locally and sweetened with local honey.
Craft Cocktails
Our expertly crafted ready to drink cocktails are all natural and derived from our hand crafted spirits. Just grab the bottle and enjoy a Margarita, Bloody Mary, Rye Whiskey Tea or Bourbon Lemonade and enjoy the moment.
Barbecue Sauce
Our unique sauce is derived directly from the barrel. After we dump a set of Bourbon Whiskey barrels to create a small batch we harvest the char to produce a liquid extract. The extract is incorporated into our amazing sauce.
Jellies and Preserves
Made with our Moonshine (the four grain white whiskey kind with no sugar added). Experience real local fruit with natural ingredients in our Peach Bourbon and Mountain Berry Moonshine preserves.
Pickles
We love crispy flavorful pickles. We produce a bread and butter style Moonshine Pickle and a half sour pickle fermented in Rye Whiskey barrels.
Ice Cream
The folks from Vermont didn't return our calls so we made our own. Incorporating our spirts we hand craft our four ice cream flavors from local ingredients.
Our Distillery - Live Music 2-5 Sundays
The Front Porch at Moonrise
Nothing more relaxing than our 80 foot covered front porch. Enjoy the mountains, our craft cocktails and award winning craft spirits.
Our Event Lawn
Bring your favorite chair or blanket and relax on the turf. Picnic baskets are welcome every day and are perfect during one of our concerts.
Band and Event Stage
Amazing talent like the American Rock Club band are now entertaining crowds in our mountain concert venue.
Grotto and Reserve Tables
Enjoy a cocktail and perhaps a picnic at our stage side grotto area.
Distillery Cocktail and Tasting Bar
Our cocktail and tasting bar is located inside the distillery. Enjoy ready to drink craft cocktails while relaxing with others while you watch us make award winning spirits.
Outdoor Fire Pit
Relax by the fire at our stage side fire pit.
Moonrise Ambassador Club
Be a Moonrise Ambassador
Moonrise Ambassador Club
Whether you’re after a smooth, full-bodied and flavored bourbon to sip neat or something with layers of complexity to use in your favorite cocktail, we have a Moonrise expression for you. If you like what we are about and are ready to take this relationship to the next level consider becoming a Moonrise Ambassador. Enjoy special events, access to unique Ambassador product offerings and information, special discounts and the opportunity to help us spread the word about Moonrise.
We’ll also put your name on a special barrel and let you sample and nurture it throughout it’s aging process. Once it’s ready we’ll let you visit Moonrise, bottle the batch and take home a few personalized bottles.
We think that’s worth the wait. The initial cost of $275 and annual renewal of $200/year entitles you to $5 discounts on bottle purchases, $2 discounts on cocktails, 10% merchandise discount (like our cool Yeti's), your own Glencairn whiskey glass to take home and access to Ambassador only product and merchandise releases, Ambassador Club leather coaster and Moonrise Distillery hat.
Of course tastings and tours are free for Ambassadors as they enjoy the use of an Ambassador glass during their visit. There’s always something going on at our little distillery and we hope to see you soon. Click here to join the club.
