ROCKY MOUNT, Va.—Franklin County has long been known as the moonshine capital of the world. Now, it’s taking advantage of that title.
Two small distilleries—one in Boones Mill and another in Rocky Mount—are paying tribute to the county’s long, and sometimes scandalous, moonshine history. The county’s claim to fame is no longer behind the scenes or discussed in hushed tones. In a few months, it will be proudly displayed on labels.
The two towns are excited to finally have legal stills up and running.
“It’s such a distinctive Franklin County heritage product that is now wondrously legal,” said Boones Mill Mayor Ben Flora.
Franklin County Distilleries, in Boones Mill, is owned by Dan Hodges, a physician who splits his time between Roanoke and Lafayette, Louisiana.
It’s a small operation, in a nondescript building without a sign. Hodges said he wants to start small for now, though he said a tasting room could be in the future.
Brandon Hash of Ferrum makes the distillery’s corn whiskey. Distilling has been an interest of Hash’s for years. He declined to get into the specifics of how he learned to make the distillery’s corn whiskey, saying just that he’s had some good teachers along the way.
Hash said he comes in to work at the distillery two to three times a week. Everyone working at the distillery has a day job. Though he hopes the distillery will take off, distilling is really just a hobby for Hash.
“If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not working,” he said.
It’s a long process to get the liquor onto shelves, which probably deters a lot of folks from opening a distillery of their own, Hash said. He’s excited for the day that it’s finally available, which the distillery is still working to determine. Hodges expects it will be on shelves in mid-December.
The high-quality water in Boones Mill will have a positive effect on the liquor. The better the water, the better the drink, Hash said.
Hash said he'll occasionally sample a bit of his product along the way. “You got to make sure it’s right,” he said. With each run, Hash strives to make it better than the last.
Though the white whiskey could be used in a mixed drink, that’s not what Hash would suggest. “Straight up’s as good as it gets,” he said.
Boones Mill Town Manager Matt Lawless said the distillery is consistent with the vision he and the council have for the town’s redevelopment. Lawless hopes for more restaurants and breweries, and believes a distillery fits right in.
Franklin County Distilleries is believed to be the first legal distillery in Franklin County since Prohibition.
