his liquor recipes in the ground on our old home place, to help get a distillery going.” Ratcliffe died in 1977. At that time it wasn’t feasible for small distillers to get properly licensed. Only his wife, Velma, knew his buried secret. A few years after his death, Velma told Del about the “buried treasure” on the family property. Under the light of a Carolina moon, they dug where she thought the secrets were buried. Over the course of 18 months, they made several attempts to locate Frank’s buried treasure — all with no success. Finally, in frustration, and just a few short months before the property was to be sold to a developer, Del and Velma resorted to heavy equipment. In the first scoop of the bucket, the treasure was unearthed — seven glass mason jars holding a family treasure more valuable than gold. Hence the name “Seven Jars.” With the recent interest in craft distilleries, fueled by the changes in laws that Frank Ratcliffe predicted, some of the family members decided to open a distillery using their father’s treasured recipes. The history statement on the back of Seven Jars products reads, “We didn’t find them on the first try, or the second … and that’s how we learned that sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper. Now we invite you to enjoy his time-honored recipes.”
What The Doctor Ordered
Opening this fall in Charlotte, Doc Porter’s Distillery evokes speakeasies, bowler hats and a romantic “Gatsby” feel — not to mention handcrafted spirits. Named for owner Andrew Porter’s grandfather, Dr. Richard Porter, the distillery offers Legal drinking age in NC raised from 18 to 21
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Brewpubs legal in NC
1985
they pour a drink.” Doc Porter’s Distillery is slated to open in October for tours and tastings, with the product available in bars and restaurants soon after. “Our tasting room will be simple,” Liz says. “Our bar is handmade from salvaged wood that we picked from a farm in Locust, NC. Our shelving is constructed from industrial piping, and all around, you’ll see a mix of the old and the new. We hope people get the vibe of an old basement speakeasy. No password necessary.”
a “throwback to the past” ambiance. Liz Porter explains, “Naming it after Andrew’s grandfather led us to wanting a logo with an old-world feel, and since he was a doctor, we channeled imagery that made us think of old-time doctors. We saw a mock-up of our logo with the bowler hat and it was exactly the feel we were going for.”
Speak To Me
The Porters hope to create craft spirits that become a staple of the Charlotte community, not simply as a romantic novelty but as a highquality product that sources base grains from local farmers. The distillery is a labor of love. “We want our customers to feel an old-world handcraftedness in our spirits,” she says. “We want to produce products that people will love and make their brand of choice every time
Speaking of speakeasies, The Cellar at Duckworth’s offers customers the romantic ambiance you expect from secret societies and hidden enjoyments. Owner Rob Duckworth says it helps that the building housing The Cellar is one of the oldest standing buildings in uptown Charlotte. “It naturally has that ambiance,” he says. “It was built not too long before the era of Prohibition, and it helps that The Cellar is underground in a basement. With furniture, the bar top and other finishes resembling that period, the ambiance comes together well to resemble the Prohibition era.” Before purchasing the building, Duckworth toured it in search of natural finishes and historical touches, including exposed brick, wooden ceiling joints, and other elements that would have been originally installed when the building was built in 1912. He says he didn’t have a finished plan for The Cellar at the time, but the tour provided food for thought. “It certainly sparked some
Dilworth Brewery opens in Charlotte
First “Pop The Cap” meeting
15% Cap passes
OMB starts production
“1 Bottle” Law for spirits passes
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