A Spirited Revival

W‌hile Historic Weldon may be famous for its Rockfish, business partners Bruce Tyler and Michael Hinderliter are looking forward to bringing new attention to the region in new ways. Weldon Mills Distillery and tasting room recently opened along the banks of the Roanoke River with intent to produce top shelf liquors for the delight of the public. Local history is integral to this establishment. It's housed in the former Roanoke Navigation Company’s corn mill, built in 1892, that was later the first commercial electric power plant in North Carolina. The immaculately restored tasting room lies at the end of the Roanoke Canal Trail, a seven mile walking path following the course of the river downstream from the Roanoke Rapids Lake. Weldon Mills Distillery is the perfect place to stop for a respite, take a trolley and tour the distillery. River Park and the Weldon boat landing is nearby as well.

Weldon Mills aims to produce small batches of whiskey, bourbon, rye and vodka in the 34,000 sq. feet facility that was repurposed and equipped to bring fine spirits to the region. Tyler said the ingredients for the distillery's premium products will be sourced locally whenever possible and always from North Carolina.While the distilling process seems simple, it takes a real expert with a keen and developed sense to know when to “cut” the product. Tyler and Hinderliter brought in award winning distiller Mike Norman, who began his career as an admitted moonshiner. Norman said it was in Franklin, N.C’s furthest mountainous reaches where he worked his first still. “It's in the very western corner of the mountains,” he said, then laughed, “We’ve got all kinds of rocks there.” These days, Norman has gone straight and has merged the “recipe” with the chemistry to produce award winning products in Kentucky and Iowa. He laughed when he talked about the culture shock that he experienced when moving from the far reaches of the south to Iowa. “God got tired before he made that place,” he joked. Eager to move back to the Southeast, Norman said he was pleased when Tyler saw his information at the American Distillery Institute and decided to call. “We had a lotof the same ideas so I came to look at the place,” he said. The primary product for Weldon Mills will be bourbon, according to Norman. He saidthere are lot of laws that govern the ingredients and determine theproof of the final product. “It takes about six months to make top shelf in small barrels,” he said of the bourbon. “While time is passing,there is vodka and gin. We'll make them in small batches and serve it inthe tasting room.”

While Norman said he misses a lot about his moonshining days he remarked that there’s a lot to be said about the new, modern stills and processes. “You have more control and there’s less chance of scorching,” he said and while ingredients, temperatures , and time are variables that must be strictly adhered to, there are secrets to the recipe and technologies that other people don’t know about that make a premium liquor. Tyler and Hinderliter said they were excited that their establishment has the opportunity to bring people to

the area. “There are so many cool things to do,” Tyler said, mentioning that Halifax County has much to offer whether you're making a day trip or staying awhile. “You can hop off Interstate 95 and stay a little while. " he said, "We have plenty to do and places where you can stay.” The two mentioned they will be naming their products in honor of the river and its bounty, including a “Rockfish” brand. Tyler also said part of the proceeds from the business will be donated to benefit Rockfish and their habitat as well as the families of fallen soldiers. Hinderliter said the business has been blessed to be very well received by the community. He loves the venue and its placement and he looks forward to success.

“I don’t know anywhere else you can get a building like this on a river like that,” he said.

The tasting room is open Thursday 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. The venue is also available for weddings and other events. For more information email info@weldonmillsdistillery.com or visit www.weldonmills.com