Looking for an alternative to Russian vodka? Try these North Carolina distilleries
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What to know about Russian vodka, Ukranian vodka and local distilleries
As Gov. Cooper urged local liquor stores to stop selling Russian vodka, here’s what you should know.
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On Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper urged North Carolina liquor stores to remove all Russian-made alcohol from their shelves in order to support the people of Ukraine. As violence wages on in Ukraine at the hands of Russian forces, folks may want to financially divest from the invading country. One way to do that: spend your dollars on locally made vodka.
Across the state, North Carolina boasts plenty of distilleries. We’ve rounded up some spots where you can grab a bottle of vodka — and more — while supporting local craft.
Bedlam Vodka (Graybeard Distillery)
Location: 4625 Industry Lane, Durham, NC 27713
Made from long grain white rice, Bedlam Vodka has historic roots in Ireland. Plus, it’s endorsed by Jason Derulo, pop culture lovers.
Doc Porter’s
Location: Online
Co-owners Andrew and Liz Porter named their Charlotte-based spirits company after Andrew’s grandfather. Among the products they offer is Doc Porter’s vodka, made from NC wheat.
Durham Distillery
Location: 11 Washington St., Durham, NC 27701
While gin is the calling card of Durham Distillery, vodka is offered as well. Owners Melissa and Lee Katrincic offer a cucumber-infused vodka, made in 5-gallon batches.
[Related: NC joins Russian liquor boycott. Which vodka brands aren’t Russian?]
Fainting Goat Spirits
Location: 115 W. Lewis St., Greensboro, NC 27406
Fainting Goat’s Tiny Cat vodka is distilled from NC wheat and is double distilled. This distillery offers plenty of whiskey as well for the brown water fans out there.
Great Wagon Road Distillery
Location: 610 Anderson St., Charlotte, NC 28205
Great Wagon Road’s Salamander vodka is named for a folk tale that if one finds a salamander in the water, they’d know that water is pure. Fun fact: the distillery claims to be the oldest in Charlotte.
Seven Jars Distillery
Location: 6148 Brookshire Blvd. Ste. A & B, Charlotte, NC 28216
Seven Jars offers a regular vodka and a pickleback flavored vodka, infused with NC pickles.
Topo Distillery
Location: 505-C W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Try Topo’s organic vodka, fermented and distilled in Chapel Hill.
Bonus round: loft&bear
No, this vodka isn’t made in the Carolinas. But the founder, Paul Ryan Elliott, is a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill grad. So if you see this Los Angeles-crafted product around in Carolinas liquor stores, you’ll know it has NC ties. Extra bonus: the company is Black-founded.
Support Ukrainian vodka
You can take your purchasing power a step further and directly support Ukrainians at liquor stores just across the border in South Carolina.
Southern Spirits in Indian Land and Lazy Day Liquors in Fort Mill are promoting Kozak, a vodka from Ukraine.
Lazy Day has removed Russian vodka from its store, while Southern Spirits will stop promoting Russian vodkas but will sell down the inventory it currently has.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 1:44 PM.