In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where mist drifts through the pines and wildlife wanders, stands Blue Ridge Distilling Co. Here, the water flows through limestone aquifers, ushering in a font of water with the perfect pH for producing craft spirits. DEFIANT Whisky, created by Blue Ridge Distilling Co., utilizes this unaltered, invaluable liquid along with milled malted barley or rye and yeast as foundational ingredients.
“When you make whisky with just four ingredients — no fillers, enzymes, or coloring — there’s no place to hide. You either made something terrible, or you made liquid gold,” says DEFIANT’s Director of the Devil’s Cut, Christopher Simovich, on the Blue Ridge Distilling website.
Is it whisky or whiskey? The difference may seem small — a single letter — but to aficionados and distillers, it represents centuries of tradition and regional pride. DEFIANT Whisky intentionally drops the vowel as a nod to the Scottish single-malt tradition, where oak defines the character.
Yet the Bostic, North Carolina-based distillery doesn’t shy away from breaking the rules. Instead of aging in oak barrels that take years to mellow, DEFIANT employs a proprietary process, using spirals of premium toasted American white oak to extract flavor more efficiently, resulting in a smooth, aromatic spirit. Only then is the whisky ready to be put into barrels for maturation. Special small batches are aged or finished in various wooden casks to create truly unique spirits. One such product is their annual DEFIANT Patriot Whisky.
Whisky with Intention
Over the last four years for Veteran’s Day, the brand has released DEFIANT Patriot Whisky, a special edition single malt whisky, as a salute to those who have served. “We sent them into the breach, they heeded the call, and now is the time to repay them for their sacrifice,” the company touts. As a salute to these veterans, 100% of the profits from all Defiant Patriot Whisky go to organizations that support veterans wounded in combat and those with mental health conditions resulting from their service, such as severe PTSD.
A whisky crafted as a salute deserves attention worthy of these heroes. Following the brand’s standard distillation process, the 2025 Patriot is then thoughtfully finished in a single cherry wood barrel. Each sip of this spirit elicits notes of cherry, honey, vanilla, caramel, and toasted cereals, unfolding slowly, with a dry, lingering spice that seduces the palate.
To satisfy both whisky connoisseurs and folklore fans, DEFIANT expanded its lineup in 2025 with its Santer Whisky, a single malt barley and rye blend inspired by North Carolina’s local legend: the mysterious Santer cat. The creature, rumored to have stalked the area’s farms and forests since the 12th century, was blamed for livestock and domestic pet attacks. The bottle’s design nods to the beast with jagged claw marks slashing down the label, while the whisky prowls with tasting notes of chocolate, vanilla, and leather, and hints of nutmeg and buffalo grass.
From the Mountains to the Masses
DEFIANT Whisky’s calendar is as lively as its liquid, bringing its spirit — both beverage and enthusiasm — to the world, shaking hands, mixing drinks, and firing up conversations. “We aren’t just members of a distillery. We’re not just co-workers. We are a family dedicated to making something special to pour into your glass,” says DEFIANT’s Distillery Operations Manager, Daphne O’Dell, on the Blue Ridge Distilling website.
At its Blue Ridge home base, visitors can sign up for tours and tastings. Guided by knowledgeable distillers who speak about the whisky’s distillation process, guests can learn and see for themselves how the whisky converts from grain to a spirited beverage. The distillery also hosts cocktail classes and workshops, where guests can try their hand at mixology with DEFIANT Whisky being the chief ingredient.
The brand can also be found at off-site events, like the WNC Bigfoot Festival, the Nolcha New York Fashion Week closing party, and the cocktail bar at the International Emmys, as well as in presenters’ swag bags. And it fuels the community at action-packed events, such as MotoAmerica’s Super Hooligan National Motorcycle Championship, where Blue Ridge Distilling Co./ DEFIANT Whisky sponsors Arch Racing.
DEFIANT defies tradition through its distinctive distillation process, proving to naysayers that quality craft whisky can be created without waiting decades. The brand raises a glass to those who carve their own path and to those who share their stories through ink and over a shared bottle of whisky.
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