We sit down with Pete Barger of Southern Distilling Company and taste through Southern Star Paragon Cask Strength, Southern Star Bourbon Finished in Zinfandel Casks, and Southern Star Double Rye—breaking down each pour and the thinking behind the lineup.

Pete shares how he and his wife Vienna launched the distillery, why sourcing grains locally matters, and how their focus on regenerative agriculture extends beyond the farm. We also get into the Zinfandel cask finish—how it came together, how they approach finishing whiskeys (including the Honey Barrel), and why some releases are offered in 375ml bottles.

We close with a look at visiting the distillery in Statesville, North Carolina, how the North Carolina whiskey scene has evolved since their launch, what’s next for Southern Distilling, and where you can find their products.