Jon Page

Eda Rhyne Distilling Co. of Asheville, North Carolina, announced this week that it sustained severe flood damage from Hurricane Helene. The storm ripped a devastating path across Western North Carolina in late September, causing catastrophic flooding and landslides while knocking out electricity, water, internet and cell service across the Southeast. Eda Rhyne is located near Biltmore Village, an Asheville destination along the Swannanoa River, which suffered from extreme flooding.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating path across Western North Carolina, where many communities have been without power and water for two weeks, craft spirits companies in the region have been helping provide potable water to residents. In late September, the storm created catastrophic flooding and landslides that claimed hundreds of lives; destroyed homes and businesses; washed away roads; and knocked out electricity, water, internet and cell service across the Southeast.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced Bespoken Spirits in Lexington is the newest member of the nonprofit trade group that unites and leads Kentucky’s signature bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Founded by Stuart Aaron and Martin Janousek, Bespoken began production at its California headquarters in 2019. They relocated their headquarters and production facility to Kentucky – the birthplace of bourbon and epicenter of American whiskey – earlier this year.