Today on Consuming the Craft, I welcome back Charlie Stanley from Oak and Grist Distilling Company in Black Mountain, North Carolina. We dive deep into the journey of a small craft distillery navigating the challenges of being in a control state, the growth of Oak and Grist's product line, and the evolution of their spirits since Charlie’s last visit. We geek out on the technical and creative aspects of distillation, address the headaches of marketing and distribution in North Carolina’s ABC system, and celebrate unique spirits — like their incredible Genever and the Peachwood-Smoked Single Malt. Along the way, we share a sensory deep-dive with a glass of Armagnac and touch on the resilience it takes to keep a craft beverage business alive, especially in the wake of devastating storms.

Charlie Stanley is an alum of AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute and serves as lead distiller at Oak and Grist. With almost six years under his belt at the distillery, Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge in production, blending, and creative problem solving. Whether it’s crafting rare spirits like American Genever from scratch or adapting to unpredictable market forces, his experience and dedication are evident in every bottle. Beyond the production floor, Charlie has been an invaluable educator for both staff and the broader beverage community, returning often to AB Tech to share his expertise.

"Genever is the whiskey drinker’s gin... there’s so much more grain flavor, a balance of malt sweetness and botanicals." ~Charlie Stanley

Today on Consuming the Craft:

·     Oak and Grist has expanded their offerings and matured their products significantly in the past six years, focusing on quality and evolution.

·     The ABC system in North Carolina requires distilleries to adapt to a unique, fragmented, and sometimes frustrating structure for spirits sales and distribution.

·     Education is essential—both for distillers and retail staff—to help consumers understand and appreciate local spirits.

·     Oak and Grist produces a rare, authentic American Genever that’s 100% single malt and distilled entirely in-house without sourcing.

·     The distillery uses only full-size 53-gallon barrels for aging, favoring balance and complexity over rapid wood extraction from small barrels.

·     Their Smoke Series features whiskeys made from North Carolina craft malt smoked with fruit woods like peach, resulting in nuanced and balanced spirits.

·     Surviving Hurricane Helene was a challenge, but it ultimately broadened Oak and Grist’s statewide presence and reaffirmed their resilience.

·     Continuing education, community connections, and creative blending are all core to Oak and Grist’s ongoing success.

Contact for Charlie Stanley and Oak and Grist:

Oak and Grist Distilling Company – https://oakandgrist.com/

Visit them in Black Mountain, NC

More on Charlie and the team: https://oakandgrist.com/about-us

Resources Mentioned:

AB Tech Craft Beverage Institute: https://abtech.edu/academic-programs/craft-beverage-institute

Riverbend Malt House – Suppliers of local craft malt: https://riverbendmalt.com/

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

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