CRAFT DISTILLERY

Burnt Church Distillery

Bluffton,
Georgia, South Carolina
— Bourbon, Rye, Moonshine

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (843) 872-0158
🌐 https://burntchurchdistillery.com/
📍 120 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Burnt Church Distillery sits on Bluffton Road in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, where founders Rick Lollis and Jim Irvin transformed their shared passion for craft spirits into reality in 2014. These two locals didn’t come from distilling backgrounds—Lollis worked in manufacturing while Irvin had a career in logistics—but they shared a vision of bringing small-batch bourbon and whiskey production to the Bluffton area. The distillery operates out of a converted warehouse space that maintains an industrial feel while housing their custom copper still and aging operation. They focus primarily on bourbon, rye whiskey, and moonshine, with each batch carefully monitored through the production process. The facility combines production space with a tasting room where visitors can sample their spirits and learn about their approach to craft distilling. What started as two friends experimenting with recipes has grown into a legitimate operation that’s become part of Bluffton’s growing craft beverage scene, though they’ve maintained their small-batch philosophy and hands-on approach to every aspect of production.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT SETS THEM APART

Burnt Church stands out as one of the few grain-to-glass operations in the Bluffton area, with Lollis and Irvin handling everything from mash preparation to bottling on-site. Their location in South Carolina’s coastal region means they’re dealing with different aging conditions than traditional bourbon regions—the humidity and temperature swings create unique maturation characteristics in their barrels. The distillery name itself tells a story, referencing local Lowcountry history and the area’s colonial past. They’ve also focused on developing relationships with local suppliers for their grains when possible, and their small scale allows them to experiment with different mash bills and aging techniques that larger distilleries can’t easily attempt.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Tours at Burnt Church give you a behind-the-scenes look at their entire operation, from the milling and mashing process through distillation and into the barrel aging area. You’ll see their copper still in action (when production is running) and get explanations of how their mash bills differ between their bourbon and rye expressions. The tasting room has a relaxed, industrial vibe with concrete floors and exposed beams, and tastings typically include samples of their current releases with explanations of the production process for each. The founders or staff members leading tours are genuinely knowledgeable about their specific processes and can answer detailed questions about their recipes and techniques.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re interested in seeing small-scale craft distilling in action and don’t mind a more industrial setting over polished tourism facilities, Burnt Church offers an authentic look at startup distillery operations. It’s particularly appealing to spirits enthusiasts who want to understand the technical aspects of production rather than casual tourists looking for a highly polished experience. The tastings give you a good sense of how their products differ from mass-produced spirits, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of grain-to-glass production. However, if you’re expecting elaborate facilities or extensive food options, you might be better served at larger operations. This is more about the craft and less about the ambiance.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm tour times since production schedules can affect availability, and they don’t always run tours every day of the week. The facility is in an industrial area, so GPS should get you there accurately, but look for warehouse-style buildings rather than fancy signage. Ask about their different mash bills during tastings—they’re usually happy to explain the grain recipes and how they affect flavor profiles. If you’re interested in purchasing bottles, they typically have their current releases available on-site. Weekend visits tend to be less rushed if you want more time to chat with staff about their processes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Burnt Church Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation for tours and tastings?
Yes, it’s best to call ahead since they’re a small operation and tours depend on production schedules and staff availability. They don’t always run tours every day.
What spirits do they produce on-site?
They focus on bourbon, rye whiskey, and moonshine, all produced from grain to bottle at their Bluffton facility. They work with different mash bills for their whiskey expressions.
Can I buy bottles of their spirits to take home?
Yes, they typically have their current releases available for purchase on-site. Selection depends on what they have in stock and what’s ready for bottling.

GETTING THERE

Find Burnt Church Distillery

📍120 Bluffton Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910, USA

 — 

📞 (843) 872-0158

The 50 States of Whiskey

Find a Craft Distillery

Search from nearly 1,500 Distilleries
in all 50 States

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

SMART BUYING GUIDES

The Right Gear Matters

Honest recommendations on everything around the bottle.

The best ice molds and ice makers for bourbon lovers
Best Clear Ice Makers for Bourbon (2026)

Read More →

The Best Bourbon Decanters: A No-Nonsense Guide to What’s Actually Worth Buying

Read More →

The Best Home Bar Carts and Bar Cabinets for Bourbon Lovers (2026 Guide)

Read More →

Best Bourbon Smoker Kits (2026) – Worth the Smoke?

Read More →

whiskey glasses
Best Whiskey Glasses for Bourbon: 5 Glasses Every Bourbon Drinker Should Own

Read More →

NEAT OR NOT

Whiskey Reviews

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating: 

KEEP EXPLORING ,

Distileries Near Burnt Church Distillery

Bourbon, Rye

Soldier of the Sea Distillery

Comer,
GA
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.

Contrast Distillery

Simpsonville,
SC
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Vodka, Gin, Moonshine

Big Creek Distilling Co.

Dahlonega,
GA
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Bourbon, Moonshine

Moonrise Distillery Downtown Speakeasy

Clayton,
GA
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.
Vodka, Gin, Whiskey

Social Fox Brewing & Distillery

Norcross,
GA
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.

Southern Distilling Company

Statesville,
GA
Click the Distillery Details button below to lean more about this producer.