Broadslab Distillery sits on a 60-acre farm along NC Highway 50 in Benson, about 30 miles southeast of Raleigh. Founded by husband-and-wife team David and Lisa Wicker in 2013, the distillery takes its name from the historic Broadslab Baptist Church that once stood nearby. David, a former IT professional, and Lisa, who worked in healthcare administration, decided to pivot their careers after falling in love with craft distilling during visits to other North Carolina operations. They spent two years learning the trade and navigating the regulatory maze before opening their doors in 2015. The distillery produces bourbon, moonshine, and flavored spirits in a converted agricultural building that maintains its rural character while housing modern distilling equipment including their custom 500-gallon copper still.
The Wickers started with a clear vision of creating authentic Carolina spirits that honored traditional methods while embracing innovation. David handles the production side, developing recipes and managing the distillation process, while Lisa oversees operations and the tasting room experience. Their approach focuses on small-batch production with careful attention to each step, from mashing to bottling. The couple sources corn locally when possible and ages their bourbon in charred oak barrels on-site. What began as a leap of faith has evolved into a legitimate operation that’s become a destination for spirits enthusiasts exploring North Carolina’s growing distillery scene.
Visitors find themselves in a genuinely rural setting where you can see the entire operation during tours and taste spirits while learning about the distillation process directly from the founders. The tasting room occupies part of the main building and maintains a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere where conversation flows easily. You’re likely to encounter David or Lisa during your visit, and they’re happy to talk through their spirits, the challenges of starting a distillery from scratch, and their ongoing experiments with new products. The experience feels personal and authentic rather than polished or corporate.
