Eda Rhyne Distilling Company sits in a converted warehouse space on Fairview Road in Asheville, where founders Ryan and Aimee Hacker launched their craft distillery in 2015. Ryan, a former engineer, and Aimee, who worked in hospitality, decided to dive into distilling after years of home brewing and a shared fascination with traditional spirits production. They named the operation after Eda Rhyne, Ryan’s great-great-grandmother who lived in the North Carolina mountains and embodied the independent spirit they wanted to capture in their whiskey. The husband-and-wife team started small, installing a 250-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works and focusing on bourbon and rye whiskey production. Ryan handles the distilling operations while Aimee manages the business side and tasting room operations. They’ve built their reputation on using locally sourced grains when possible and aging their spirits in full-size barrels rather than taking shortcuts with smaller cooperage. The distillery reflects their no-nonsense approach—functional equipment, honest processes, and whiskey that speaks for itself rather than flashy marketing. Visitors find a working distillery that prioritizes substance over spectacle. The tasting room occupies the front of the facility, with production equipment visible through large windows that let you watch the actual distilling process. You can sample their bourbon and rye expressions while talking directly with the people who made them. The atmosphere stays relaxed and educational, with Ryan or Aimee often available to explain their mash bills, fermentation process, or aging philosophy without the scripted tour experience you get at larger operations.