Kentucky Mist Distillery operates in Whitesburg, Kentucky, not Myrtle Beach as listed in the address. Founded by Charlie and Stephanie Johnson in 2012, this small-batch distillery sits in the heart of Appalachian coal country in Letcher County. The Johnsons transformed a former auto parts store into their distillery operation, complete with a 250-gallon copper still they named “Bertha.” Charlie, a former coal miner turned distiller, partnered with his wife Stephanie to create authentic Kentucky bourbon and moonshine using traditional Appalachian methods. The couple’s journey into distilling started during the coal industry downturn when Charlie needed a new direction. They spent two years navigating federal and state licensing requirements before opening their doors in 2014. Their operation focuses on small-batch production, typically running 50-gallon batches through their custom copper still. Master distiller Charlie Johnson draws on family recipes passed down through generations of Appalachian moonshiners, though everything they produce now is completely legal and regulated. Visitors to Kentucky Mist find themselves in authentic mountain distillery territory. The tasting room showcases their bourbon, rye, and flavored moonshine varieties alongside local crafts and memorabilia. You’re likely to meet Charlie or Stephanie during your visit, and they’ll walk you through their entire process from mash to bottle. The atmosphere feels genuinely local rather than polished for tourists, which either charms visitors or leaves them wanting more bells and whistles.