Kill Devil Rum sits right in the heart of Manteo on Roanoke Island, part of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It’s the brainchild of Outer Banks Distilling, which opened its doors in 2017 as the first legal distillery on the Outer Banks in over a century. The operation is housed in a converted building on Budleigh Street, where they focus primarily on small-batch rum production with a few other spirits in the mix. The name ‘Kill Devil’ pays homage to the area’s pirate history and the old slang term for rum that dates back to the 1600s. You’re looking at a craft operation that’s brought distilling back to an area where it actually has deep historical roots – these barrier islands were notorious for rum running and pirate activity back in the day. The distillery combines that swashbuckling heritage with modern craft distilling techniques, creating spirits that reflect both the maritime culture and the unique environment of the Outer Banks. What started as a dream to create something authentically local has grown into a legitimate destination for both tourists exploring the area and spirits enthusiasts looking for something genuinely different. The location itself is pretty perfect – you’re on the same island as the Lost Colony and just a short drive from where the Wright brothers took flight.