Discover the Whiskey Prison Distillery Tour in North Carolina

Southern Grace Distilleries offers one of the most unusual distillery experiences in America — a working whiskey distillery housed inside a decommissioned prison. Visitors walk through former cell blocks and guard stations while learning how bourbon is made on-site, blending history, craft spirits, and a truly unforgettable setting.
Why it’s special: It’s the world’s first bourbon distillery in a former prison, offering a rare combination of craft distilling and authentic correctional history.

History/Story of Southern Grace Distilleries

The distillery occupies the grounds of the former Cabarrus Correctional Center, a medium-security prison that operated for decades before closing. Instead of demolishing the site, Southern Grace transformed the facility into a craft distillery — repurposing cells into tasting rooms, converting guard towers into operational spaces, and aging spirits inside buildings once used for inmate housing. Today, the distillery is known for award-winning bourbons and its unique storytelling approach to both whiskey and local history.

What You’ll See & Do

• Walk through original prison cell blocks, exercise yards, and restricted areas

• Learn how Southern Grace produces bourbon, from grain to fermentation to distillation

• Visit the barrel houses where whiskey ages behind former prison walls

• Hear stories about the prison’s past, inmate life, and the facility’s transformation

• Sample Southern Grace’s craft spirits, including bourbon and specialty releases (21+ only)

• Browse the on-site gift shop for bottles, merchandise, and whiskey-themed gifts

Visiting Information

Hands-On Elements

Guests may smell grains used in fermentation, examine stills and fermentation tanks, and walk through active production areas inside the former prison. Tasting flights are offered at the end of most tours for adults 21+.

Photo/Video Policy

Photography is allowed in most areas of the tour, including many preserved prison spaces. Some production zones may restrict flash or video to ensure safety and product integrity.

Souvenirs & Extras

• Bottles of Southern Grace bourbon and limited releases

• Whiskey-themed merchandise, apparel, and glassware

• Specialty items connected to the distillery’s prison history

• Occasional seasonal events, premium tastings, and nighttime tours

Practical Info

Tours must be booked in advance and often sell out during weekends. Closed-toe shoes are required to access production areas. Visitors should expect moderate walking, sometimes on uneven flooring or through narrow passages originally designed for prison use. Most tours last 60–75 minutes, with optional tasting time afterward.

Pricing

• Standard Whiskey Prison Tour: ~$14–$20 per person

• Tasting Included: Usually included in full-price tours (ID required)

• Premium / Extended Tours: Higher pricing depending on features

• Bottle purchases & merchandise: Individually priced

Nearby

• Downtown Mount Pleasant shops and cafés

• Concord attractions, including motorsports sites and breweries

• Reed Gold Mine Historic Site

• Charlotte (approx. 30–40 minutes west)

FAQs

Is the distillery really inside a former prison?

Yes — the entire experience takes place inside original prison buildings, including cell blocks and secured areas adapted for distilling operations.

Do the tours include tastings?

Most paid tour options include spirit tastings for guests 21+. Non-drinkers and minors may attend the historic portions of the tour.

Is this tour kid-friendly?

Younger visitors may join the non-tasting portions, but the environment includes prison history and may not be ideal for all children. Parental discretion is advised.

How much walking is required?

Expect moderate walking on uneven surfaces and through industrial and historic spaces. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended.

Can I buy whiskey on-site?

Yes — the gift shop sells bottles, merchandise, and exclusive distillery releases only available at the Whiskey Prison.