Drinking Classy

by Kurt Epps—The PubScout

I’ve written about 1233 Distillery just across the NC state line in Little River, SC previously. In fact, my publisher, who focuses on places in Brunswick County and NC, found it so appealing, he created a category for places like it, and called it Across The Line.

Especially before Covid, you could go into pretty much any bar, pull up a barstool and get mixed drinks and cocktails. (And beer, if you were with me.)

But it’s a whole different experience when you drink in an authentic speakeasy, meticulously decorated to capture that particular essence of Americana. You even need a password to get in.

And while most bartenders are very good, there is a difference between the standard concoctions they make and those of a true “mixologist.” Shelley (R.) was in the latter category.

A group of us took our newlywed friends Maria and Jeff to 1233 to celebrate their first full day as husband and wife.

In the past, you needed to take a full tour of the place and the distilling process in order to access that space, hidden behind a sliding door panel.

And for $25, you got six house-made spirit samples, ranging from rye to gin to rum to vodka to bourbon AND a mixologist-made cocktail of your choice. It was well worth it.

But the savvy owners came to learn—probably from the experience of rave reviews— that lots of folks would appreciate the opportunity to simply sip in that luxurious speakeasy style and ambience. So they opened their hidden space up. It can accommodate seventeen people, and it’s available for small gatherings, celebrations, office parties, etc.

We were the small gathering. The ambient music transported us back to the days of Bonnie and Clyde, bootlegging…and maybe even the Little Rascals.

Lovely Shelley explained everything about history of Prohibition (which is reflected in the name of the distillery) the drink choices, and answered all questions posed by the group. Each drink has a name, and Shelley explained the significance of them all. Our decisions were made, and minutes later, Shelley delivered our selections.

Needless to say, everyone was wowed. I mean, how could you NOT be wowed by a perfectly spiced Bloody Mary with a slice of salami and a full sausage sticking out of it? Three of us unrepentant carnivores picked that one.

But when—not if—you go to 1233, you’ll have plenty of others from which to choose. Your first choice, of course is to choose to go.

Some great memories are waiting to be made in an authentic speakeasy.

You’ll want to tell your friends and families about this very neat place. Though mum’s the word, if you want it to be. (wink, wink)

Cheers!

The PubScout--immersed in the craft beer scene since 1996

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