OUR NEW SPICED RUM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE DISTILLERY AND MAKING ITS WAY TO ABC STORES NEAR YOU!
Crafting small batch spirits on the Outer Banks
Distilling the essence of the Graveyard of the Atlantic
Outer Banks Distilling, the first legal distillery on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Manteo. We specialize in crafting small-batch rum inspired by the legendary Graveyard of the Atlantic. Join us for an immersive
experience featuring Kill Devil Rum tastings, indulge in hand crafted cocktails at our Wheel House Lounge, and embark on guided tours to witness our award-winning rum-making process firsthand. Take home a piece of our legacy with your very own bottle of our award winning rum.
our tale
How it all started- TWO BREWERS AND TWO BARTENDERS HAD A DREAM TO BRING BACK THE TRADITION OF RUM ON THE OUTER BANKS
We all met years ago, working at a local brewery in Kill Devil Hills and became fast friends over our shared love for good beer and rum. Over the course of many sessions spent sipping rum and talking shop, we came to the conclusion that starting a craft distillery on the Outer Banks made a lot of sense. Two members of the company, Adam Ball and Kelly Bray, worked at the area’s local breweries for many years. Our other two members, Matt Newsome and Scott Smith, have over 20 years of bartending experience on the Outer Banks between them.
Over the past few years we have attended multiple courses on the art of distilling, including classes at Michigan State University as well as a class put on by the manufacturers of our still. From these classes we have discovered the similarities and differences between distilling and brewing beer. Out of all the spirits that can be distilled, we have come to the conclusion rum is a former brewer’s dream, because of the incredible variety of rum that can be produced, white, gold, spiced and aged rums just to name a few. We have also attempted to sample as many rums as we can get our hands on, from the Caribbean, to new US craft distilleries to rum as far away
as Fiji.
In our search for a location to make our plan a reality, we discovered the perfect place, a historic building in downtown Manteo. As two of us are Manteo High School alumni, the town was a perfect fit. As three of the four partners are residents of Kill Devil Hills, we figured Kill Devil was a good name for the rum. With support from the town we took the necessary steps to starting a craft distillery. The site we chose is an historic brick building on Budleigh St. built in 1946. Over the years the site has been home to Twiford Furniture, Davis Department Store and finally the Dare County Board of Education which left in 2004. The only large change to the building that we made at the time was the addition of a concrete floor for the distilling area. The building turned out to be better than expected with a beautiful pine floor and stout cypress beams that have been turned into our tasting bar, retail counter and front door. The Outer Banks is steeped in rum history and pirate legend, and we want to keep this spirit alive.
EXPANSION
As the years passed and our growth continued, we were thrilled to introduce our cocktail bar, The Wheelhouse Lounge in 2019. This space not only serves as a hub for the community but also allows us to showcase our exceptional products through handcrafted cocktails. Formerly the area designated for rum tastings after distillery tours, The Wheelhouse Lounge has evolved into a place where our beverage director, Matt Joyner, expertly crafts Kill Devil Rum libations with a focus on quality and creativity. As our production capacity steadily expanded, it became clear that further growth was essential.
In 2023, we embarked on a significant expansion project, enhancing Outer Banks Distilling with state-of-the-art additions. This included the installation of a larger Arnold Holstein copper still, the incorporation of three new fermenters (bringing the total to eight), and two blending tanks, enhancing our capacity to create exceptional spirits. Additionally, we implemented an automated bottling line and constructed a barrel aging warehouse.
The expansion also extended to our beloved Wheelhouse Lounge, where our bar underwent enlargement. With the skilled craftsmanship of Larry Bray, father of one of the owners Kelly Bray, all woodwork, including the locally harvested cypress bar top, was meticulously crafted.
This labor of love spanned six months, resulting in a remarkable achievement: a quadrupling of our production capacity for Kill Devil Rum. We remain dedicated to our ethos of small-batch production, overseeing every step from molasses to glasses.
WHY CHOOSE OUTER BANKS DISTILLING?
1
Small Batch Distilling
We produce our liquors in small batches using traditional methods, ensuring that each batch is unique and of the highest quality.
2
Locally Sourced Ingredients
We source our ingredients locally, working with farmers and suppliers in the Outer Banks to ensure that our products are fresh and of the highest quality.
3
Premium Quality
We use only premium quality ingredients to produce our liquors, ensuring that each bottle is of the highest quality.
4
Graveyard of the Atlantic
Our small batch rums are distilled from the Graveyard of the Atlantic, giving them a unique flavor and character that is truly one-of-a-kind.
our TEAM
ADAM
OWNER
SCOTT
OWNER
KELLY
OWNER
MATT
OWNER
WILL
DISTILLER
TONY
SALES MANAGER
MATT
BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
SAM
BARTENDER
JESSICA
BARTENDER
O'ANNA
BARTENDER
JAMIE
RETAIL MANAGER
CASEY
OFFICE MANAGER
The Legend of Kill Devil
Rum was born in the Caribbean, however the exact island of origin is unknown. The first reference to rum is found in the 1650’s from the island of Barbados. The liquor was referred to
as “kill-devil.” Rumbullion, along with kill devil, were popular names for rum at this time. The trade in rum soon expanded to the colonies in New England, which is when the Legend of Kill
Devil may have arrived on the Outer Banks through shipwrecks
The more than 1,000 shipwrecks along the Outer Banks have led it to be named “The Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and some of the wreckage contained barrels of rum. The town of Kill Devil Hills is believed to have been named for either barrels of rum of the brand name Kill Devil or for a rum that was “strong enough to kill the devil.” Some believe the ships were lured close to shore
on dark nights by a lantern hung from a horse’s (or nag’s) neck and walked along the dunes, causing the ships to wreck on the shallow shoals. This practice gives the adjacent town of Nags
Head its name. The story continues with these plundered barrels of rum being hid behind the hill which is now the site of the Wright Brothers Monument. In 1873 the area Lifesaving Station adopted the name Kill Devil Hills followed by the town in 1953.
kill devil rum dogs
