Straw Hat Distillery

In 2013 two engineers (and home brewers) had a great idea to start a distillery in Florence,SC. It all started with a mess of paperwork from the Federal, State and local governments. (Apparently it’s all our patriotic duty to purchase and consume alcohol, because we have to return much of the money we make on alcohol sales to these three levels of government.)
With all that being said and done we finally got down to making some great product. Starting with corn whiskey and heading toward bourbon. In between those two great spirits, we have sprinkled in some flavorful moonshines.
We wouldn’t make anything that we would not absolutely love to drink ourselves.
Come to the distillery and enjoy some of the best that SC has to offer. We’d love to see you there on Saturday. Tour, taste and bring home the magic (we offer sales at the distillery).

Author: Caroline Porsiel

Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.