Native Spirits is the first whisky house to be established in Brevard, North Carolina since statewide prohibition was enacted in 1909. Our mission is to create a line of whiskies showcasing the unique styles of Appalachia and to shed light on our roots as a people here in the mountains.
Located in the heart of Western North Carolina, Native Spirits draws its inspiration from the area's rich history of Scots-Irish roots and the whisky-making heritage our ancestors brought with them.
We aim to showcase how Appalachian culture blended into the tapestry of America to create this unique land we call home. We feel like there's no better example of this cultural evolution than American whiskey, and we hope all our family and friends in the whisky community experience that vision in each and every bottle.
Crafting the spirit of appalachia
Shawn Hamilton - Founder
Shawn is a seventh-generation native of Brevard, NC, an MBA grad from Western Carolina University, and a proud father of two amazing boys, Caleb and Noah.
The vision for Native Spirits materialized from two passions: Shawn's genealogical research into the Hamilton family - rooted deeply in Scotland and Ulster Ireland - and his love of mountain culture and traditions; specifically the rich whisky heritage of Western North Carolina, a fascinating history which has gone virtually untold!
These sources of inspiration created a burning desire in Shawn to tell the region's story from his unique perspective, and to pour this passion into a spirit that this region can call its own.