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A dozen distilleries worth the drive—or drink. Let’s go distillery-hopping! Leaning into state spirit—ahem, literally—we poured together a list of some of NC’s distillers worth drinking (or taking a detour for) the next time you’re looking to mix it up.

The passion to protect our environment creates unexpected partnerships. The story behind artist Wyland's feature on Blue Shark Vodka's limited edition bottles and how he continues to bring awareness to environmental issues through art.

Blue Shark Vodka's handcrafted bottles reflect the beauty of the company's namesake sharks while supporting research to protect them.

The 9th Annual Taste of Wrightsville Beach was a HUGE success thanks to our title and loyal sponsor Coastal Kia and other generous sponsors, host Bluewater Grill, our AMAZING vendors, raffle donors and patrons with beautiful weather!

With new distilleries opening across the state, there is one in particular that is making waves from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina.

Boozy holiday gifts don’t just magically appear on ABC store shelves this time of year via some North Pole magic. It’s a year-round process that starts with spirits companies and distilleries spending months thinking of just right way to set their bottles apart from the crowd.

San Diego Spirits Festival celebrates 13 years of top-shelf drinks

Blue Shark Vodka takes home Gold in "The Fifty Best" domestic vodka tasting competition

The competition also featured a category where a distillery and mixologist partner for a cocktail taste test. At the event, which was held Aug. 8 at the Angus Barn in Raleigh, Blue Shark Vodka and Brian Pratt of Flying Machine Taproom and Kitchen in Wrightsville Beach earned the people’s choice award for their watermelon-and-honey Flight Plan cocktail.

Brian Pratt, a mixologist for Flying Machine Taproom and Kitchen representing Blue Shark Vodka, won the N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association Chef Showdown's People's Choice awards for Bartender of the Year and Distillery of the Year.

Mark Bloomquist, AKA Mark the Shark, will be getting a closer look this month at the stealthy stalkers of the ocean. He’s one of the people behind the local distillery Blue Shark Vodka. A deep love of the ocean is among the company’s guiding principles.

‘Smooth’ Blue Shark Vodka is made in Wrightsville Beach from North Carolina sweet corn.

The guys sit down with UNC Football’s 2nd leading all-time scorer Connor Barth and CEO Mark Bloomquist to discuss Wilmington, NC’s own, Blue Shark Vodka. Here is what they learned:

Former journeyman NFL kicker Connor Barth remembers his first taste of Blue Shark Vodka. His buddy, a bartender at King Neptune’s in Wrightsville Beach, told him he had to try Wilmington’s first locally produced vodka.

It started as a meeting of three Wrightsville Beach faves — retired NFL star Connor Barth, King Neptune Restaurant, and Blue Shark Vodka.

The blue shark is one of the most docile sharks in the ocean, it is not known for being aggressive towards people so there is no need to fear the ‘bite.’

With Brooke Bloomquist’s background in marketing and special events and her father’s naval career and business prowess, their masterminding of Blue Shark Vodka seemed almost inevitable.

Wilmington distillers know that there’s more to a great drink than a high-quality foundation.

Blue Shark Vodka, headquartered in Wrightsville Beach and distilled in Wilmington, is flying off the shelves of New Hanover County’s ABC stores.

A dozen distilleries worth the drive—or drink. Let’s go distillery-hopping! Leaning into state spirit—ahem, literally—we poured together a list of some of NC’s distillers worth drinking (or taking a detour for) the next time you’re looking to mix it up.

The passion to protect our environment creates unexpected partnerships. The story behind artist Wyland's feature on Blue Shark Vodka's limited edition bottles and how he continues to bring awareness to environmental issues through art.

Blue Shark Vodka's handcrafted bottles reflect the beauty of the company's namesake sharks while supporting research to protect them.