Rum in The Palmetto State
South Carolina’s rum history dates back to colonial times when it was the most popular spirit. This roughly triangular state is divided into three natural regions: the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Each region has unique attractions, from Charleston’s Historic District with its colonial architecture to the lively beaches of Myrtle Beach and the golf capital of the world. Nature lovers can explore the hardwood forests of Congaree National Park and the scenic Hilton Head Island. The ACE Basin is a vast 1.6-million-acre estuary, home to diverse wildlife and one of the largest areas of undeveloped wetlands on the East Coast.
Historically, South Carolina was central to the transatlantic slave trade, with Charleston as a major port. After the American Revolution, there was a brief rum-distilling revival in Charleston due to the loss of British trade with rum-producing colonies. In the early 20th century, South Carolina implemented a state-run liquor dispensary system. During Prohibition, the state became a hub for rum runners and bootleggers. However, after Prohibition ended in 1933, the state’s focus shifted away from illicit spirits production.
Today, South Carolina continues its spirit heritage with around 30 craft distilleries, about half produce a rum and only one is fully dedicated to rum. These distilleries offer a glimpse into the state’s enduring legacy in spirit production. You can explore South Carolina’s rum distilleries and experience it first-hand. First, let’s start the state-wide rum adventure in Upstate South Carolina.
Upstate South Carolina
Between Atlanta and Charlotte, is a stunning natural landscape. From the cascading waterfalls of Falls Park on the Reedy to the vast expanse of Congaree National Park, this region offers outdoor enthusiasts a mild subtropical climate and boundless opportunities for adventure. As the heart of the Charlanta megaregion, it’s also home to America’s friendliest city, and textile capital of the world, Greenville, a perfect stop for rum lovers.
Chattooga Belle Farm Distillery
This 200-acre working farm, distillery, and event barn in Long Creek was established in 2005. The farm and vineyard is the first legal distillery in the county in 100 years and makes a range of spirits including rum. Roger’s Rangers Rum is what they like to call a Mountain Rum. Made to commemorate the Army Rangers, it is rich, smoky, and bold in the beginning with a soft touch at the end. The rum is aged in a brand new American white oak charred barrel for about 3 years. They use a base of pure cane sugar, dried molasses, the tiniest pinch of wheat, and water straight from their farm. It’s the only Rum they currently make for now, but do plan on bringing out a Silver Star Rum soon. Visitors are always welcome and they are only closed Sundays. Tours of the distillery, along with purchases, are only done on the property.
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Swamp Fox Distilling
Swamp Fox Distilling, nestled in historic downtown Pendleton, is South Carolina’s distillery solely dedicated to making rum. Home to award-winning Pure Corruption® Rums, they’re committed to producing bold, high-quality spirits. Distilled in a custom handmade Alembic copper pot still, the rums are made using Louisiana raw sugar for smoothness and blackstrap molasses for flavour. A proprietary Caribbean rum yeast contributes to the exceptionally smooth spirit. As the name suggests, Pure Corruption® Rums are bolder and stronger than many comparable rums.
Swamp Fox Distilling released 3 new rums in November 2024 and currently has 10 unaged and 3-barrel aged rums. Their single barrel-aged rums are Dead Center XO at 92 proof, and Dead Center XO at cask strength. New releases include Booty Brulee, a rum cream, A Shot In The Dark coffee rum, and Two Timer, a double barrel aged rum. This edition has a freshly emptied Dead Center XO Rum barrel sent to a local brewery that aged a stout in it for 13 months. Once returned, 2+ year old Dead Center XO rum is aged in it for another year. Swamp Fox Distilling Rum is only available at the distillery which is open Thursday to Saturday from 2pm–7pm.
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Six & Twenty Distillery
Six & Twenty began in 2011 with the dream of founder David Raad to build a company that embodied upstate South Carolina. Six & Twenty is named after a local Native American legend and the original distillery being on that land. Making a range of spirits in Greenville using all SC-grown grains, there’s rum made here too. Oak & Pearl Rum is made from Caribbean-sourced Black Pearl Molasses and aged in combination with their freshly emptied 5-grain Bourbon barrels for 4 years of ageing. You can visit for a tour, which is every Saturday at 12pm, 2pm, & 4pm. The tasting room & cocktail bar hold regular events and are open Monday to Saturday for craft cocktails in West Greenville.
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New South Spirits
Founded in 2024 by master distillation engineer Todd Harbin in Greenville. The range includes New South Spirits Silver Rum and Barrel Rested Rum. The Spiced Rum is made with a blend infused of all-natural spices with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. There’s a small-batch pineapple rum and vanilla rum infused with the pure essence of natural vanilla beans. You can book a distillery tour, and tastings and enjoy some rum craft cocktails.
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Contrast Distillery
Founded in 2021, the distillery located in downtown Simpsonville owned by Christy Hall, South Carolina’s first female head distiller. They create small batch spirits with everything distilled onsite and that includes rum. Silver Caye is their white rum made for cane and molasses distilled on a hybrid potstill. You book a visit, order a flight of different liquors, sip cocktails, and pick up a bottle from Thursday to Saturday.
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Red Bordner Distillery
Established in October 2014, is Red Bordner Distillery in Boiling Springs which is named after a bubbling spring. Red Bordner Distillery is named after the man behind the product and making it, from a family of bootleggers. He’s been making moonshine, specialises in moonshine and whiskey, but now makes rum. South Carolina Silver Rum is made onsite in upstate South Carolina and is a light-bodied white rum. South Carolina Gold Rum is aged in barrels made also in South Carolina. Open from 10 am-7 pm Monday-Saturday with free tastings and tours and try his rum and selection of moonshines – it’s the best place to pick up a bottle.
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Sleeping Giant Distillery
In the heart of Rock Hill, stands York County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. Founded in 2020 by brothers William and Patrick, passionate about the art of distillation, they transformed the 1900s Williams Cotton Company building into a micro-distillery.
Exlusively using Colombian panela, they double-distill each batch in a custom hybrid pot still. Their range includes Sleeping Giant Silver Rum, Barrel-Aged Rum, Carolina Beach Bum, and a variety of flavored rums. A limited-edition ChristmasVille Maple Spiced Rum launches this week, with future releases including barrel-aged rums from ex-blackberry brandy and ex-maple syrup cognac barrels. They also have a port barrel and several ex-bourbon/whiskey barrels. Open Friday and Saturday, the tasting room offers rum flights and bottle sales. Tours are available, and their rums can be enjoyed in cocktails at Kounter, FM Eatery, and Lore Brewing.
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Central Midlands
Stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Piedmont Plateau, the region has stunning natural forests, Table Rock State Park, the Chattooga River, and the picturesque Yellow Branch Waterfall (pictured). This area is home the vibrant city of Columbia, the fishing haven of Lake Murray, and intriguing railroad museums. It’s an ideal destination for road trippers seeking rum adventures along the way.
Carolina Moon Distillery
Founded in 2013 this micro-distillery is located in charming downtown Edgefield, they produce corn whiskey, vodka, moonshine, and white and aged peach wood Rum. Owned by David Long & Cal Bowie, they have a sister distillery in Augusta, Georgia called 2nd City Distillery. Carolina Moon only uses the heart of each batch to yield the best spirits possible. Their spirits are distilled, bottled, and packaged by hand on-site.
Lady Belle Rum is an exclusive version of their handcrafted rum, aged with individually charred peach tree wood until it’s as smooth as a fuzzy peach. The name originates from the variety of peach trees used to age the original batch. Made from the finest peaches from the Peach Capital of the World in nearby Johnston. Tours and tastings are Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm and do call ahead to reserve.
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Gorget Distilling Co.
Founded in Lugoff in 2015 by 3 locals, this craft distillery produces rum, vodka, whiskey, and bourbon in small batches. The distillery’s name comes from the word gorget, which refers to a piece of armour worn around the throat in battle. The name was inspired by a story Hugh’s father talked about the “moon on the SC flag not being a moon. Gadsden Rum has been aged in charred white oak barrels for over 2 years with vanilla, cocoa bean, and raisins. SilveRum is their white rum made from cane sugar molasses bottled at 96-proof.
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Boxwood Distillery
Founded in 2024 this craft distillery in Florence the picturesque Pee Dee region and serves the local area. They make a range of spirits including rum. Black Water White Rum is distilled from raw sugar and molasses and is named after the mysterious, meandering waterways that crisscross the lush landscapes of the Pee Dee. Muldrow’s Gold Rum is inspired by the fertile landscapes and sun-kissed fields at their Boxwood Plantation and the Pee Dee and aged in charred oak barrels. Pee Dee Pyrat Spiced Rum is inspired by the state’s rich nautical heritage and starts with white rum and then adds a spice of vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus spice. Tupelo Black Molasses Flavored Rum and La Piña Pineapple Flavored Rum are their other expressions. The tasting room is open from Thursday to Saturday.
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Coastal South Carolina
Escape to the miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches, world-class golf courses, and historic coastal towns like Charleston where you can sip rum in craft cocktails. This region is defined by the Lowcountry’s marshes and barrier islands with a humid subtropical climate. Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island are top destinations for vacationers and have places to enjoy rum.
Twelve 33 Distillery
Founded in 2017 by Kevin and Rebecca Osborn in Little River on the coast near NC. Twelve 33 Distillery produces 2 different award-winning rums made 100% onsite using their custom 750L Christian Carl Hybrid Column Still. Crusader Spiced Rum: The Crusaders were founded to promote the repeal of prohibition after the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre between rival bootleggers in Chicago. They were instrumental in providing political pressure to bring its repeal. Made in their honour, Crusader Spiced Rum is handmade by infusing their Premium Silver Rum with premium Grade A molasses with spices such as Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Cinnamon, Cloves, Star Anise, and Ginger.
Arethusa Single Barrel Rum: During Prohibition, rum was produced in the Caribbean and transported on ships along the eastern seaboard. The most famous of those ships was Arethusa, renowned for carrying the highest quality spirits. In her honour, the single-barrel rum is made from premium blackstrap molasses and aged in rye whiskey barrels over 2 years to create a soft, sweet profile with notes of caramel and vanilla. As the first production distillery in the Grand Strand, they make a portfolio of spirits on-site. You can visit the large tasting room and bar to taste their cocktails, enjoy a distillery tour, and pick up a bottle at the retail gift shop.
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Firefly Distillery
Firefly Distillery in North Charleston was founded in 2005 by Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt. This destination distillery hosts live music events and makes a range of spirits including rum. Firefly’s Sea Island Java Rum is a tribute to Caribbean tradition, handcrafted with Southern sugarcane. Distilled from fermented molasses, this unaged rum is infused with Colombian coffee, cocoa, and select spices to create the ultimate java-inspired spirit. Meticulously blended, it has a bold coffee flavour with an incredibly smooth finish. You can taste the rum at Firefly Distillery on their tasting menu served in a decadent cocktail. Every Saturday afternoon they have live music featuring local artists, food trucks, lawn games, and various other events.
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Striped Pig Distillery
Founded in 2013, the Striped Pig is Charleston’s first distillery since prohibition. They make local Bourbon, Gin, Vodka, and Rum. With owner “Pixie” Paula Dezzutti and founders, Johnny Pieper, Jim Craig, and Todd Weiss they design every aspect of the machinery themselves. Custom-made copper plate condensers and stainless-steel boilers.
The story behind the Pig dates back to 1838 when the Fifteen Gallon Act was enacted to curb excess drinking practices. The Act stated that liquor purveyors could only sell alcohol in quantities of 15 gallons or more, essentially making it too expensive for the average Joe. In retaliation a quick-witted man, whilst staying within the confines of the law, no longer sold spirits, he gave it away for free. He cleverly striped a normal pig with paint and charged admission to see it. Even more strange, the cost of the ticket was equal to the amount of a tipple of rum. The Striped Pig later became a symbol of less regulation and tax in political cartoons all over America.
Striped Pig White Rum is made with premium Southern molasses. Striped Pig Spiced Rum is inspired by the Master Distiller’s family pie recipe, the white rum is blended with allspice, clove, vanilla, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create a uniquely exquisite spiced rum. You can visit the tasting room, store, and tours are Wednesday- Saturday 12-5pm, and can be booked online in advance. They host private events and on the first Saturday of every month they host a market.
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High Wire Distilling
This agriculturally-focused whiskey distillery in Charleston made a High Wire Lowcountry Agricole in a very limited release. Find out more on High Wire Distilling
RLB Distillery
Founded in 2019 this distillery in beautiful Beaufort’s town centre makes vodka, moonshine, whiskey, and rum. Rotten Little Bastard Distillery is owned & operated by Brigid and Brian Fackrell. The name is affectionately given to Brian by his mother. Their award-winning Boundary Street Rum is a delicious American rum made from organic molasses and evaporated cane juice. We distilled it with the intent of pulling those natural flavors through. The award-winning 1569 Special Rum is their silver rum that has been aged in a new barrel toasted and charred for bourbon, for at least 1 year. Looking to the future, they are working on sourcing local sugar cane syrup, and planning on that release in 2025.
You can visit for tasting tours, where you can try all of our spirits and enjoy a full tour of the distillery, as well as cocktails. Small events, such as Paint and Sip and Book Chats, are always happening. Bricks on Boundary is a local restaurant serving RLB Distilley’s rum. The coffee shop next door, Urban Brew, has a coffee bean that they rested in RLB e-x rum aged rum barrels called Rummin’ on Empty. They sell the beans and drinks made with it.
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Hilton Head Distillery
Founded in 2015, Hilton Head Distillery in South Carolina’s Lowcountry is the only distillery on Hilton Head Island – a popular vacation destination. Dedicated to producing high-quality, American-distilled spirits, the rum is made using molasses, brown sugar, and panela sugar. These ingredients are typically used separately to highlight their unique flavour. Panela sugar, in particular, adds a rich, caramel-like depth to the rum. Distilled in traditional copper stills, Hilton Head Distillery ensures each batch is carefully crafted for smoothness and complexity.
The range includes; Platinum Rum, Panela Navy Strength Rum, Solera Rum, Ghost Pirates Gold Rum, and E.S.D. (Extra Special Dark) Rum, Dark Pineapple Rum, Toasted Coconut Rum, and Spiced Rum. The distillery’s climate of coastal heat and humidity helps the barrel maturation and is closer to a tropical ageing environment. In 2025, the distillery plans to release a limited-edition aged panela rum for over 2 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Hilton Head Distillery has daily tours and tastings, cocktail classes, and a full bar. Guests can explore the distilling process and sample the spirits. You can pick up a bottle at the distillery or on their site.
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Daufuskie Island Distillery
Daufuskie Island is 5 miles off the coast between Hilton Head and Savannah. Founded in 2013 as a rum distillery, the company’s Founder, Anthony Chase, grew up on multiple Army bases and has a strong sense of national pride. They decided to seek Made in America Certification. This is American-made rum distilled, bottled, and packed by hand on Daufuskie Island.
They use yeast strains developed and cultivated in California and their sugar is grown in South Florida. Distilled on copper belly column stills made in Alabama by Confederate Stills. The range includes; Daufuskie Island Silver Rum, Gold Rum, Spiced Rum, Vanilla Rum, Gold Reserve Rum, Kona Coffee-infused rum. The island is accessible only by boat and tours are temporarily postponed during the construction to double the size of the distillery. You can find the rum in stores and bars nearby.
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Pusser’s Rum
The company founded in the British Virgin Islands, has corporate headquarters and retail warehouse in North Charleston since 2013. Pusser’s Rum is a blend of 5 stills located in Guyana and Trinidad. In Charleston, Pusser’s is an official sponsor of the Charleston Battery professional soccer team along with other local activities.
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Where to Enjoy Rum in South Carolina
Beaufort: Jah’lion Grill And Bar
Charleston: The Grouch’s, The Rooftop at The Vendue, Craft Conundrum, Prohibition, The Ordinary, Planters Inn
Columbia: Urban Tiki, Bourbon, Coa Agaveria y Cocina, Prohibition
Greenville: The Rabbit Hole
Georgetown: Between the Antlers, where George Washington once drank.
Hilton Head Island: The Tiki Hut, The Salty Dog Café, Hurricane Bar at the Black Marlin
Isle of Palms: Smugglers Island Eats and Rum Shack, Coconut Joe’s, Acme Lowcountry Kitchen
Myrtle Beach: Barnacle Bill’s Rum & Raw Bar, Ocean Annie’s Beach Bar, The Bowery, 8th Ave Tiki Bar & Grill, Coconuts Tiki Bar
Sullivan’s Island: The Longboard
For local drinks, you could try switching out the local famous sweet tea vodka for sweet tea rum. The Charleston Light Dragoon Punch is a traditional Charleston cocktail that dates back to the 18th century. It is made with rum, brandy, peach liqueur, and a variety of fruits and spices. Some believe the rum drink Planters Punch was invented at the historic Planters Inn in downtown Charleston, and is a blend of rum, citrus, sugar, and spice – others maintain its origins in Jamaica. Whether you visit for the Spoleto Festival USA, the golf courses, or just wanna soak up the Southern charm, there will be a local rum nearby to savour.
For more general travel advice on South Carolina Tourism
For travel planning use our South Carolina Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article and for permission to use their images. Other image credits go to Canva Pro and user contributions.
