RAISING A GLASS TO FALL AT END OF DAYS DISTILLERY
Updated: 20 hours ago
Since opening its doors in Wilmington’s Cargo District in 2020, End of Days Distillery has grown into much more than a destination for craft spirits. It has become a gathering place where locally inspired cocktails, creative collaborations, live events, and a strong sense of community come together under one roof.
With fall bringing a new season of flavors, the distillery is leaning into the cozy side of the season with an enticing lineup of cocktails featuring apple, pumpkin, caramel, vanilla, smoked peach, ginger, maple, and chamomile. There are also new spirits and limited releases on the horizon, including the latest American Single Malt—a collaboration with Flying Machine Brewing Company that has been aging in barrels for several years. We caught up with Marketing Director, Evan Faulkner of End of Days to talk about the flavors, experiences, collaborations, and community that continue to shape the distillery, as well as what’s next for one of the Cargo District’s original gathering places.
Fall is an exciting season for new flavors and releases. What can guests look forward to from End of Days this fall, including any new spirits, limited releases, ready-to-drink cocktails, or seasonal offerings?
Fall always calls for cozy, warm, spiced flavors, and our mixology team has put together a new fall menu that's absolutely terrific! You'll find apple, pumpkin, caramel, vanilla, smoked peach, ginger, maple, and chamomile throughout the menu. Our fan-favorite Apple of My Eye is back, made with our Port of Entry Vodka, Honeycrisp apple, fall spices, and citrus. My personal favorite is the Smoke Show, which pairs our Castaway Series Barrel-Aged Rum with a smoked peach rum liqueur. Matt over at Mibby's Deli smokes the peaches for us before we turn them into the liqueur, and it's such a unique fall flavor.
We're also releasing another batch of our American Single Malt at our Western Night on October 30th, and this one is extra special. We teamed up with Flying Machine Brewing Company, distilled their beer mash, and let it rest in the barrel for the past couple of years. Our head distiller, Derek, and owner, Shane, pulled a taste straight from the barrel recently and haven't stopped talking about it. We always have fun projects in the works at EOD, so keep an eye out for what else we pour before the season is over.
End of Days has become known for creating more than just great spirits. It's a place to gather, learn, and experience craft cocktails. What events, tastings, cocktail classes, dinners, or other special experiences do you have planned for the fall season?
We love using our space to bring people together. Cocktail classes are back, hosted by our lead mixologist, Gus, every Thursday, and tickets are on sale on our website.
We're also throwing a Western Night on Friday, October 30th, and it's free and open to the public! There'll be line dancing with Connection Dance Company from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., mechanical bull rides from 7 to 9 p.m., boot and hat branding with Hide & Harbor Co. from 6 to 8 p.m., and a full Western-themed cocktail menu. Plus, we'll be releasing our next batch of American Single Malt. It's the perfect excuse to channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl and enjoy a night on the town. Our whole team is already planning their outfits!
We also love hosting pop-ups with local businesses and artists. Follow us on social media or check our website to stay up to date on everything happening at the distillery.
End of Days has been part of the Cargo District from the beginning and has become a place where people come together. How important has community been to the growth of EOD, and what has it been like to see relationships and connections develop?
Community has been everything to us. We've been in the Cargo District since the beginning, and growing alongside our neighbors has been one of the best parts of this whole journey. EOD started as a family business, and that feeling carries over into how we treat everyone who walks through the door. A lot of our regulars started out as first-time visitors and now feel like part of the crew.
The relationships with our Cargo District neighbors have been just as meaningful. We always want to support the businesses around us, and we're so grateful for how they've supported us right back. A lot of the other bars in the district carry our spirits and feature cocktails made with them on their menus, and that means a lot to us. It really feels like a neighborhood where everyone is rooting for each other. The Cargo District is full of makers and creatives who care about what they do, and when we lift each other up, everyone wins, especially the people who come spend the day with us.
End of Days has continued to evolve since opening. How has the distillery grown over the years, and what are you most excited about as you look toward the next chapter for EOD?
We opened six weeks before COVID hit in 2020, and we've grown beyond what any of us imagined. Every year teaches us plenty of lessons, and those lessons help our team keep getting better. Today, our lineup includes a full range of spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails, and our sales team is carrying our bottles all over North Carolina. We love running into fans of our spirits at festivals, events, and ABC stores across the state.
Looking ahead, we want to keep growing our footprint here in Wilmington and statewide. I'm especially excited about our ready-to-drink cocktails, which let people take a little piece of the EOD bar experience home or wherever their day takes them. We're also looking forward to more collaborations with local makers and more events that bring people together at the distillery. Through it all, we'll stay true to what we've always been about: Prohibition-inspired flavors and Carolina roots.
For someone planning a visit to the Cargo District this fall, what does the ideal End of Days experience look like, and what do you hope they discover when they stop in?
Spending a day in the Cargo District this fall is a must! Start with one of our free tours and tastings. Our tour guides walk you through the distillery, share our story, and show you how our spirits are made, and then you get to taste them for yourself. From there, settle into the lounge. We've got comfy, cozy spots to sit, catch up with friends, and enjoy a cocktail. Our craft cocktail program is all about showing the unique ways our spirits can shine, so it's the perfect chance to try something new. Pair your drink with one of our charcuterie boards, or grab lunch or dinner from our friend Matt at Mibby's Deli. He cures and smokes all of his own meats, and his sandwiches are excellent. The Rachel is so delicious, and Mibby's just landed on USA Today's list of the best sandwiches in the country! Before you head out, stop by our merch room for EOD gear and gifts to take home.
More than anything, we want everyone who walks through our doors to feel welcomed, comfortable, and like part of the family. We're big believers in unreasonable hospitality, which really just means going above and beyond to make sure every guest has a great experience. We hope people leave feeling like they've found their new favorite spot.
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