Cape Fear Distillery: Award Winning Craft Spirit

Alex Munroe is the owner of Cape Fear Distillery, renowned for producing award-winning spirits such as Maritime Gin and Cape Fear Rum. He established the Cape Fear Distillery Conservation Foundation to support U.S. coastal ecological initiatives and communities. Under his leadership, the distillery has garnered national recognition, including multiple gold and platinum medals at the John Barleycorn Awards, PROOF Awards, SIP Awards, Las Vegas International Spirits Award and others. DeliveryRank finds out more.

Cape Fear Distillery has won multiple awards, including a Gold Medal for Maritime Gin at the John Barleycorn Awards. Could you elaborate on the development process of Maritime Gin and what makes it stand out in a competitive market?

When we set out to create our gin, we were intentional about staying true to the classic specifications of what gin should be. With all of our products, we aim for balance—we don’t want to get too playful or stray too far from tradition. That being said, we opted for a more international profile, which means our gin is less juniper-heavy than some traditional styles. We understand that not everyone enjoys the strong, pine-forward taste reminiscent of a Christmas tree, so we scaled back the juniper and emphasized citrus and lavender notes instead. The result is a smooth, versatile gin that mixes exceptionally well in a variety of cocktails. A heavy juniper presence can sometimes overpower other ingredients, limiting a gin’s ability to shine in creative drinks, so we intentionally kept the profile light and adaptable.

One distinctive feature of our packaging is the anchor emblem on the neck of the bottle, which we trademarked as a unique brand signature. Additionally, on the side of the bottle, there’s an inscription that marks the different stages as you drink—Full Tide, Half Tide, and Hard Aground—adding an engaging element to the experience. These thoughtful details not only make the bottle stand out on the shelf but also encourage people to pick it up and give it a try.

When we first launched the gin, we approached it with a "let's see how it does" mindset. To our delight, not only did people buy it once, but they kept coming back for more. Seeing the consistent reorders, we decided to enter it into the John Barleycorn Awards on a whim. Since then, it has won multiple international awards—not just at John Barleycorn but also at the PROOF Awards, where it earned a perfect 100-point score and two gold medals in the Spirits Awards.

As for the taste, our gin contains about 65% juniper, but the citrus and lavender elements round it out beautifully, making it incredibly smooth and easy to drink. Many visitors to our tasting room tell us they haven’t touched gin since college—often because they had one too many bad experiences with it. But after trying ours, they’re pleasantly surprised, saying it doesn’t have that harsh, overpowering pine flavor they once associated with gin. It’s approachable, refined, and appealing to both casual drinkers and serious gin enthusiasts who might be looking for something beyond the traditional, juniper-dominant styles.

Your product line includes a variety of spirits, such as Calcutta Big Bite Rums and Frying Pan Shoals Bourbon. What inspired the creation of these distinct spirits, and how do they capture the essence of the Cape Fear region?

Our location is quite unique within North America, particularly in the eastern United States. We’re positioned halfway between Miami and New York, in an area with a rich maritime history. This region has long been recognized as North Carolina’s state port, and Cape Fear itself has an intriguing backstory. The name “Cape Fear” originates from the treacherous sandbar extending 34 miles offshore to the Frying Pan Shoals. This sandbar is part of the infamous “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” where countless ships have met their fate. Many vessels, unaware of the hidden shoals, would run aground and sink, leading to the ominous name.

The Coast Guard eventually installed a light tower offshore to warn incoming ships of the danger. However, before such navigational aids, pirates—most famously Blackbeard—would take advantage of the situation. They reportedly set torches along the sandbars to mimic the lights of a coastal town, luring unsuspecting ships toward disaster. Once the ships wrecked, the pirates would raid them. The region’s history is deeply tied to these maritime legends, making it a place of fascination for those who appreciate nautical heritage.

In keeping with this coastal legacy, we’ve named our products to reflect the Cape Fear region’s maritime culture. One of our spirits, Frying Pan Shoals Bourbon, takes its name from the offshore light tower. Another key brand, Calcutta Big Bite, ties into the international fishing community. Calcutta is a well-known brand in the world of fishing, specializing in rods, reels, sunglasses, coolers, and apparel. Their logo, a skeleton biting a fish, pays homage to their origins—selling ballyhoo, a baitfish, to English anglers.

When Calcutta approached us about a collaboration, we developed the Calcutta Big Bite Rum series, inspired by some of the most iconic fishing destinations in North America. Each flavor is carefully crafted to reflect the essence of these locations.

Cabo Jalapeño: Inspired by Cabo San Lucas, a renowned fishing hub, we infused this rum with jalapeño for a bold, spicy kick.

Classic Caribbean Spice: Representing the diverse flavors of the Caribbean, this blend features clove, cinnamon, butterscotch, and coconut.

Key Lime: Paying tribute to Key West, Florida, this variation incorporates key lime, brown sugar, vanilla, and macadamia nuts, evoking the flavors of the region.

Coquito Coconut: Modeled after Costa Rica’s beloved coquito, this rum captures the essence of the country’s famous coconut-based holiday drink.

Our approach to flavor development has been well received, earning us several prestigious accolades. We were honored with the SIP Awards' Innovation Award of the Year, named North Carolina’ Rum Brown Producer of the Year, and secured seven additional gold medals for our spirits. These achievements reaffirm our commitment to crafting high-quality, uniquely inspired spirits that celebrate both coastal heritage and exceptional craftsmanship.

Cape Fear Distillery is dedicated to environmental conservation through its Conservation Foundation. Can you discuss some of the key initiatives the foundation supports and how they align with your company’s values?

Growing up on the coast, I developed a deep connection to the water from an early age. Throughout high school and college, I was a licensed professional captain, running an offshore fishing charter business. My entire life has revolved around the ocean—surfing, crabbing, and exploring the coastal waters of the Cape Fear region. This lifelong bond with the sea has also made me keenly aware of the diverse communities along the coast, and many of their distinct needs. 

With this in mind, we created GameFish Vodka, a brand designed to resonate with fishermen and ocean enthusiasts. To bring this vision to life, we partnered with Steve Goione, an internationally renowned marine wildlife artist, often compared to Guy Harvey. Though his work is recognized worldwide, Steve is a local resident of the Cape Fear region, making this collaboration even more meaningful.

Beyond creating a product line that celebrates game fishing, we established the Cape Fear Distillery Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting ecological and community initiatives along the coast. Through this foundation, we contribute to organizations such as:

The OCEARCH Foundation – Advancing research and conservation efforts for marine life.

The Southern Kingfish Association – Supporting sustainable fishing practices.The Billfish Foundation – The world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to billfish conservation.

The Helen Keller Foundation – Funding research and programs that support those with visual and hearing impairments.

The Bald Head Island Conservancy – Protecting and preserving North Carolina’s coastal ecosystems.

Reelin’ for Research – One of North Carolina’s largest fishing tournaments, with proceeds benefiting childhood cancer research.

In addition, we launched Billfish Tequila, featuring label artwork by Steve Goione. With this product, we’ve partnered directly with The Billfish Foundation, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, donating a percentage of sales to support their global efforts in billfish conservation.

Through these initiatives, we aim to give back to the coastal communities and ecosystems that have given so much to us.

Visitors to the distillery can explore the Cape Fear River to learn about its history, wildlife, and ecology. How does the distillery integrate local heritage and environmental education into its tours and community engagement efforts?

Our local heritage is deeply tied to the sea, inland waterways and rivers, and the coastal way of life. At our property, we offer guided tours where we discuss the various conservation initiatives we support. The Cape Fear River, located just half a mile from us, plays a vital role in the region’s ecosystem. As part of our tours, we take visitors through the surrounding saltbox structures and discuss the local fisheries, the rich fishing traditions of the Cape Fear region, and the importance of sustainable practices.

Additionally, we have a second location on Bald Head Island, where we partner with the Bald Head Island Conservancy to support loggerhead sea turtle conservation. This initiative focuses on protecting nesting sites and ensuring the successful hatching and migration of these incredible marine creatures.

Beyond marine conservation, we are also involved in preserving the area's maritime forest, one of the largest intact maritime forests on the East Coast. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, this forest is permanently protected, ensuring it will never be developed or disturbed. We take great pride in contributing to and educating others about these vital ecological efforts, reinforcing our commitment to the environment and our coastal heritage.

The craft beverage industry has seen significant growth and evolving consumer preferences in recent years. How do you see the future of the wine and spirits industry shaping up, and what trends do you think will have the biggest impact on small, independent distilleries and vineyards?

Distributing spirits and wine across the 50 states in the U.S. is much like trying to enter 50 different countries, as each state has its own set of regulations and distribution requirements. For small distilleries and wineries, this presents a significant challenge, especially when competing with well-established brands that have been entrenched in the market for generations. However, one major advantage we have today is the shifting preferences of consumers—people are increasingly looking for unique, high-quality alternatives to ubiquitous brands, and they want to support small businesses.

When we’re fortunate enough to secure distribution in a new state, we are often well received by consumers who appreciate craft spirits. Unlike large corporations, we don’t need to sell at the same massive scale to remain sustainable, but expansion still requires significant capital, time, and persistence. The reality is that for small distilleries and wineries, building a distribution network is a slow and resource-intensive process.

That’s why many craft distilleries succeed by focusing on their local footprint—leveraging on-site sales to visitors who tour the distillery. At our property, we’ve created an immersive experience that goes beyond spirits. We offer 26 charming cottages for overnight stays, a restaurant, an event center, a spa, a gift shop, and a zoological garden, providing multiple reasons for guests to visit and engage with our brand. This diversified approach has been instrumental in our long-term success over the past decade, allowing us to build a strong, loyal customer base.

For newer craft brands that lack these additional revenue streams, breaking into the market can be even more challenging. Established brands have the advantage of being deeply embedded in distribution networks, making it harder for independent distilleries to gain traction. However, as consumer demand continues to evolve, there is a growing opportunity for craft producers who can offer distinctive, high-quality products backed by authentic storytelling and unique experiences.

If you would like to find out more about Cape Fear Distillery, please visit https://www.capefeardistillery.com/ and https://www.capefearwinery.com/