Asheville’s Eda Rhyne Distilling Co. Faces Challenges but Stays Hopeful After Flood Damage
Asheville, N.C. – The heart of Biltmore Village, the Eda Rhyne Distilling Company, has recently faced a daunting challenge as the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on their beloved distillery. Co-Founder Rhett Murphy expressed that their losses are significant, estimating it to be “close to a million dollars” as they cope with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Community First
Despite the overwhelming loss, Murphy and his partner, Chris Bower, are focusing on what truly matters: the safety and well-being of their 19 dedicated employees and the loyal customers who have supported their craft.
“It’s not about the money for us,” Murphy stated with a sense of warmth. “We’re just grateful that our people are okay. This place feels like family; we’ve built a neighborhood here.”
Celebrating Unique Southern Spirits
The distillery is known for producing over 10 unique spirits, each infused with the rich flavors of the Appalachian region. From their locally celebrated Appalachian Fernet, which recently took home the coveted title of ‘Drink Winner’ at Garden & Gun’s prestigious ‘Made in the South’ awards, to their other artisanal creations, Murphy and Bower have always aimed to offer something special. “We want to bring people something that’s delicious and interesting,” Bower shared, reflecting on their mission.
Caroline Clements, an editor at Garden & Gun, emphasized the importance of storytelling in their spirits. “The inspiration behind the Appalachian Fernet, especially how they forage for many ingredients, highlights the essence of the region beautifully,” she said.
Rising from the Ruins
As the rain poured down and the floodwaters rose, Murphy and Bower faced a heartbreaking reality: they had doubled their production in anticipation, only to see it all washed away. “It feels like a bomb went off here,” Murphy lamented. “We had about 1,000 gallons of liquor pouring out of our tanks, and it filled the room like toxic sludge.”
Despite the dire circumstances, both founders exuded optimism. “We’re lucky in some aspects. We know we’ll bounce back,” Murphy reassured. The path to recovery, however, includes assessing the damage, cleaning up mud-caked spirits, and determining which barrels might still hold aging liquor fit for consumption.
Reopening Plans
While the tasting room, described by Bower as the “community heart” of their operation, is currently closed, the duo is committed to reopening, though there’s no definitive timeline just yet. “The doors will reopen,” they repeated in unison, solidifying their resolve to return stronger than before.
For now, their Weaverville location, known as Eda’s Hide-A-Way, remains open and serves as a temporary home for their barrel aging operations. Spirits are still available for purchase there, even while the main production facility is undergoing repairs.
Looking Ahead
As the community rallies around Eda Rhyne, Murphy and Bower are focusing on “little victories” each day. “We just got a toilet put back in today, and honestly? I feel great about that,” Murphy laughed, lightening the mood in the face of adversity.
As they navigate through recovery, the Eda Rhyne team is also involved in a relief wine box sale to support their endeavors and reconnect with patrons. “We’re excited for what’s next,” Murphy said with a hopeful smile.
Even in difficult times, it’s clear that the spirit of Eda Rhyne is unyielding, with a strong commitment to their community, their craft, and their passion for bringing joy through innovative Southern spirits.
