Old Nick Williams Co.
About the Distillery
Old Nick Williams Co. is a family-owned distillery in North Carolina with historic roots dating back to 1768 and a modern revival started in 2014. Here you encounter a pre-prohibition 'Carolina' whisky recipe, aged bourbon and a high-rye addition, while the distillery offers tours and a farm bar. The combination of local sourcing and family tradition makes the place interesting for whisky enthusiasts.
History
The history of Old Nick Williams Co. begins in 1768, when Joseph Williams established Williams Distillery in the area that is today Lewisville, North Carolina. Through the 1800s and 1900s the family continued the production; in the late 1800s and early 1900s Nicholas Glen Williams (Glen) and his work the "Old Nick" brand brought it to the world, including participation at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and later in Paris. In 1902 Glen engaged in local political work to accommodate a new state regulation of whiskey production. After Glen Williams' death in 1913 and the advent of Prohibition, the distillery was closed and the remains destroyed. Several generations later the family found documents and some bottles, and in 2014 two brothers, Van and John Williams, together with their sons decided to revive the distillery's traditions and products.
Raw Materials and Production
ONW Carolina Whiskey is produced according to the family's pre-prohibition recipe and is made from locally grown grains: corn, wheat and malted barley. The production is marketed as handmade in small batches. Historically Glen Williams also worked with purchasing raw whisky from local facilities to mature and refine it further, a practice that influences the company's approach to finishing and aging. For the Rye product the mash bill is documented as 95% rye, which is a concrete expression of raw material choice. There are no detailed public details about distillation equipment, number of stills, or fermentation times in the available texts.
Aging and Cask Types
The Bourbon edition is listed as barrel-aged for at least 24 months. Coattail® Cinnamon Whiskey is an example of a finishing practice: here you start with ONW Carolina Whiskey and age/finish with oak chips and natural cinnamon sticks without added sugar or artificial colors. The company also reuses its own bourbon casks for other spirit products (documented for their Jamerican® Aged Rum), which shows a practice of using bourbon casks for secondary aging and experimentation.
The Whiskies
The range spans from the historic ONW Carolina Whiskey — produced according to the family recipe — to an aged Straight Bourbon and a newer Zeb’s® Rye (95% rye mash bill). In addition to these core lines, the distillery also offers a flavored/finishing variant (Coattail® Cinnamon Whiskey) where cinnamon and oak chips are used for the finish. The products are sold at the distillery and through North Carolina ABC stores; part of the philosophy is to combine the family's heritage with craft production in small batches.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Age | Barrel and Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONW Carolina Whiskey | Carolina Whiskey (pre-prohibition recipe) | A handcrafted small-batch whisky based on a pre-prohibition Williams family recipe. Made from locally grown grains and presented as 'fresh', aromatic and full-bodied with a warm, bright finish.; Nose: Aromatic (product metadata indicates 'Aromatic'); Palate: Full bodied (product metadata indicates 'Full Bodied'); Finish: Warm, Bright Finish (product metadata indicates this) | Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and in North Carolina ABC stores | |||
| ONW Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Straight Bourbon | Minimum 24 months | Barrel; finish: Barrel-aged minimum 24 months | A bourbon edition of ONW, where the core text states that the product is barrel-aged for at least 24 months. It is part of the distillery's aged range. | Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and in North Carolina ABC stores | |
| Coattail® Cinnamon Whiskey | Flavored/Finished whiskey | 42.5 % | Finish with oak chips and cinnamon sticks; finish: Aged/finished with wood chips and natural cinnamon sticks; no added sugar or artificial colors | Starts with ONW Carolina Whiskey as the base and is then aged/finished with oak chips and natural cinnamon sticks. The bottle is labeled as free from added sugars and artificial colors.; Nose: Cinnamon and natural flavors (product metadata); Palate: Smooth finish with a subtle hint of cinnamon; Finish: Subtle cinnamon note (product metadata) | Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and in North Carolina ABC stores | |
| Zeb’s® Rye Whiskey | American Straight Rye Whiskey | 45 % | A newer addition to the ONW range; product text indicates a 95% rye mash bill and that the whiskey is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). | Current; Core range; Available at the distillery and in North Carolina ABC stores |
The Whiskies' Style and Flavor Profile
Across the products, three throughlines are highlighted: an aromatic profile and freshness (noted for Carolina Whiskey), a full body with a warm, bright finish (also noted for Carolina Whiskey), and a spicy element in the form of cinnamon in Coattail®. These traits are repeated in product metadata and descriptions, forming the overall impression of the range.
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery is open for visits and offers guided tours and a farm bar. Some tours are offered by appointment (Wednesday and Thursday), while Friday and Saturday tours run on the hour from 11:00 to 17:00. The bar's opening hours vary on weekends and Sunday. Visiting requires age verification, and part of the sales takes place via on-site pickup or through local North Carolina ABC stores.
The stated hours are Monday & Tuesday: Closed. Wednesday: Tours by appointment (bar closed). Thursday: Tours by appointment; bar open 17:30–20:00. Friday: Tours on the hour from 11:00–17:00; bar open 17:30–21:00. Saturday: Tours on the hour from 11:00–17:00; bar open 11:00–21:00. Sunday: Tours closed; bar open 13:00–18:00.
Philosophy and Craft
The company emphasizes the family's history and aims to continue a pre-prohibition recipe in modern production. There is a focus on craftsmanship, small-batch production and delivering a product that the family believes lives up to the historical standards. The revival from 2014 is built on a desire to reopen and share the family's distilling traditions.