Vetus Distillery, the first craft distillery in downtown Monroe, North Carolina, has announced its official opening. Founded by Kate Kercheva and Diyan Mitev, the distillery brings centuries-old Balkan distilling traditions with a modern touch. The distillery spotlights Eastern European-style brandies, rum, and fruit vodka, all made with local ingredients sourced from their property and nearby farms. The name “Vetus,” Latin for “ancient,” honors ancestral practices while introducing them to a new audience.
Visitors are invited to book a tasting experience at the distillery. For $15 per person, guests can sample up to six spirits and take home a keepsake Bulgarian glass in the 6,500 sq ft distillery, which features a handcrafted wood bar sculpted by the founders themselves. Online shipping of craft spirits is available to most U.S. states at VetusDistillery.com.
A Rich Lineup of Craft Spirits
All Vetus spirits are made in small batches and are free from artificial additives. Barrel-rested brandies will be available in the future. The current portfolio includes:
● Khan Kubrat Fig Brandy (40% ABV): This complex brandy is bottled directly from the still, preserving the freshness and aroma of the fruit.
● Khan Telerik Plum Brandy (40% ABV): A highly popular Eastern European brandy best enjoyed slowly to savor its intricate flavors.
● Khan Tervel Peach Brandy (40% ABV): Seasonal NC/SC peach distillation supports local peach farmers.
● Brandy Scuppernong (40% ABV): Crafted with native NC grapes, lightly oaked to highlight varietal character.
● Brandy Muscat (40% ABV): A Combination of grape and charred oak delivers a sensational tasting experience.
● 681 Vodka (40% ABV): Double-distilled fruit and cane-based vodka through a six-plate copper reflux still.
● Rasate Rum (40% ABV): Pot‑still and column-distilled, ideal neat or in cocktails.
From Bulgaria to North Carolina
Kate grew up in Varna and held a long career in banking, while Diyan is from Bulgaria’s “Valley of Peaches” and owns a successful plumbing business in the Charlotte area. Their shared vision—sparked during a chance meeting on a flight from the U.S. to Bulgaria many years