Conecuh Ridge Distillery producer of Clyde May’s Alabama-style whiskey plans an initial investment of $13.6 million to consolidate operations in Troy, Alabama. The company will build an artisan distillery, rack houses and a bottling hub, as well as a tasting experience center designed to attract tourists.

“Today’s announcement affirms that our state’s sound business climate is a positive attraction for companies looking to find a home. We are glad Conecuh Ridge Distillery has chosen Troy for their operations center,” Governor Kay Ivey said.

“In addition to the 50 jobs being created, we are excited about the potential economic impact this company will have in Pike County as this becomes a tourist destination for the official spirit of Alabama,” she added.

The company’s plans to consolidate its operations in Pike County represent a homecoming of sorts for the brand, which is named for Clyde May, a celebrated moonshiner who began making his high-quality whiskey in the area back in 1946.

“We continuously market our Clyde May’s brand in the spirit of our founder, Clyde May,” President & CEO of Conecuh Ridge Distillery Roy Danis said. “His values of quality, integrity and craftsmanship are the building blocks of our company today.

“Coming home to Troy, Alabama, where the brand got its start, reinforces these values and makes all of us who work for this great brand so very proud,” he added.

The Long Island, New York-based company supplies its products throughout the United States and will make the Troy facility its distilling and bottling headquarters, according to Vince Perez, a Project Manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce who supported the recruitment of what was codenamed “Project Clearwater.”

One of the objectives of Conecuh Ridge Distillery’s project was to develop an artisan distillery in Alabama so that fans and connoisseurs of the company’s products could experience the craftsmanship that goes into making Clyde May whiskey, Perez said.