Brian and Brigid Fackrell

LOCAL SPIRITS WITH A SOUTHERN CHARM

story by NAKEISHA DAWSON-THOMPSON 
photos by PAUL NURNBERG

Brian and Brigid Fackrell are the owners of Beaufort’s very own distillery. RLB Distillery, DBA Rotten Little Bastard Distillery, was opened in June 2020 during a national pandemic and has thrived ever since.

Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Brian worked as a police officer on and off for six years before he changed professions. He then began his career as a licensed electrician for the biggest non-union contractor in the U.S., which offered classes for licensure as an electrician. He is one of five children raised by a single mother. Brian states, “Growing up, I was the mischievous kid, which is where the company’s name was derived.”

Brigid is originally from Maryland and attended Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, WV. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in history and desired to be a librarian. After learning that she’d be required to get more schooling, she changed her mind. Brigid decided to move to Las Vegas shortly after college.

In 1998, they met in Las Vegas at a medieval recreation group meeting called the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Brigid recalls Brian approaching her to ensure she felt welcomed; the rest is history. Brian later informs her that his mother pushed him to “go and talk to the new girl.” Brigid and Brian married in 1998. They were gifted with two sons: Ethan and Quinn. Ethan, their eldest son, passed away suddenly in 2014, and Quinn (21) attends Clemson University.

Seeking a different environment to raise their children, the couple moved to Beaufort, SC, in 2003. They desired to move closer to the ocean. Brigid worked for a cabinet company in Las Vegas that transferred her to their Beaufort location. She remained with the company until 2011 when she began working for Mims, McDuff & Wood Accounting firm as the payroll processor for their clients. Brian recalls looking for employment after they arrived in Beaufort and finding an ad for an electrician with Premiere Electric of the Lowcountry. Needless to say, Brian was hired quickly for extensive work experience and knowledge. Brian is now the owner of Premier Electric of Beaufort, formerly known as Premier Electric of the Lowcountry, and is well-known in Beaufort as “Brian, the electrician.”

In 2015, Brian had the desire to open a distillery. He said to his wife, “Let’s open a craft distillery.” Brigid states her initial reaction was, “Can we do that? What do you know about a distillery?” That desire led him to pursue a certification in distilling. Brian knew he needed to learn the craft of the business, as “distilled spirits are the second highest regulated industry in the US, next to Schedule III Narcotics.” Brian attended Distillery University online because he felt he lacked the “hands-on” experience he needed. He then registered and attended Moonshine University in 2016 and obtained his certification. Brian states he learned from some of the biggest names in the industry, Pete Cramer and Randy Allender, at Moonshine University, which teaches you how to open a successful distillery. Learning from some of the “best” in the industry boosted Brian’s confidence and his liquor-making skills.

After completing his education, and researching the right loans and the perfect building for a few years, RLB Distillery opened in June 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. They are located at 2139 Boundary St, Suite 102, where the old K-Mart shopping center was located.

Brian exclaims, “The secret to liquor is technique, making it more than what it’s made of!” Their process for creating such smooth and distinct-tasting liquor is no secret. Brian and Brigid are not only the founders of RLB Distillery, but Brian also performs the entire distillery process from start to finish. Brigid assists in the distillery with grinding grains, making gin, bottling, and completing the paperwork (of which there is a lot!). His process is completely performed by hand. They do not use a computerized system, which sets them apart.

Making RLB Distillery Spirits
1. Starts making mash, grinding grains (All grains are local from SC).
2. Sets up the little still to make gin and grinds corn before customers arrive.
3. Brings the mash up to the correct temperature.
4. Starts the big still (takes an hour to warm up).
5. Checks all the heads to know when to start collecting parts.

“We grind it, cook it, ferment it, distill it, age it, proof it, bottle it by hand.”

Brian and Brigid are proud of their “mom and pop” storefront. Currently, they distribute their spirits in SC and are working on distribution in Georgia. The following local businesses carry their spirits: Bill’s Liquor, Herms (located in Port Royal), Saltus, and Rosie’s. All of their spirits have a local “spirits” name.

RLB Distillery currently makes and sells:
• St. Helena ’Shine Moonshine
• King Tide Vodka
• Coosa Cut Bourbon (takes two years in a barrel to age, just opened the 1st bottle of 100% Beaufort-made Bourbon)
• Spanish Moss Gin
• Boundary Street Rum (regular and aged)
• His Madness EJ McCole American Whiskey (named after a friend, the Fackrell’s son, and Brigid’s maternal grandfather). They open one barrel a year on St. Patrick’s Day.

RLB Distillery provides tasting tours with brand ambassadors that usually last 30-45 minutes. Cocktails are available for those who don’t want to drink liquor straight. RLB Distillery does not currently offer food, but customers are welcome to bring it in. If you’re interested in booking a tour, visit their website, www.rottenlittlebastarddistillery.com, or call (843) 379-5252 to schedule an appointment. All group tours require a reservation.

Since its opening, RLB Distillery has won several awards for its spirits:
2021
Boundary Street Rum – 3rd place (Bronze) from Distillery University
Spanish Moss Gin – Platinum from Las Vegas Global Spirits Awards

2022
King Tide Vodka – Silver from American Distilling Institute International Spirits Awards
Spanish Moss Gin – Silver from American Distilling Institute International Spirits Awards
Boundary Street Rum – Bronze from American Distilling Institute International Spirits Awards

Brigid and Brian have big plans for the future of RLB Distillery. Their future goal is to grow the business, so they both can be full-time business owners. As they continue to move toward this goal, they envision becoming more widespread in their distribution and increasing their brand locally and nationally.