Western Son Distillery

Western Son Distillery continues to grow on the shores of Lake Ray Roberts

by Wendy Haun

Bottles, with liquids of every color, line the wood-paneled walls, along with various articles of clothing. T-shirts. Sweatshirts. Beanie caps. Old-fashioned bloomers.

Wait. What?

Yes, as you step into the Retail Center of Western Son, a vodka distillery located in Pilot Point in northern Denton County, you are immediately greeted with a view of a pair of pink ruffled bloomers, a cheeky nod to what came before they started distilling vodka on the premises. The 30,000-square-foot building is known to locals as the “Old Panty Factory” and was a manufacturing location for Russell-Newman, which was founded in Denton in 1939, producing women’s lingerie and sleepwear. According to Denton County Office of History & Culture, the company expanded to a third operational location in Pilot Point in 1953, with their products attracting the attention of national brands Playtex and JC Penney’s.

Following Russell-Newman’s shuttering in 2011, Western Son was at the point where they had outgrown their original location and were ready to find a new base of operations.

“When [Western Son’s founders] came to Pilot Point, they saw this old manufacturing company that had this history and a really cool story, but first and foremost, they had the space,” said Erin King, Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Western Son. “We were able to bring something to the community that didn’t exist, and it all fell into place.”

Every spirit on Western Son’s line is award-winning.

Photos courtesy Wendy Haun, City of Pilot Point

From humble beginnings in a Carrolton factory with just five employees, the brand has experienced tremendous growth, now employing 200 people. That’s not all that has grown: they are one of the fastest-growing spirit brands in the United States, with double-digit growth the last five years. Their line of vodka has expanded beyond its original 80-proof vodka to include eight flavored vodkas, gin, bourbon, ready-to-pour craft cocktails and spiked popsicles. All these creations are the brainchild of Western Son master distiller Vinny Messina, who will become a familiar face for anyone who wants to experience one of their Saturday tastings and tours.

“Our master distiller Vinny Messina has a passion to create something unique,” King said. “Having him in-house is a real benefit because we can do the smaller, limited-edition products.”

Go behind the scenes with a tour offered by the Master Distiller Vinny Messina. Taking visitors through the history and the making of their vodka, from the mashing to copper pot distillation and bottling.

Photos courtesy Wendy Haun, City of Pilot Point

Despite the growth in both sales and the spirit line, the quality of Western Son’s products has never waned. Every single vodka in the Western Son line has won awards, including their original vodka, which received 95 points in the 2017 World Spirits Competition from Cigar Wine and Spirits. If you don’t have time for a tour, their Hospitality Center, which serves delicious cocktails from the Western Son line, is open Saturday afternoons. The word is getting around, as their biggest growth in the past year was requests from restaurants and bars to carry their products.

“They want brands that people love and want,” King said. “This brand was built on hard-working, independent thinkers and we like to associate our customer with that. There’s an Americana aspect to the trailblazing characteristic associated with our brand. We’re a brand that people love. If people know Western Son, they love us.

DON’T MISS

Visit Pilot Point visitpilotpoint.org

Western Son Distillery 217 W Division Street Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 324-0008 Retail open Thur-Fri, 1-5 pm; Tours Saturday at 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm westernsondistillery.com

Lone Star Lodge 2200 W FM1192 Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 686-0262 Lonestar-lodge.com

Leo’s Pizzeria 212 S Washington St Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 514-6108 Leospizzeria.org

Powerhouse Burger 108 N Washington Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 202-9226