The Firefly Story

The first Firefly Distillery, just 30 minutes outside of Charleston, SC. was the birthplace of Firefly Spirits. It is where the founders, Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt, came up with the crazy idea to build a distillery in the ‘middle of nowhere,’ and make the world’s first Sweet Tea Vodka. That crazy idea was a destination known for its genuine southern hospitality, fine quality spirits and innovation.

Firefly Distillery was founded by Jim Irvin & Scott Newitt. Jim is a scientist. Scott is a visionary. Jim had a winery. Scott was in the wine business. That’s how they met, became friends and soon realized they both shared a crazy idea to build a distillery; something that proved to be much easier said than done.

It’s all legal and it always has been at Firefly. As the company was being formed, Jim and Scott wanted to avoid expensive licensing fees, not to mention confrontations with “The Law.” So they did their own lobbying and got a bill passed into state law that made it affordable and legal to distill, sample and purchase bottled spirits at a distillery in South Carolina.* This historic event opened the opportunity for Firefly to establish their homeplace distillery and grow Firefly into a nationally recognized all-American spirit brand.

Scott & Jim did not have a big budget to buy a still so they built their own from scratch. It was a 55 gallon stainless steel tank on top of a propane burner that is now on display in their Tasting Room. They got it fired up and began distilling. First they made Muscadine vodka, distilled from Jim’s grapes. Scott tells it, “We started with the grapes and we made grappa. But grappa tastes like grappa and I had to sell the stuff so we wanted to come up with something else. Then we made The Original Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, which is now our flagship brand.

The Strawberry Moonshine is South Carolina sweet but it packs a punch so don’t be fooled by its pretty package.

Unique vodka that is infused with tea leaves.

Detailed Description

Firefly Original Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka is the first sweet tea vodka. It started at the Firefly Distillery on Wadmalaw Island, SC. It is made with all-natural ingredients with tea from a plantation just down the road & Louisiana sugarcane. Mix it with lemonade or water for a true southern sweet tea cocktail.

Firefly Distillery Original Sweet Tea Vodka Tasting Notes

Nose: Herbal aromas on nose.

Palate: Taste like sweet tea.

Finish: Sweeter kick on finish.

Distillery Information

Firefly Distillery was founded by Jim Irvin (a graduate from Vanderbilt University in chemistry) and Scott Newitt (a graduate of Louisiana State University) in 2008. The roots of the distillery are in Jim Irvin's entrance to the wine business with muscadine grapes in 2000. Meeting Newitt--then a liquor distributor--they entered the spirits industry with a small still and the idea for a sweet tea vodka in 2008.

Firefly Apple Pie Moonshine is a delightful blend of crisp apple cider and smooth moonshine, infused with warm cinnamon and hints of vanilla. This Southern favorite captures the essence of homemade apple pie, delivering a sweet and spicy flavor that's perfect for sipping neat or mixing into cocktails. It's a true taste of the American South, best enjoyed with friends and good times.