TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The long-awaited Conecuh Ridge Distillery in Troy is finally nearing its grand opening. 

After years of planning and construction, the new Conecuh Ridge Distillery, home of Clyde May’s Whiskey, is on track to become a major addition to Troy’s tourism landscape. L.C. May, the grandson of Clyde May and sales manager for Clyde May’s Whiskey, says the long construction process is worth the wait. 

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” May said. “Patience is virtue. We made a commitment to the city of Troy and to the state of Alabama when we started this project. From the start, we wanted this facility to be a spectacle. 

“It’s not going to be like anything else in the state of Alabama. It’s going to be something that the whole state of Alabama can be proud of.”

One of the biggest milestones for the distillery was the installation of the giant 30-foot still.  

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“For me, this is a red-letter day,” said SVP Commercial Strategist David Ballew. “When a still gets dropped in, it makes everything seem real. It’s the focal point of a distillery, from a beauty standpoint. It’s the kind of thing that people want to see.” 

The still’s installation required major precision as the piece was lowered into the Distillery’s Still House through the roof via crane and a 4′ x 11′ opening with an approximate six-inch clearance on each side.

Conecuh Ridge will not only bottle and distill; the facility also aims to be a tourism hub with a restaurant, cocktail bar, and even a space for live performances. 

May believes his grandfather would be proud of the distillery’s chance to positively impact the local area.

“He was big on doing whatever it took to provide for his family and community. I think he’d be very proud of that. He’d be proud of not only the legacy of his whisky making, but the legacy of the values he stood by. 

He was all about being a man of your word and working hard.” 

May expects the distillery to be open to the public by early 2026. The Distillery is located at 248 Clyde May Way in Troy, off Trojan Way.