On Monday, Sept. 22, the NC Chamber announced the 15 finalists for its annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” online competition.
Southern Pines based distillery Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko. (BHAWK) has made it to the final round of voting beating out a record-setting 188 nominees.
BHAWK has been selected as one of five finalists in the "Small Business” category for their Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream.
Advertised by the contest as “America's first and only Pistachio Bourbon Cream,” its recipe was developed by Fort Bragg retirees, Army Sgt. Maj. Brad Halling and his wife Army Col. Jess Halling, and was inspired by a pistachio festival Jess attended in Bronte, Sicily at the conclusion of a special operations deployment she was on a Sigonella Navy Base Sicily in fall of 2012.
The Hallings developed the Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream from scratch while planning BHAWK, and it includes bourbon, natural cream, light coloring and a natural nut free pistachio flavor developed by Mother Murphy’s – a family-owned flavoring company in Greensboro, N.C. Mother Murphy’s developed the pistachio flavor for the Hallings, complimentary, because they are N.C. Veterans. Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon Cream is produced in Southern Pines at BHAWK by Brad and his production team consisting of all military Veterans.
This is the sixth year that the NC Chamber has held the public-driven contest, which spotlights North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry—an industry that generates more than 13.3% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state’s workforce.
“Congratulations to this year’s Coolest Thing Made in NC finalists,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido in a press release. “The contest highlights the pride North Carolinians have in the products built right here at home. With more than 25,500 votes cast already, it’s clear our state takes seriously the saying: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina. This competition is more than a contest — it’s a tribute to the manufacturers who have anchored our economy for over a century.”
You can go to coolestthingmadeinnc.com to vote for the coolest thing made in NC. The last day to vote is Thursday, Sept. 25. The three winning products will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 2, the day before National Manufacturing Day.
Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025. Photo provided by Faith Hatton. For Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were
The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to hel
Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo
