BENNIE LLOYD VODKA

Inspired by the moonshine runners of old, Bennie Lloyd is a brand that pays homage to those that sought to meet ends, capitalizing on the American dream by celebrating 25 years of the end of prohibition.  Legal distilling was still out of reach for thousands that enjoyed their favorite libation, created by their own hands; and taxation was a dirty word for distillation purists. 

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Therefore, million-dollar dreams with million-dollar success in spirits wasn’t everyone’s story.   

Many southerners and non-well-to-do folks sought to use spirits as a means to an end.  Not as willful lawbreakers, but to feed children and families at a time when success was limited to only the few that were well-connected and privileged.

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This is a snapshot story of the lives of wife Bennie and husband Lloyd.  For a married couple, in the  1950’s & 60’s, finding ways to earn an extra American dollar was few and far between.  What better way to do it than the lucrative, underground art of shine running! Alcohol was legal to sell then, of course, but only to those with a license to do so! 

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“Small Town” South Carolina was a thriving community, with no shortage of individuals that would indulge in the capturing of their favorite moonshine. 

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Enter Bennie and Lloyd – a resourceful couple who weren’t distillers or wine connoisseurs. Nor was Bennie even a drinker! They were, however, a resilient couple that decided to risk the fray of running afoul of the law by creating their own, signature blend of the liquid gold by infusing local black cherries into the mix.  Quiet as kept, run afoul they did on occasion, landing them in shallow waters; but small towns tended to do small-town things with no major consequence, fortunately, in the 1960's south.

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Dollar shots, 50 cent shots and 25 cent shots was the order of the day.  Pour and sit, nursing and savoring the moment as their short-term visitors enjoyed the treat they afforded themselves. Images of simpler times - no televisions and friendly banter filled the time. A warm summer dusk greeted them as they parted the small bungalow after enjoying their drink, anticipating their return the next day.    

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Bennie & Lloyd’s moonshine was a delicious blend of local corn liquor mixed with cherries, that upon completion of empty mason jars and serving as the resident bottle washer, “Little Lloyd”, their son performed the equivalent of licking the spoon after mixing cake batter.  Occasionally and secretly sipping the depleted corners before performing his duty, made for his own fitting tax for his work!  Needless to say, we’re sure he slept well after putting in a hard day!

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This unassuming trio was able to deliver their custom brew to loyal customers, cleansing the pallets of many local family and friends, making their ends meet as a result and keeping smiles on many faces for a generation.

 

Years later, their grandson - wholly unaware of these goings-on, was enlightened by his father and seasoned bottle washer  - “Little Lloyd”, Larry about the “Family Business”.  Larry never chose to continue the tradition because it was never really a “business”, but only a means to an end. Their grandson never knew his spry and fiery grand-parents!  Lloyd passed away in 1975 and Bennie continued to be a doting mother and grand-mother, awash in her faith until she, herself, was called home in 2002 at the age of 93.

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In 2023, the grandson Kevin Wright who is now the Founder of Wright Brand Spirits, LLC and Bennie Lloyd Premium Vodka, was completely taken aback by this story of his grandparents! So much so, Bennie Lloyd is the obvious culmination of bringing this story to life and realizing a dream they never had! Owning a Vodka brand. In 2023, he began his research in sourcing the best in goods, partnerships and conceptualizing the commercial viability of a vodka brand. 

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Bennie Lloyd Premium Vodka launched in July 2025 as a craft vodka brand and is distributed by Republic National Distributing Company in the Georgia market.  Today we are continuing to grow and are positioning ourselves to be a classic offering for many years to come with our Bennie Lloyd - Premium Original and Black Cherry Flavored Vodka! Thanks to Bennie, Lloyd and “Little Lloyd” Larry. 

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For the love and honor of Bennie & Lloyd – Raise a glass of Bennie Lloyd Premium Vodka and Enjoy Responsibly!