CHAPEL HILL, N.C., September 8, 2026 — UNC Athletics and North Carolina-based Cape Fear Distillery have teamed up to launch the University’s first officially licensed line of Tar Heel-branded spirits with the Spirit of Carolina Collection, a new product lineup celebrating University of North Carolina traditions and fan culture.

Developed through a collaboration with the University’s licensing and multimedia partner, Learfield, the Spirit of Carolina Collection will feature three premium spirits and a coconut cream carrying distinctive Tar Heel-inspired branding:

• Chapel Thrill Vodka – inspired by the town’s energy, celebrating the spirit, pride, and togetherness of being a Tar Heel and the moments that make gamedays unforgettable.
• Old East Whiskey – named for UNC’s Old East residence hall, a historic symbol of the University’s origins and the traditions that still shape campus today.
• Rams Head Silver Rum – created to celebrate Carolina’s iconic ram mascot.
• Best Blue Coconut Cream – inspired by the color that represents decades of athletic excellence, defining moments, and a legacy that stretches across generations, carrying more history, prestige, and winning tradition than any other shade of blue.

The collection will officially launch the weekend of September 12 in conjunction with UNC Football’s home opener against ETSU at Kenan Stadium.

The Spirit of Carolina collection was created to provide North Carolinians with high-quality products that celebrate Tar Heel pride, while delivering strong value.

“This launch represents an exciting opportunity to expand how our fans engage with the UNC brand, while creating a unique product line that celebrates our traditions and community,” said Rick Barakat, Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer for UNC Athletics. “We are also excited to align with a partner in Cape Fear Distillery and owner Alex Munroe who has a personal connection to UNC and understands the deep love and passion our fans have for Carolina.”

Cape Fear Distillery is owned by Munroe, a 1989 UNC graduate with a degree in journalism whose connection to Carolina helped inspire the co-branded collection. Munroe founded Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery in 2016 in Elizabethtown, North Carolina. He quickly expanded the 13-acre property to include a distillery, and today, the property also has a national award-winning boutique resort with 28 lakeside rooms, zoological garden, restaurant, spa, gift shop, events center, and celebrity art museum.

“As a UNC graduate, bringing the Spirit of Carolina collection to life is especially meaningful,” said Munroe. “My years at UNC provided me incredible memories, lifelong friendships, and a passionate fan community like no other, and that’s what I hope our specially crafted beverage experiences and our new UNC branded spirits can deliver for fellow Tar Heels.”

The Spirit of Carolina collection is the result of a collaborative development process with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), which worked alongside UNC Athletics and Cape Fear Distillery to shape the collection’s identity, packaging, and branding. The partnership will also create additional fan engagement opportunities throughout the coming months.

“This unique collection demonstrates the power of strategic licensing partnerships to extend a university’s brand in authentic and meaningful ways,” said Nicole Armentrout, senior vice president of marketing for CLC. “We are excited to be a part of this innovative brand program to help drive fan connection and engagement.”

The entire collection will be available directly at Cape Fear Distillery testing rooms in Elizabethtown and Bald Head Island and through online sales to states that allow spirits to be shipped to consumers, as well as participating retailers and select area restaurants. Fans will also be able to sample the spirits at Kenan Stadium on football game days, where specialty cocktails featuring products from the collection will be available.

In addition to the new product line, Cape Fear Distillery is a sponsor of UNC Athletics through Tar Heel Sports Properties, the locally based Learfield team representing the University’s athletics multimedia rights.

Additional fan activations and promotional opportunities connected to the Spirit of Carolina collection will be announced throughout the fall.

About Cape Fear Distillery

Cape Fear Distillery has locations in Elizabethtown and Bald Head Island, North Carolina. Its award-winning spirits have earned international recognition for taste and design and are distributed in ten states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on Carnival Cruise Lines. The distillery is based at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery, a boutique resort in Elizabethtown. Cape Fear Distillery and Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery are owned by UNC alumnus, Alex Munroe. www.CapeFearDistillery.com. 

About UNC Athletics

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, offers 28 intercollegiate varsity sports and is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels have won 63 national championships and a total of 301 ACC Championships. The department’s mission: to educate and inspire through athletics.

About CLC

CLC is the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company, representing nearly 800 collegiate brands, including universities, conferences, bowls, the NCAA, the College Football Playoff, the Heisman Trophy, and other top collegiate properties. With a network of over 4,000 licensed manufacturers and relationships with more than 100,000 national, regional, and local retailers nationwide, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver fan connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-driven, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of Learfield, the leading media and technology company powering college athletics.

Media Contacts:

Tammy Purves, CLC, tammy.purves@clc.com, 770-799-3275.