Conecuh Ridge Distillery plans to build an $13.5 million artisan distillery, rack houses and a bottling hub in Troy.

The makers of Clyde May craft whiskey also plan a "tasting experience center" for tourists, and will employ 50 within five years, according to an announcement from the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Gov. Kay Ivey said the announcement "affirms that our state's sound business climate."

"In addition to the 50 jobs being created, we are excited about the potential economic impact this company will have in Pike County as this becomes a tourist destination for the official spirit of Alabama," she said.

Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey, an aged moonshine whiskey, was named the state's official spirit in 2004. It is modeled after "Christmas whiskey" produced by Alabama moonshiner and bootlegger Clyde May. During May's heyday, he was said to produce up to 300 gallons of whiskey a week at his still near Almeria.

He died in 1990 and his son, Kenny, took his father's recipe and Alabama Conecuh Ridge water to Kentucky for distilling. The finished product was brought back to Alabama for distribution. The company has since changed hands several times.

Conecuh Ridge Distillery, which is actually based in Long Island, N.Y., will distill and bottle the whiskey in Troy. One of the goals of the company was to develop an artisan distillery in Alabama, with an interactive way for visitors to see how it is crafted.

The average wage of jobs there will be $54,000, according to the Alabama Commerce Department.

Roy Danis, president and CEO of Conecuh Ridge Distillery, said it was a decision in keeping with the whiskey's namesake.

"We continuously market our Clyde May's brand in the spirit of our founder, Clyde May," he said. "His values of quality, integrity and craftsmanship are the building blocks of our company today. Coming home to Troy, Alabama, where the brand got its start, reinforces these values and makes all of us who work for this great brand so very proud."

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said the project will make the city a destination location.

"This will be a creative addition to Troy's diverse manufacturing base as well as another wonderfully unique reason to visit Troy," he said.

Conecuh Ridge Whiskey did not become Alabama's only official spirit without controversy. The bill was sent to then-Gov. Bob Riley, who opposed naming a commercial product to represent the state. He voted the measure, but the House and Senate overrode the veto.

The House later tried unsuccessfully to overturn the measure.