A Southern Sweet Treat Staple
Whaley Pecan Company, natural pecans.
As the start of the wedding season is being thrusted upon us, I went searching for a company that not only has delectable treats, but one that is known for their customer service and quality. We all know that finding a dessert for your wedding that everyone will like, but also won’t melt in the southern heat, is a difficult endeavor. But did you ever consider a southern staple like the pecan pie? No, really, like a mini pecan pie? Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s a company that caters to brides wanting this exact kind of vibe. Their name is Whaley Pecan Company, located in Troy, Alabama. Not only do they have mini pecan pies that come in all sorts of flavors, they have natural pecans, roasted and salted pecans, honey pecans, praline pecans—the list goes on and on. Sure, there’s probably other companies out there that sell pecan pies, but none can match the quality of Whaley’s pecans. They’re so good that even other companies refer their customers to Whaley.
I took the time on Wednesday, April 9th, to speak to the face of the company, Melissa Boatner. Her passion for the company absolutely beamed through the phone. My first question her was, “So, how was Whaley Pecans started? What’s the history?” In 1937, her great-grandfather, Lester Whaley, owned a roadside fruit stand. One day, a couple approached him and asked if he could start selling pecans. After following through with this request, the couple asked him if he could crack them as well. So, Lester and his wife sat down at the kitchen table and started cracking pecans. After a while, he bought a building with platform scales, a counter, and a typewriter. Thus was Whaley Pecan Company. In the 70’s, Melissa’s grandfather and father bought the property that the current factory and gift shop stands on today. Her grandfather and father cleared the entire property by hand with chainsaws. You could say it was a labor of love. Since then, they have added on three times—in ‘88, ‘98, and 2016.
Now, for the delicious part of the story (we’re talking pecan pie delicious). Whaley Pecan Company bought Joe C. Williams Pecans in 2016 through a handshake deal. Through this deal, they started making one-of-a-kind mini pecan pies. Now, if you’re a fan of flavored pecan pies, then you’re in luck. Not only does Whaley Pecans offer old fashioned pecan pies, they also have chocolate pecan, coconut, and coconut pecan pies. I mean what more could you want? I could eat a box of each flavor in a day if given the chance. During the holiday season, they also make a chocolate bourbon pecan pie—perfect for snuggling up next to the fire with hot chocolate and hubby! If you’re the adventurous kind of bride, you can buy one of their “kits.” This permits you to make their pecan pie at home, as well as their chocolate, vanilla, and harvest spice loaf cakes.
I did, in fact, receive several samples from Melissa so that I could try their products for myself and not just write a blind review. When I tell you that my eyes widened and my world was complete once I tried that pecan pie, I’m not lying. I grew up harvesting and cracking pecans from my Aunt’s backyard. Pecan pie is very near and dear to my heart, so I had extremely high expectations for those samples. Not only did they meet them, but they exceeded them. They were moist, but not greasy. The pie shell had the perfect crunch without being too crumbly. The pie itself was the right amount of sweet. I wish I had known about these sooner because I would’ve had them at my wedding without a second thought.
Whaley Pecans are obviously perfect, but what about the company as a whole? We all know that huge corporations and companies rarely care about their quality or their customer service. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that with Whaley. As I stated before, other pecan companies refer their customers to Whaley because they can’t match the quality of their pecans. Whaley imports all their pecans from Alabama or Georgia. They are USA grown and never imported from Mexico, or even exported outside the US. It truly is the epitome of an all-American, family-owned, American dream, southern company. Their customer service ensures loyal and happy customers. You can walk in the door and immediately see either Melissa or her sister at the desk greeting you with a warm smile.
Whaley Pecans for special occasions and events.
Needless to say, if you want a southern sweet treat at your wedding, you should seriously consider Whaley Pecan Company. They won’t hesitate to customize the packaging if you need them to so they fit the theme of your wedding. All you have to do is set them out on a table, or a tiered platform, and let the guests dig in!
Instagram: @whaleypecan
Website: Whaley Pecan Company
