Atlanta’s distillery scene emerged from Georgia’s 2015 craft distillery legislation that allowed producers to sell spirits by the bottle and cocktails on-site, transforming what had been a production-only industry into a hospitality category with significant economic and cultural relevance. The city now supports a growing number of craft distilleries producing everything from Georgia-sourced bourbon and rye whiskey to vodka, gin, and apple-based spirits, each bringing a distinct perspective on the art of distillation. Atlanta’s distilleries have become destination experiences that attract spirits enthusiasts, corporate event planners, and curious tourists drawn to the combination of artisan production transparency and quality tasting room programming.
When evaluating Atlanta distilleries, the quality and character of the spirits themselves are the primary standards. Look for distillers who can articulate their grain sourcing, fermentation approach, distillation method, and maturation decisions, as process transparency is the clearest indicator of genuine craft intent rather than simple contract distilling. Reputable Atlanta distilleries will hold current Georgia Department of Revenue distillery permits alongside federal TTB distillery licenses. Award records from respected competitions like the San Francisco World Spirits Competition provide objective third-party quality validation. Red flags include evasive answers about sourcing, spirits that taste predominantly of ethanol without complexity, and tasting rooms that prioritize ambiance over education about the actual product.
Top Distillery Companies in Atlanta
1. ASW Distillery
Address: 199 Armour Drive Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: (404) 590-2279
Website: https://www.aswdistillery.com
Service Area: Buckhead/Midtown flagship, West End Whiskey Exchange (1000 White Street), The Battery (900 Battery Avenue)
Awards & Recognition: More awards than any other craft whiskey distillery at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition since 2018, including 6 Double Gold Medals and 11 Gold Medals
Services:
- Whiskey, bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin production
- Tasting room tours and tastings
- Custom barrel program
- Corporate event hosting
- Retail bottle sales
About: ASW Distillery at American Spirit Works has established itself as Atlanta’s premier craft distillery through a combination of award-winning spirits and a multi-location hospitality presence across the city. Since 2018, ASW has accumulated more awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition than any other craft whiskey distillery in the country, including six Double Gold Medals and eleven Gold Medals, providing objective validation of the quality their team produces. The Armour Drive flagship offers tours and tastings, the West End Whiskey Exchange features a barrelhouse and tasting room environment, and the Battery location at Truist Park showcases custom cocktails alongside the distilling operation. ASW’s Georgia-focused sourcing and craft approach have made it the benchmark for Atlanta distillery quality.
2. Old Fourth Distillery
Address: 487 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: (404) 458-5862
Website: https://www.o4d.com
Service Area: Old Fourth Ward, Downtown Atlanta, BeltLine corridor
Founded: 2014
Services:
- Bourbon, vodka, gin, and rye whiskey
- Tasting room with cocktails
- Distillery tours
- Bottle retail
- Event hosting
About: Old Fourth Distillery holds a significant place in Atlanta history as the city’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, opening in 2014 in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood along the Atlanta BeltLine. The distillery produces award-winning spirits across multiple categories including its sustainable non-GMO sugarcane vodka, London Dry gin, and aged bourbon and rye whiskeys. The tasting room is designed with production visibility as a priority, allowing visitors to observe the distilling operation while sampling the finished spirits. Old Fourth Distillery’s location in one of Atlanta’s most culturally rich and rapidly evolving neighborhoods adds community significance to every visit, and the operation has become a flagship business for the Old Fourth Ward’s transformation into one of Atlanta’s premier dining and entertainment districts.
3. Third Rail Spirits
Address: 1782 Montreal Rd, Tucker, GA 30084
Phone: (404) 566-8478
Website: https://www.thirdrailspirits.com
Service Area: Tucker, DeKalb County, metro Atlanta east side
Services:
- Craft gin, vodka, and liqueurs
- Tasting room and cocktail bar
- Bottle retail
- Event space rental
- Private tastings
About: Third Rail Spirits is a craft distillery operating in Tucker that has built a regional following for its carefully crafted gins and spirits, demonstrating that quality craft distilling in the Atlanta metro extends well beyond the city’s immediate urban core. The distillery’s tasting room provides an intimate setting for guided tastings and cocktail experiences, and the event space has become a popular venue for private gatherings, corporate events, and milestone celebrations. Third Rail’s focus on botanical complexity in its gin program reflects genuine distiller expertise and a commitment to spirits that stand apart from commodity production. The Tucker location is easily accessible from both Interstate 285 and US-29, making it convenient for guests coming from across the metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I look for on a distillery tour in Atlanta?
A: Look for tours that engage you with the actual production process rather than simply walking you past equipment to a tasting table. A quality distillery tour should cover grain sourcing and mashing for whiskey producers, botanical selection for gin makers, or base spirit production for vodka distillers. The tour guide should be able to answer questions about the specific choices made at each production stage and how those choices affect the final spirit. The tasting portion should include guided sensory evaluation rather than simply setting samples in front of you, and staff should be able to discuss how the spirits pair with food or work in cocktails. The best Atlanta distillery tours leave you with a genuine understanding of what distinguishes the product you just tasted.
Q: What does a distillery tasting or tour typically cost in Atlanta?
A: Distillery tours with tasting components at Atlanta operations typically cost between $15 and $25 per person, with premium tour formats including barrel selection or blending experiences running $40 to $75. Walk-in tasting flights without a full tour generally fall in the $12 to $20 range for four to five samples. Cocktails at distillery tasting rooms are typically priced similarly to quality cocktail bars, generally $12 to $18 each. Bottle retail at distillery shops is typically priced at the market rate for quality craft spirits, ranging from $30 to $80 per bottle depending on the spirit type and maturation level. Many Atlanta distilleries offer loyalty programs and mailing lists that notify customers of limited release opportunities.
Q: Are Atlanta distilleries available for private events and corporate functions?
A: Yes, private events are a significant component of the business model for most Atlanta distilleries. ASW Distillery maintains dedicated event spaces across its three locations and handles everything from intimate private tastings to large corporate receptions. Old Fourth Distillery offers the Old Fourth Ward location as an event venue with the production floor visible and accessible for tours during events. Third Rail Spirits has built out its Tucker location specifically to accommodate private gatherings with flexibility on configuration and catering. Most Atlanta distilleries require advance booking for private events and typically work with preferred catering partners for food service. Spirits education components, blind tasting competitions, and cocktail-making workshops are popular formats for corporate team-building events.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s distillery scene has produced nationally competitive craft spirits in a remarkably short time, anchored by the award-winning excellence of ASW Distillery, the historic significance and quality of Old Fourth Distillery, and the boutique expertise of Third Rail Spirits. Each of these operations offers a distinctive experience that goes well beyond simply sampling spirits, connecting visitors with the craft and process behind each bottle. For anyone seeking Atlanta’s best distilled spirits, reaching out to any of these three operations for tours, tastings, or event planning will put you in contact with people who are genuinely serious about their craft.