Bourbon · Georgia
Bourbon Distilleries in Georgia
Tour 6 bourbon distilleries in Georgia. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including Moonrise Distillery, Lazy Guy Distillery, Big Creek Distilling Co..
6distilleries
About bourbon distilleries in Georgia
Bourbon in Georgia is younger than its Kentucky neighbour but increasingly confident, and touring the state's distilleries is a fine way to taste a Southern style coming into its own. Georgia's makers tend to combine traditional bourbon principles, corn-forward mash bills aged in new charred American oak, with a regional accent shaped by the warmer Southern climate, which can speed maturation and deepen flavour. The roll call is strong. 13th Colony (also listed as Thirteenth Colony) is among Georgia's oldest operating distilleries, building its Southern Bourbon from selected barrels of traditional mash. ASW Distillery in Atlanta has earned national recognition for its Fiddler bourbons and its pioneering blend of Scottish and Appalachian technique. Lazy Guy made history by launching the first straight bourbon in the state, while Big Creek Distilling and Moonrise add further character to the scene. Together these producers offer everything from smooth, slightly sweet sippers to cask-strength expressions, and a visit lets you trace how Georgia is carving out its own place on the American whiskey map.
What makes Georgia bourbon special
To be called bourbon, a whiskey must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, and Georgia's distillers honour those rules while adding their own twist. The biggest factor is climate: Georgia's hot, humid summers and milder winters push spirit in and out of the wood more aggressively than in cooler states, which can accelerate maturation and concentrate flavour. The result is bourbon that often reads as rich, rounded and slightly sweet, as in 13th Colony's Southern Bourbon. There's also genuine innovation here. ASW Distillery describes its approach as blending Scottish and Appalachian distillation, ageing batch by batch, and has collected national medals for its Fiddler bourbons. Lazy Guy's place in the record books as Georgia's first straight bourbon underlines how new and dynamic this scene still is.
What to expect from a bourbon tasting
A Georgia bourbon tasting usually walks you from grain to glass. Expect to hear about the mash bill, fermentation, distillation and the all-important ageing in new charred oak, often with a look at the barrels themselves. Many of these distilleries make more than bourbon, so your flight might also take in corn whiskey, rye, vodka or gin, as at 13th Colony, giving useful context for how the bourbon fits the wider range. Tastings tend to be guided and unhurried, with staff happy to explain how Georgia's climate shapes the spirit and to point out cask-strength or single-barrel expressions worth lingering over. At ASW in Atlanta you can taste the Fiddler line that put the distillery on the national radar. Tasting rooms are generally welcoming to newcomers and seasoned whiskey drinkers alike.
Planning your visit
Georgia's bourbon distilleries split between metro Atlanta and the wider state, so plan accordingly. ASW and other producers around Atlanta make an easy day out, while 13th Colony in south Georgia rewards a longer drive for those tracing the state's oldest operating distillery. Check tour schedules in advance, as some distilleries run tastings only on certain days or require booking, particularly at weekends when they are busiest. Bring ID, and arrange a designated driver or rideshare so everyone can sample freely. If collecting is part of the appeal, ask about straight, cask-strength or single-barrel releases, which are often the most rewarding bottles to bring home and can be limited in availability.
Frequently asked
- What makes a whiskey a bourbon?
- Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Georgia distillers such as 13th Colony, ASW and Lazy Guy follow these rules while adding a regional character shaped by the warm Southern climate.
- Which Georgia distilleries are known for bourbon?
- 13th Colony (Thirteenth Colony) is one of Georgia's oldest operating distilleries and makes a well-regarded Southern Bourbon. ASW Distillery in Atlanta is known for its award-winning Fiddler bourbons, and Lazy Guy launched the first straight bourbon in the state. Big Creek and Moonrise are also worth seeking out.
- How does Georgia's climate affect its bourbon?
- Georgia's hot, humid summers and milder winters cause the spirit to move in and out of the oak more aggressively than in cooler states. This can speed maturation and concentrate flavour, often producing a rich, rounded and slightly sweet bourbon.
- What will I taste on a Georgia bourbon tour?
- You'll typically learn about the mash bill, fermentation, distillation and ageing in new charred oak. Because many distilleries make more than bourbon, your flight may also include corn whiskey, rye, vodka or gin, and possibly cask-strength or single-barrel expressions.
- What is special about ASW Distillery?
- ASW Distillery in Atlanta describes its method as blending Scottish and Appalachian distillation, ageing batch by batch. It has won national recognition for its Fiddler bourbon line, helping put Georgia bourbon on the wider American whiskey map.
- Do I need to book a Georgia bourbon tour?
- Booking ahead is recommended, especially at weekends, as some distilleries run tastings only on certain days or by appointment. Check each one's schedule in advance, bring ID, and arrange a designated driver or rideshare.