There’s an old saying, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Few embody that more fully than Hussein Sultan, owner of Taste Bottle Shop in Sandy Springs. Guided by genuine passion, he has built an impressive brand rooted in experience, strong relationships, and a relentless drive to learn, sharing that knowledge generously with customers who have become friends.
Hussein or “H” as his friends call him, was introduced early on to the way a shared tasting of wine, bourbon, or tequila can bring people together, whether they arrive as strangers or leave as friends. At his family’s business, Soirée Wine, those moments sparked something bigger. “What started as tastings with customers quickly became tastings with close friends,” he says, “and grew into a vision for a different kind of bottle shop, one that feels welcoming, knowledgeable, and centered on discovery rather than just transactions.”
Education is at the heart of Taste Bottle Shop’s philosophy, setting it apart and elevating the customer experience. Hussein brings the benefit of hundreds of hours spent visiting wineries, distilleries, and breweries, learning directly from master craftsmen. Hussein has built deep relationships with artisans and producers around the world, forming collaborations that not only enrich the customer experience but also give these skilled craftspeople a platform to showcase their work bringing his vision to life. “Whether it’s pairing selections from Taste with or hosting joint tastings and pop-ups, these collaborations let us create fuller experiences for our customers ie, wine dinners, bourbon or tequila pairings, charity galas, or neighborhood gatherings that celebrate local flavor and hospitality”, Hussein remarks.
One such relationship with ASW Distillery has brought together a partnership that is rooted in mutual support for Atlanta-made spirits. Hussein states, "Through our extensive single barrel program we have been privileged to select many private single barrels and we proudly feature their lineup, including standout expressions like their bourbons and single malts, and in turn they appreciate having a dedicated local partner that educates customers and hosts tastings. It’s been wonderful watching (and contributing to) ASW’s growth while helping our customers discover hometown talent”.
Meeting at the University of Georgia, Jim Chasteen and Charlie Thompson, co-owners of ASW Distillery, discovered a shared fascination with “searching for clarity in aqua vitae,” a passion that ultimately led them to pursue a common vision: building a distillery dedicated to crafting award-winning whiskeys, bourbons, and clear spirits. What they could not have anticipated, however, was how that vision would expand far beyond the still. Today, in addition to their distillery, they operate three tasting rooms, in Buckhead, The Battery Atlanta, and the West End neighborhoods of Atlanta. Their small-batch creations and spirits honor the heritage, tradition and legacy that was passed down from the forefathers who came to this country generations ago. "This summer, we're celebrating our 10 year anniversary since beginning distillation operations at our Buckhead facility. The community and its support of local businesses are still as strong today as back then – it's a testament to friends like Hussein at Taste that we have been able to grow and thrive all these years”, says Chad Ralston, Partner and CMO at ASW.
It is close relationships like these that allow Taste Bottle Shop to highlight exceptional legacy producers in a way that creates value for everyone involved, most importantly, the customer, who ultimately benefits from these meaningful connections. “People enjoy the chance to try rare pours in a relaxed setting with knowledgeable staff guiding the conversation. We also do wine and craft beer features that bring in a fun mix of regulars and new faces”, says Hussein.
Taste Bottle Shop continues to serve as a welcoming space for neighbors and friends to unwind, connect, and rediscover community. Looking ahead, customers can anticipate the results of Hussein’s ongoing pursuit as he explores Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries in search of the perfect pour, curating exceptional finds to share with the community he has built.
www.tastebottleshop.com | 678-691-5854