Nestled in a converted warehouse on College Ave, Independent Distilling Company has been crafting award-winning spirits in Decatur since 2014.
“We were the first legal distillery to open inside the Perimeter since prohibition,” says founder Michael Anderson. “We started with whiskey because that’s what we like to drink, went down the rabbit hole of rum, and now we’re putting out a gin. We love to experiment.”
And experiment they do. Independent has collaborated with local producers like 3 Taverns Brewing and Urban Tree Cidery to create unique one-off products like Bierschnaps and apple brandy in addition to their core lineup of whiskeys and rums. The Decatur community has provided the distillery with exceptional opportunities for collaboration and experimentation.
“When our neighbors have an idea to do something weird, we always say “Sure, let’s see what happens!” says bar manager and cocktail master Casey Teague. Independent’s newest release, Fowlers Gin, is a prime example of that willingness to experiment.
“Gin was our covid project. We started making hand sanitizer to give away and had a lot of neutral spirit. So we started searching to find our ideal flavor profile.” Teague explains.
The result is a botanical, citrus-forward gin that is equally delicious sipped as it is mixed in one of the distillery’s signature cocktails like the “Radish Me This”, a surprise that goes well beyond your basic martini with flavors like dill, fennel, and radish. Teague crafts all of the cocktail syrups and ingredients from scratch.
“Everything we do is intentionally unique,” says Anderson. “It’s a philosophy for us- if you’re not doing something different as a small producer, what are you bringing to the table? We want to give people the opportunity to try something new.”
Visit The Distillery
Independent Distilling Company’s taproom and distillery is open to the public for tours, tastings, and cocktails on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-9 pm, Fridays from 5-10 pm, and Saturdays from 3-10 pm. Check out their lineup of events like trivia, pop-up restaurants, and special spirit releases at IndependentDistilling.com. Their taproom offers the perfect place for holiday gatherings and is available to rent for events.
You can find the full offering of Independent Distilling spirits, including the new Fowlers Gin, in liquor stores across Decatur and Metro Atlanta. Stock your bar and discover your new favorite holiday spirit!