Best Distillery

Decatur’s Independent Distilling Co. is a no-frills garage distillery. It’s been more than 100 years since Atlanta was last seen as a hotbed of distilling, but we are finally starting to see glimpses of the city’s former glory. Among the four distilleries now operating in the metro area, Independent Distilling Co. has earned our admiration with its bootstrapped, artisan ways. Its Independent Rum is nuanced and flavorful, with a delightfully light butter-caramel character. The Hellbender Bourbon — the first bourbon distilled inside the Perimeter since Prohibition — makes its mark with a mash bill heavy on Georgia-grown corn. If you take a tour of the tiny outfit, owner/distiller Michael Anderson will happily show you some of the other experimental batches underway — proof that there’s more good stuff to come.  less...