368: How Southern Distilleries Are Changing the Whiskey Landscape: ASW Distillery Leads Georgia’s Rise

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Louisville,KY — Georgia is emerging as one of the most exciting frontiers in American whiskey, and ASW Distillery (Atlanta’s Spirit Works) is at the center of that momentum. In a new feature from Bourbon Lens News, distiller Whit Hagemann shares how ASW is challenging long-held assumptions about where great bourbon and American whiskey can come from—and how innovation, transparency, and community are fueling their rise.

With nearly a decade of operation, ASW has helped elevate Georgia’s whiskey reputation alongside fellow distilleries like Short Barrel and Old Fourth, forming what many enthusiasts now recognize as a growing “Georgia Bourbon Trail.” Rather than competing with Kentucky and Tennessee, ASW is carving out its own identity through creative mash bills, experimental finishes, and a dual approach that blends sourced whiskey with in-house distillation.

“We’re starting to get the national attention we deserve, and our goal is to add Georgia to the bourbon map,” says Hagemann.

ASW’s strategy balances accessibility and experimentation. Entry-level offerings like Fiddler Wheated provide classic bourbon profiles—vanilla, caramel, and sweetness—while in-house distillates such as Fiddler Soloist and Fiddler Encore Georgia Oak push boundaries through pot-still character, double-oak processes, and finishes in Jamaican rum, tawny port, and Georgia oak. Their award-winning Encore release earned double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, further cementing ASW’s national credibility.

Hagemann also discusses the challenges of scaling craft whiskey without sacrificing quality, emphasizing the importance of distributor relationships, consumer education, and label transparency. By clearly communicating mash bills, finishes, and sourcing, ASW connects with an increasingly knowledgeable whiskey audience seeking authenticity and flavor-driven storytelling.

As American whiskey continues to expand beyond traditional regions, ASW Distillery exemplifies how southern producers are redefining what bourbon and American single malt can be—proving that innovation doesn’t have to come from legacy alone.

The full feature exploring ASW’s rise, whiskey philosophy, and future growth is available now on Bourbon Lens News at www.bourbonlens.com.

https://youtu.be/LxupLkNng3U

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