Dalton Distillery sits in the heart of downtown Dalton, Georgia, inside a restored 1920s building on East Morris Street that once housed a furniture store. Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Jason and Jennifer Barrett, this craft distillery represents the first legal spirits operation in Whitfield County since Prohibition. Jason, a former engineer, and Jennifer, who worked in hospitality management, spent three years navigating Georgia’s complex distilling laws and convincing city officials that a distillery would enhance downtown revitalization efforts rather than create problems. The 4,000-square-foot facility houses a 250-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works, where they produce bourbon, moonshine, and flavored spirits using locally-sourced corn when possible. The Barretts handle most operations themselves, from mashing and distilling to bottling and label application, creating an intimate production environment where visitors often meet the actual makers of their spirits. Their approach centers on small-batch production with careful attention to each step, reflecting Jason’s engineering background and Jennifer’s focus on customer experience. The distillery opened its doors to the public in late 2018, quickly becoming a downtown anchor that draws visitors from across North Georgia and Tennessee.