Independent Distilling Company sits in downtown Decatur, Georgia, just outside Atlanta, in a converted warehouse space that buzzes with the energy of craft spirits production. Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Todd and Jennifer Matthews, the distillery emerged from Todd’s background as a chemical engineer and Jennifer’s marketing expertise, combined with their shared passion for creating unique spirits. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses custom copper stills and fermentation tanks, where they produce small-batch whiskey, gin, and vodka using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The Matthews spent three years navigating Georgia’s distillery laws and perfecting their recipes before opening their doors to the public. Todd’s engineering background shows in their precise approach to distillation, while Jennifer handles the business side and community connections that have made them a fixture in Decatur’s growing food and beverage scene. Their master distiller brings experience from larger operations but embraces the creative freedom that comes with small-batch production, experimenting with different mash bills and aging techniques. Visitors find themselves in an active production facility where the smell of fermenting grain mingles with the sharp scent of gin botanicals. The tasting room overlooks the production floor, so you’re watching the process while sampling the results. It’s not polished like the big tourist distilleries, but that’s exactly the point – you’re seeing craft distilling in action, complete with the occasional hiccup and the constant tinkering that defines small-scale spirits production.