White Path Creek Distillery sits in the heart of North Georgia’s apple country on Old Northcutt Road in Ellijay, where founders Jason and Tonya Putman turned their dream of craft distilling into reality. The husband-and-wife team launched their operation in 2018 after Jason, a former engineer, caught the distilling bug and spent years perfecting recipes in their home. Their 3,000-square-foot facility houses copper pot stills where they produce small-batch whiskey, rum, and moonshine using traditional methods combined with modern precision.
The Putmans didn’t take the easy route to opening day. Jason spent countless weekends learning the craft, traveling to other distilleries, and working through the complex web of federal and state regulations that govern distilling. Tonya handles the business side while Jason focuses on production, and together they’ve created something that reflects both their engineering backgrounds and their love for the mountain community they call home. The distillery name pays homage to the Cherokee heritage of the area, with White Path Creek referencing the historical significance of the region.
Visitors find a working distillery where you can see the entire process from grain to glass. The tasting room showcases their growing lineup of spirits in a relaxed atmosphere where the Putmans or their team walk you through each product’s story. You’re not getting a corporate tour here – you’re getting the real deal from people who are genuinely passionate about what they’re making and happy to share the details of how they make it.
