House Of Applejay Distillery

We didn’t plan on finding magic in the North Georgia mountains… but that’s exactly what happened when my buddy Xavier and I stumbled into House of Applejay Distillery on a random Friday afternoon. From the second you walk in, you realize this isn’t just another “stop in for a tasting” kind of place. It’s pristine. Surgical-clean. The kind of place where you immediately trust whatever’s about to hit your glass. And then you meet Caroline - the owner, the master distiller, the brain behind the operation - and the whole thing levels up fast. This isn’t a hobbyist playing with copper stills. This is a world-class problem-solver who sharpened her edge engineering solutions for Daimler and BMW across Europe before bringing that precision and creativity to Ellijay. And now? She’s crafting award-winning vodkas and liqueurs like it’s her second language. We didn’t just taste… we experienced. Let’s talk about that Winter Cherry Mountain liqueur for a second… because wow. Deep, rich, dangerously smooth. It’s the kind of pour that makes you pause mid-sentence and just look at your buddy like, “Are we serious right now?” Sweet liqueurs not usually our go-to, but the flavors were so rich. So refined. The flavors hit the palate, from a sweet grass vodka to the juniper infused old style gin beverages, propelling your experience upwards. The beverage I took part of twice was paired with a blood orange ginger beer - and suddenly you’re holding a drink that tastes like it belongs in a five-star cocktail bar. But you’re sitting in this relaxed, welcoming distillery in the mountains in the little town of Ellijay. And the best part? The stories. Caroline and her mother were right there with us. Bringing us in to the fold and taking us on their adventure of House of Applejay; laughing, talking about the journey, the risks, the wins. The YouTube channel interviews. The awards won. The trials of a dry county and trying to navigate new invented spirits that don’t fit a category. You could feel the pride in every bottle and every pour. Xavier and I didn’t just “have a drink.” We had a moment. One of those unexpected, lightning-in-a-bottle experiences that you talk about long after the glasses are empty. And for two old Naval Academy roommates separated by a thousand miles, it was exactly what the Admiral ordered. Five stars isn’t enough. If you’re anywhere near Ellijay and you don’t stop here… you’re doing it wrong.

4/18/2026

I can’t say enough how much of a good time this is for a tasting! Caroline was AMAZING in walking us thru each tasting and the facts of their products and the business in general! Don’t hesitate to check them out! So much fun!

3/6/2026

Oh my goodness! What a complete gem 💎 A must visit in Ellijay. The bartender was simply amazing with such a wealth of information and amazing tasting experience. It was freezing so we opted for some hot cocktails and they hit the spot. I highly recommend the Hot Cherry Chocolate - luxurious and delicious. Thank you for an amazing date night! We will be back.

2/2/2026

We stopped here last minute on Christmas Day evening. It was a really cool find, we got to experience a tasting and Caroline gave a lot of cool background on the spirits. If you have a chance definitely stop here and check it out!

12/26/2025

Absolutely worth the stop! Although if you aren’t paying attention you might miss the parking lot (it’s on a little slope) They use natural ingredients and the beverages themselves are rich in history. I enjoyed all I was able to taste and learn about these unique flavors. The environment itself was warm and inviting (loved the bear pictures in the restroom). Do recommend hanging out in the little barrels if they are open. The window opens so you get a nice breeze but are sheltered from the sun. I honestly wish that they were closer so we could come back and just hang out with a glass for a couple of hours.

3/26/2024