About Us Simple Man Distillery partners with local Georgia farmers to create world class spirits with a Southern Soul. The Simple Man Distillery name was chosen for two reasons. The first reason is a belief that a smplified life is more satisfying. When we complicate matters and misplace our priorities, trouble and strife finds us. Justin was tired of traveling in previous jobs and realized that his family is a top priority. Helping coach his kids’ sport teams and volunteering in our community provides a sense of peace and fulfillment. The second reason Simple Man Distillery was created is out of love for our neighbors. Simplifying our ingredients in our food and drinks is just the right thing to do. Georgia is an amazing state for produce and agriculture. We have many different regions and cultures that provide so many world class fruits and vegetables. From the mountains of Ellijay rolling through the Piedmont into plains and coastal regions, our neighbors that are hard working farmers shower us with the fruits of their labor. Farm-to-table restaurants and breweries are highlighting these noble endeavors, but spirits seemed to be a missing piece. Simple Man Distillery is designated "Georgia Grown" by the Georgia Department of Agriculture for using local ingredients to produce here in Georgia. Typically, we use produce that is discarded and are able to help in sustainable efforts. Single family owned farmers are failing at a historically high rate with minority owned farms being affected disportionally. We have a platform to support all farmers and shine a light on their efforts. Our choices can make a difference. We do not want to talk the talk. We work extra hard to walk the walk. Do we fail sometimes? Yes. However, we make a conscious decision to work towards that goal each and every day we wake up. When those efforts succeed, it is worth it. What Simple Man Distillery does cannot be accomplished without the help of our neighbors and we love them for it. Simple Man Distillery is building our location at Cumming City Center opening in 2025! Justin Douglas
Hi, I’m Justin Douglas and am the owner and founder of Simple Man Distillery™ located in metro Atlanta, Georgia. I am a native son of Georgia and like to think that I am a part of part of the “New South”. The spirit and enterprise of our great state has much to offer to the world and the future is bright. How is this accomplished? By loving our neighbors. We celebrate the hard work farmers do toiling the land and give them the credit that's due. My father’s side of my family lived in Kentucky. While there are no documented bootleggers, I have found some “relics” that led me to believe that it was a possibility. This instilled an early interest in spirits that has not gone away. Simple Man Distillery ™ was born from these roots. Really, my story is not important, it is the heroes in our backyard that should be championed. |
I have had a passion for craft beer and spirits since I first turned 21. As a bartender, I love helping people enjoy spirits and bringing drinks to life. I am definitely am thrill seeker but enjoy the simple things, like punching people in the face. I am a mixed martial artist and have trained and competed since the age of 9. When I am not training for a fight, sipping on a nice drink or preparing a delicious cocktail for a guest at the bar, I am spending time with my fiance and baby girl. Bringing a daughter into this world has been an eye opener and it's definitely all about her now. Working in the spirits industry is a dream of mine. So I am so blessed to be part of not the newest farm to glass craft distillery: Simple Man. Surrounding myself with the people I love and focusing on the things I am passionate about are the only ingredients needed to keep my life simple. |
Press
FORBES- Aug 27, 2021 Brian Freedman Wines Of The Week: Legras & Haas Champagne, Carbone Cabernet, And Simple Man Distillery Gullah Geechee Gin
AJC-February 4, 2020 by Nina Furstenau "...A new venture adds the skills of his partner, Jovan Sage, herbalist, doula, and proprietor of Sage’s Larder, to the creation of a smooth gin with farm-grown hibiscus, an age-old Gullah Geechee ingredient. The two launched Gullah Geechee Gin in partnership with Justin Douglas of Simple Man Distillery in Atlanta..." Excuse My Atlanta Sass-August 20,2018 Explicit- Podcast Fun podcast with Jonathan and Kristina Atlanta Voyage-January 19, 2019 "... Simple Man Distillery makes farm-to-glass spirits made from crops grown right here in Georgia. It was a long road to get here though..."
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