Jim Chasteen
“Atlanta’s Hometown Whiskey”
ASW Distillery or American Spirits Works is a small-batch craft distillery located in Atlanta, Georgia. ASW Distillery uses twin Alembic Scottish-style pot stills to make unique spirits for new whiskey drinkers and connoisseurs alike. ASW’s co-founder, Jim Chasteen, is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management and Insurance. In 2008, Chasteen teamed with roommate and friend Charlie Thompson, and the duo started planning their own operation, envisioning a craft distillery startup. Unfortunately, at the time, there were limited options due to restrictive Georgia liquor laws, so they initially partnered with a facility in Charleston, South Carolina, to produce their first brand, American Spirit Whiskey. After building their reputation and raising capital, they opened their first distillery in Atlanta's Amour Yard District in 2016. Jim's sister connected them with Justin Manglitz, a highly skilled homebrewer and distiller, who joined the team as a partner and now serves as Master Distiller. At that point, ASW became the second legally licensed distillery in Atlanta since the end of Prohibition. Manglitz is also a University of Georgia alumnus.
Charlie Thompson and Jim Chasteen
The distillery has since opened multiple locations throughout the Atlanta Metropolis. Each has its own specific function; the Armour Drive is located in the Buckhead area. This location houses the twin copper pot stills used for whiskey distillation. The ASW Exchange location is situated on the Beltline’s West End area, featuring a tasting room and a barrel warehouse. The Battery Atlanta is located next to the Atlanta Braves stadium. This location features stills for vodka and gin, a full-service tasting room, and a mixed-use patio. In July 2025, a fourth location, "Flights + Bites," opened at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. ASW offers a unique airport tasting room and bar, located in Concourse B of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), providing travelers with a taste of Atlanta's local craft spirits and small plates. This location serves award-winning bourbon, rye, and vodka, along with curated small bites, providing a sophisticated way to experience local flavors—as well as a flight before a flight!
American Spirits Works is known for its "Southern Pot-Still Pioneer" approach, combining traditional Scottish-style copper pot stills with an innovative, Appalachian-inspired "grain-in" distillation method; this means the grain solids are left in the mash throughout the entire production process, resulting in a unique flavor profile. It is partly because of this method that ASW has gained significant recognition in the spirits world. Some of their notable products and awards include: Duality Double Malt Whiskey: Voted Georgia's first Double Gold Medal Whiskey by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018. Resurgens Rye: Another Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Winterville Gin: Named after Jim Chasteen's hometown, this gin features a unique blend of botanicals and won gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Chasteen is an Athens, Georgia, native. He married his wife, Snellville native Kelly Frey Chasteen, in 2002. The Chasteens have a son, 21-year-old Jonathan, and a daughter, Calla, 18. The couple also shares two beloved dogs, Barley, an American Bulldog, and Oatis, a Sheepadoodle. Kelly is also a UGA alum who previously worked for the Fulton County School System, but later became head of private events at ASW Distillery. She is now a partner at ASW and serves as chief HR officer, where, under her guidance, the distillery continues to earn awards.
Sources:
ASW Distillery/home, aswdistillery.com
2. Bulldog Illustrated, “Georgia Girls Lifestyle: Kelly Frey Chasteen”, Cheri Leavy, April 12, 2022
Contributed by Rakio Brand, Atlanta, Georgia
