Proposal would allow free liquor samples on distilling tours

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By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tourists going to Georgia's growing number of distilleries could end their walk with a sip of liquor under a new proposal in the General Assembly.

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A Georgia bill would allow distilleries, like the 13th Colony Distillery in Americus seen in this photo, to give out a single half-ounce sample to visitors.

13th Colony Distillery A Georgia bill would allow distilleries, like the 13th Colony Distillery in Americus seen in this photo, to give out a single half-ounce sample to visitors.

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Distilleries could give a single half-ounce sample if legislators approve House Bill 514, which a committee approved Wednesday.

"It's a lot easier to try a small sample at a shop before going out and spending $30 on a bottle of something you might not like," said Bill Mauldin of Milledgeville's Georgia Distilling Co.

Small makers of whiskey, vodka, gin and other liquors have popped up in Georgia in the past three years, from 13th Colony Distillery in Americus to Dawsonville Distillery in Georgia's foothills. There are about half a dozen distilleries working or being developed, and the owners want to be on equal footing with Georgia's wineries and micro brewers, where samples can be had.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Rusty Kidd, I-Milledgeville, said allowing samples could boost the small businesses.

Erik Vonk, the owner of Richland Distillery near Columbus, makes rum from Georgia-grown sugar cane. Those purchases boost the local economy, he said, as did hiring workers and refurbishing a building in downtown Richland.

Vonk said samples could help boost sales in Georgia and wherever the liquors are sold.

"The bottom line is everybody is likely to benefit," Vonk said in an email to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The bill will have to be put on a calender for debate and a vote on the House floor. From there it would go to the Senate.