Shortbarrel Bottle Your Own Experience

"As the owner of Old Fourth Distillery and co-founder of Shortbarrel Bourbon, I’ve always believed in creating experiences that break the mold. When we opened our new distillery space, I kept hearing one thing from visitors: they wanted something different. Folks were craving a more immersive way to enjoy our whiskey, beyond the usual tours and tastings. I took that to heart, and that’s how our “Fill Your Own Bottle” experience was born – out of a passion to give people a hands-on adventure they couldn’t find anywhere else.

Shortbarrel Bottle Your Own Fillers

Listening to Our Guests: We introduced Fill Your Own Bottle because our customers asked for it. Whiskey lovers were telling us they wanted to be part of the process, not just sip on the sidelines. In fact, we’re proud to be the only distillery in Georgia where you can do this. Knowing that no one else in our state offers a bottle-your-own experience makes it even more special for us – it’s a testament to how far we’ll go to meet the demand for something new and exciting. We basically said, “Challenge accepted!” and built this program to elevate the distillery visit for everyone who walks through our doors.

A Truly Hands-On Experience: There’s nothing quite like the moment when you step up to the barrel and fill your own bottle straight from the source. We often talk about “the magic of crafting your own bottle – straight from the barrel, filled by you, and sealed by you” , and that’s exactly what it feels like. You get to hold the glass under the tap, watch amber bourbon flow out, and fill it yourself. The whole room fills with the aroma of the whiskey, and you feel a personal connection to the craft. It transforms the whiskey from just a drink into your creation. That hands-on element gives you a new appreciation for every drop – you’re not only tasting the craft, you’re actively participating in it.

Enhancing the Distillery Experience: I’ve noticed how this offering has completely changed the energy of our tours. When visitors know they’ll get to bottle their own whiskey, the excitement is palpable. They ask more questions, they engage with our team, and they’re genuinely curious about every step – from the barrel’s history to the bottling technique. It turns a routine tasting into an interactive whiskey adventure. Instead of just observing our process, you become part of the process. I’ve watched people’s faces light up with big smiles and heard them say this was the highlight of their trip. Moments like that tell me we’ve succeeded in making the distillery experience richer and more memorable for our guests.

Connecting You with the Craft: The best part, if you ask me, is what each person takes home at the end of the day. It’s not just a souvenir bottle – it’s your own bottle of our bourbon, filled by your hands and capped with your pride. We mark the label with the barrel number and details, so you know the exact story behind that whiskey. Every time you pour a glass from it at home, you’ll remember the day you bottled it yourself. That connection to the craft is something you simply can’t get from a store-bought spirit. It’s a one-of-a-kind bottle with a story uniquely yours, and that is an incredible value for any whiskey lover.

Why It Matters to Me: On a personal note, this Fill-Your-Own-Bottle program embodies what I love most about being a distiller. I got into this business out of pure passion for great whiskey and the community around it. Seeing someone roll up their sleeves, engage with our craft, and walk away beaming with accomplishment – that’s deeply rewarding to me. It bridges the gap between distiller and guest. We’re inviting you into our world, showing you that making whiskey is as fulfilling as drinking it. This experience isn’t just about bottling bourbon; it’s about building a connection. It reminds us that every bottle has a human touch and a story behind it.

At the end of the day, my goal is to enhance the distillery experience for everyone and share the passion that started Old Fourth and Shortbarrel in the first place. The Fill-Your-Own Bottle station has become the heart of our distillery tours – a place where memories are made alongside the whiskey. Our visitors wanted something different, and together we created something unforgettable. As I watch people fill, cork, and proudly hold up their bottles, I can’t help but feel proud too. This is exactly the kind of personal, engaging experience I dreamed of offering, and it’s amazing to see how much joy it brings to our customers and to me. It’s proof that when you let people get hands-on with the craft, the results are truly magical."

-- C. Dugan (Shortbarrel Bourbon)