Kennesaw Whiskey (Lazy Guy): Your Guide to This Local Distillery Near Atlanta

If you live in the Atlanta area or you’re planning a visit and want to explore local Georgia whiskey, Kennesaw Whiskey by Lazy Guy Distillery is one of the closest small-batch options just outside the city. Located in downtown Kennesaw, it’s an easy trip from most parts of metro Atlanta and offers a mix of local spirits, tastings, and a laid-back atmosphere.

This guide walks you through what to expect, how to visit, and how Kennesaw Whiskey fits into the broader Atlanta distillery scene.

Where Is Lazy Guy Distillery and Kennesaw Whiskey?

Lazy Guy Distillery
(Producer of Kennesaw Whiskey)
✓ Located in downtown Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta
✓ Roughly a 30–40 minute drive from many in-town neighborhoods, depending on traffic

Typical visitors come from:

  • Intown Atlanta (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park)
  • Northside suburbs (Marietta, Smyrna, Sandy Springs)
  • Cobb County and nearby Kennesaw State University

For most Atlanta residents, it’s a half-day outing: drive up, enjoy a tasting, walk around historic Kennesaw, and head back.

What Is Kennesaw Whiskey?

Kennesaw Whiskey is a flagship whiskey label produced by Lazy Guy Distillery, a small craft distillery focusing on Georgia-made, small-batch spirits.

While specific mash bills and aging details may change over time as the distillery experiments, you can generally expect:

  • Style: American whiskey or bourbon-style craft whiskey
  • Scale: Small-batch runs rather than mass-produced bottlings
  • Profile: Often described by visitors as character-driven and distinct, reflecting craft production methods

For Atlanta whiskey fans, Kennesaw Whiskey tends to appeal to people who:

  • Enjoy trying local and regional spirits
  • Like comparing craft whiskey to larger national brands
  • Want an experience that feels hands-on and small-scale, not industrial

What to Expect When You Visit

Although exact offerings can change, a typical visit to Lazy Guy Distillery for Kennesaw Whiskey includes some or all of the following:

Tasting Room Experience

Most Atlanta-area visitors use Lazy Guy as a tasting destination. Common features include:

  • Guided tastings of Kennesaw Whiskey and other house spirits
  • Staff who explain how the whiskey is made, barrel aging, and local sourcing where applicable
  • The chance to compare different expressions or limited releases side by side

Many Atlanta residents pair their visit with other activities in Kennesaw, since a typical tasting session is relatively short.

Distillery Tours

When tours are offered, they usually give you a look at:

  • The mash and fermentation areas
  • The stills and barrel storage
  • An overview of how raw grain becomes finished whiskey

If you’re coming from Atlanta, it’s wise to:

  • 🔹 Check current tour availability and times in advance
  • 🔹 Confirm whether reservations are required, especially on weekends

Tour offerings can shift based on staffing, season, and demand.

Tasting Tips for Atlanta Visitors

If you’re planning a visit from Atlanta, a little preparation can make the experience smoother.

Getting There

From most of Atlanta, you’ll likely:

  1. Take I-75 North toward Kennesaw.
  2. Exit near downtown Kennesaw (common exits are in the Barrett Parkway / Chastain Road area, then local streets into downtown).
  3. Park in or near downtown and walk to the distillery.

Because metro Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable:

  • Allow extra travel time if you’re heading up on weekday afternoons or game days.
  • Consider daytime or early afternoon windows for less traffic stress.

Designated Driver & Transportation

If you’re tasting alcohol:

  • Arrange a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi for the return trip to Atlanta.
  • Keep tastings moderate and respect all local alcohol laws and safety considerations.

Visitors often combine a single tasting flight with food elsewhere in downtown Kennesaw before heading home.

What Else Does Lazy Guy Offer Besides Kennesaw Whiskey?

Kennesaw Whiskey is typically a core product, but you may also see:

  • Other whiskeys (different mash bills, barrel finishes, or limited releases)
  • Additional spirits, such as rye, flavored expressions, or seasonal offerings
  • Bottle sales where allowed under Georgia law

Because Georgia alcohol regulations can influence how and when spirits are sold directly from a distillery:

  • Expect limits on how much you can purchase on-site.
  • Be prepared to show valid ID; Georgia law requires age verification for alcohol purchases.

If you want a specific product (for example, a particular Kennesaw Whiskey release), it’s smart to call ahead and ask what’s currently in stock.

Pairing Your Visit With Other Atlanta-Area Plans

A trip to Lazy Guy Distillery from Atlanta works well as:

  • A northwest metro day trip:

    • Visit the distillery
    • Walk or dine in downtown Kennesaw
    • Optionally, stop by Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park for hiking or history
  • Part of a broader Atlanta craft beverage tour:

    • Combine with Atlanta breweries (in West Midtown, Grant Park, or the BeltLine area)
    • Add another urban distillery or winery closer to in-town neighborhoods on a different day

If you have guests visiting Atlanta who enjoy local food and drink, Kennesaw Whiskey can be one highlight in a multi-stop itinerary that shows off Georgia-made products.

How Kennesaw Whiskey Fits Into Atlanta’s Distillery and Urban Winery Scene

While much of Atlanta’s alcohol scene is focused on breweries and cocktail bars, the distillery and urban winery segment has been growing. In that context, Kennesaw Whiskey and Lazy Guy Distillery stand out because:

  • They’re a short drive from the city, but not so far that you need an overnight trip.
  • They specialize in craft whiskey, which appeals to Atlantans who already enjoy the city’s strong cocktail culture.
  • They contribute to the “local first” movement, where many Atlanta drinkers look for products made in or near the metro area.

If you’re trying to understand how distilleries operate around Atlanta:

  • Expect a mix of small-batch operations like Lazy Guy outside the core city, and
  • Urban-style facilities closer in, often with a more bar-like or cocktail-focused environment.

Kennesaw Whiskey is one of the accessible introductions to Georgia whiskey for Atlanta residents who want something local without driving deep into rural parts of the state.

Practical Planning Checklist for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Use this quick reference as you plan a Kennesaw Whiskey visit from Atlanta:

Planning StepWhat to ConsiderAtlanta-Specific Tip
Travel TimeDrive from in-town Atlanta to KennesawAdd extra time for I-75 traffic, especially rush hour
Tours & TastingsAvailability, hours, and formatCheck in advance; weekend afternoons can be busier
ID & AgeLegal drinking age requirementsBring a valid, government-issued photo ID
TransportationDriving vs. rideshareArrange a designated driver if you plan to taste
Other StopsFood, parks, or shops nearbyCombine with downtown Kennesaw or Kennesaw Mountain

For anyone in Atlanta wanting to explore local craft whiskey, Kennesaw Whiskey at Lazy Guy Distillery offers a nearby, approachable way to see how Georgia spirits are made and to taste a product that reflects the northwest metro Atlanta area.