Graham Arthur
In the small town of Americus, Georgia, there’s a place where tradition and craftsmanship meet — a place called 13th Colony Distilleries. Among the barrels and copper stills, one man stands out for his dedication and passion: Graham Arthur, the head distiller.
Graham didn’t always dream of making whiskey. Growing up, he was more interested in science and the outdoors. But one summer during college, he took a trip to Kentucky and toured a few distilleries. The scent of aging barrels, the bubbling of the mash, and the smooth taste of bourbon sparked something in him. He realized that distilling combined science, history, and creativity — everything he loved.
After studying chemistry and working with a few small distilleries, Graham joined 13th Colony, Georgia’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. It was a perfect match. The company believed in making spirits the old-fashioned way: small batches, local ingredients, and lots of patience. Graham quickly earned a reputation for being thoughtful and precise, always experimenting while respecting tradition.
Every day at 13th Colony, Graham checks temperatures, monitors fermentation, and tests flavors. He works closely with a small team, and they treat each barrel like a work of art. “It’s not just about alcohol,” Graham says. “It’s about capturing the spirit of Georgia.”
Under his guidance, 13th Colony’s whiskey, vodka, and southern bourbon have won national awards. But for Graham, it’s not about fame. It’s about the story behind every bottle — the water from the local spring, the grain from nearby farms, and the hard work of a close-knit team. Nevertheless, the awards keep coming: In fact, since its inception, the awards received by the distillery can hardly be counted, and include 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 ‘Best Georgia Distillery’; 2024 Wine Enthusiast ‘Best Bourbon Under $50’; 2024 Bourbon Junkies ‘Whiskey of the Year’; Sip Awards Double Gold for 2021 and 2022; Double Gold in the SF World Spirits for 2025; tastings.com's Top Bourbon Whiskey for 2022; and in 2023, the distillery’s submission scored an impressive 93 points at the Beverage Tasting Institute.
Grateful for their accolades but not willing to rest on their laurels, Kent Cost, President of 13th Colony, says the craft distillery “was founded to provide unique, high-quality distilled spirits and will continue to pursue that goal into the future. Our goal is not to be the largest but to make the very best spirits.”
“I want people to taste our whiskey and feel connected to something real,” Graham says. “Something rooted in history, made with heart.”
And that’s exactly what he does — one batch at a time.
Graham Arthur still lives in Americus with his dog Bacon
Contributed by Tracy McLemore, Fairview, Tennessee
