HELEN, Ga. — R.M. Rose & Company Distillery is bringing more than just spirits to downtown Helen this weekend — it’s bringing generations of North Georgia history.
The family-run distillery will open its new tasting room this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to Jason Wood, at its new location at 8016 S Main St., Suite A1 in Helen.
For the Sudderth family, the opening represents the next chapter in a story that began decades ago in the woods of North Georgia.
A tradition passed down
Andy Sudderth learned the craft of moonshining from his father, George Sudderth, who made liquor in Gwinnett County, particularly in the Sugar Hill area.
“He’s the one that got me started in moonshine,” Sudderth said. “I grew up around it — seeing stills in the woods and learning how it was done back in the day.”
After working as a carpenter and in metalwork, Sudderth said he felt called back to the family tradition.
“As I got older, I said we needed to get back to the old family tradition and start making moonshine,” he said. “That’s when we came out with our products, including Fire on the Mountain, and that’s where we really took off.”
George Sudderth, now in his late 80s, said he is proud to see what the business has become.
“Good — very good,” he said. “That wasn’t the plan when it started, but it’s great.”
Reviving a historic brand
Sudderth launched the modern business in Dillard, drawn by its appeal as a destination for travelers.
At the same time, he revived the R.M. Rose name — a historic distillery brand that originated in Atlanta in 1867 and disappeared during Prohibition in 1917.
“About 100 years later, we brought it back,” Sudderth said.
The operation later moved its distilling to Mt. Airy, where production continues today, while the brand has grown through word of mouth and a loyal customer base across the Southeast.
Why Helen — and why now
The move to Helen came after the distillery left its original Dillard location following a change in property ownership. From there, the family focused on production while searching for the right place to expand.
“It took almost two years just to find a spot,” Wood said. “Getting connected with property owners was a challenge, and even when we did, there weren’t any available locations at first.”
The eventual location — a former grocery store on Main Street — stood out immediately.
“When that opened up, we knew that was the spot,” Wood said. “For this part of town, it’s about as good as you’re going to get.”
Even after securing the space, it took another year to navigate permitting and licensing requirements.
“In Georgia, you can’t apply for liquor licenses until you have a location,” Wood said. “So we had to secure the building before we could even start that process.”
Helen itself played a major role in the decision.
“It’s the third most popular tourist destination in Georgia — Atlanta, Savannah and Helen,” Wood said. “We thought if we could bring something like this here, where you have the foot traffic plus people who already know the brand, it would be a good spot.”
A new generation steps in
Wood, who is married to Sudderth’s daughter, Shanda Wood, said the expansion also reflects a generational handoff within the family.
“Andy’s looking toward retirement, and we’re trying to carry that forward,” he said. “He picked it up from his father, and now it’s our turn to pick it up from him.”
Shanda Wood said the distillery’s local roots are a key part of its identity.
“It’s all Northeast Georgia — the family history, the R.M. Rose history,” she said. “Locals appreciate that, and people visiting can take a piece of that Georgia history with them.”
A different kind of experience
In a town known for lively bars and entertainment, the R.M. Rose tasting room aims to offer something different.
“When you walk in here, it’s about stepping back in time,” Jason Wood said. “It’s not going to be a sports bar. You’re not going to see a bunch of TVs.”
Instead, visitors will find a space designed to feel like an old saloon, with country music, vintage-style décor and walls lined with photos telling the family’s story.
“We want people to feel like they’re tasting that history,” Wood said. “Everything you’re drinking here, we make. It all comes from that family tradition.”
Sudderth, who helped build out the interior, said the look is intentional.
“I like to make everything look old,” he said. “I don’t want it all polished up where nobody can touch it. I like something people can come in and feel comfortable around.”
Built on story — and spirits
The tasting room will feature a wide range of products, from traditional moonshines to flavored offerings and bourbons.
Some, including newer releases, are currently exclusive to the Helen location.
Sudderth said many of the recipes are tied to family history, including flavors inspired by his grandmother and others passed down through generations.
“The moonshine brands come from him,” Sudderth said of his father. “But the newer products — that’s something we came up with as we built the company.”
Fitting into Helen’s tourism scene
The family believes the tasting room will complement Helen’s tourism-driven economy by offering visitors a more immersive experience.
“It’s something fun you can do with your friends or family,” Wood said. “You come in, you sample the whiskeys, and you hear the history.”
Sudderth said storytelling often becomes part of the experience.
“When people come in, they want that experience,” he said. “Once we start telling the stories, people gather around and listen. They’ll stay 30 minutes to an hour just hearing the history.”
The concept, Wood added, has proven successful in other destinations.
“We’ve seen it work in places like Gatlinburg,” he said. “We think it fits here too.”
Looking ahead
While production remains in Mt. Airy, Wood said the Helen location could expand in the future.
“If things go well, maybe next year or the year after, we could put a still here,” he said.
For now, the focus is on opening the doors and sharing the family’s story with visitors.
From backwoods stills to a Main Street storefront, the Sudderths say the mission remains the same.
“It’s all about family and history,” Wood said. “If people can feel that when they walk in, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
