Highlights from The Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Even people who don’t drink have heard of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Its logo is ubiquitous, and in fact it’s the largest selling American whiskey in the world. For decades, Jack Daniel’s made more whiskey than all the distilleries in Kentucky combined. During those years there were only three distilleries in the entire state of Tennessee: Jack Daniel’s, Pritchard’s, and George Dickel’s Cascade Hollow. Today there are close to 70 distilled spirits plants (DSPs) throughout the state, 31 of which are members of the Tennessee Distillers ’ Guild and on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

If you ever want to start a bar fight, take a hardline stance on whether Tennessee whiskey is the same as bourbon. The fact of the matter is that it is not, but it has only been regulated at the Tennessee state level for a little over a decade. Federally, you can make the argument that it’s the same, although when Lem Motlow tried to change the label on Jack Daniel’s to bourbon the Federal government told him no. People have strong opinions on both sides depending on whether you believe the Lincoln County Process adds or takes away flavor.

Nashville

There are more than a dozen distilleries in the Nashville area, making it a prime location for distillery tourism. Some of the highlights in the Nashville area include:

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery - Brothers Charlie and Andy Nelson started this distillery after going with their father to pick up a side of beef and discovering a historical marker about their great-great-great grandfather’s distillery, the Greenbrier Distillery. Brands hailing from this distillery include Green Brier and Nelson Brothers.
Nashville Barrel Company - This nondistiller producer is known for sourcing and blending excellent barrels of whiskey. The tasting room is open to the public and tours are available to learn all about the rectifying business.
Corsair Distillery - Corsair has two locations in Nashville, one distillery and taproom and another that is a larger distillery complete with a still from the 1920s. Corsair is known for experimental whiskeys including malted rye and whiskeys made from unusual grains like triticale, spelt, and buckwheat.

Leiper’s Fork Distillery - Located about 45 minutes outside of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee, this small scale distillery makes spirits with big personality. Local regulations only allow them to make about 25,000 gallons of whiskey each year, which is all done grain-to-glass
Stable Reserve Spirits - Also located in Franklin, this new kid on the block is a nondistiller producer coffee shop with snacks and craft cocktails all located in downtown Franklin.
Big Machine Distillery - While the Nashville location is best known for its vodka, Big Machine also makes Borchetta Bourbon at its location about an hour south. Many of the whiskeys are made using locally-sourced pedigreed and heirloom grains.

South Central

In South-Central Tennessee you’ll find Jack Daniel’s, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail Official Trailhead, and the Nearest Green Distillery.

Pritchard’s Distillery - This distillery has the unusual distinction of being exempt from having to use the Lincoln County Process in its Tennessee Whiskey.

George Dickel’s Cascade Hollow Distillery - One of the oldest distilleries in Tennessee, George Dickel is now under the guidance of Nicole Austin as Master Distiller. Austin released George Dickel’s first bourbon just a few years ago. Read more about the history of the George Dickel Company.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery - You don’t happen upon the Jack Daniel’s Distillery by accident - it takes intention and planning to get there. Despite the difficulty of reaching the largest distillery in Tennessee, they see more than 300,000 visitors a year. Jack Daniel’s Distillery officially renamed Barrel House 114 the “George Green Barrel House” in honor of Nathan “Nearest” Green’s son, George, and the extended Green family, it is the oldest and most prominent barrel house on the distillery grounds,

Uncle Nearest - The Nearest Green Distillery is still under construction and is expected to come online sometime in 2025, but there’s already a bar and restaurant, the Humble Baron, that seats 202 people at the bar, holding a Guinness Book World Record!

Chattanooga

Chattanooga Whiskey Company - The original location is still operating as an experimental distillery, though main operations have moved to a larger location. Chattanooga Whiskey Company was instrumental in getting state laws changed to allow for distilling.

Gate 11 Distilling - Right across the street in the Chattanooga Choo Choo is Gate 11 Distilling, a bar, restaurant, and distillery with live music and a huge selection of spirits from gin to absinthe and three whiskeys, Bourbon, Rye, and American Single Malt.

Memphis

In Memphis, Old Do m inick is a great distillery to check out. In Townsend, Jack Daniel’s alums have opened Company Distilling, a brewstillery bar popular with tourists and locals alike. In the Gatlinburg area, Ole Smoky was the first legal moonshine operation to open up after the state’s distilling laws shifted a little over a decade ago. No matter where you go in the state of Tennessee there’s likely to be a great distillery nearby.

Travel, WhiskeyMaggie KimberlMarch 17, 2025Comment