From Farm Life to Fine Spirits: Meet the Co-Owner of Leiper’s Fork Distillery
From a gravel road in Leiper's Fork to a new cocktail destination on Main Street in Franklin, Lynlee Kennedy has helped shape one of Middle Tennessee's most beloved whiskey brands. Image: Caleb Chandler
A decade after helping launch Leiper’s Fork Distillery in Leiper’s Fork, Lynlee Kennedy is raising a glass to new chapters. Alongside her husband, Lee, she’s grown the beloved whiskey brand into a Middle Tennessee destination, and they’ve brought that spirit of hospitality to downtown Franklin with House of Spirits. We caught up with Lynlee to talk about building a business with family, life on the farm, her favorite cocktail on the menu, and the advice that keeps her grounded through it all.
You’ve built something really special with Leiper’s Fork Distillery. What inspired its start in 2016?
The vision was really Lee’s from the beginning. He’d always had this dream of building a distillery, and Leiper’s Fork — with its history, its land, its sense of place — was the perfect home for it. We became Franklin’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, which felt meaningful.
My role was helping bring the physical space to life — the cabin design, the landscaping, all the finishing touches that make it feel like you’re stepping into something real, and not just visiting a production facility. We wanted people to feel something when they drove down that gravel road.
What made it the right time to expand into downtown Franklin?
We’d been thinking about it for a while. The distillery in Leiper’s Fork is special because of how removed it feels. It’s this tucked-away experience. But we knew there were people who wanted to connect with what we’re doing in a more accessible, everyday kind of way. Downtown Franklin gave us the chance to meet people where they already are — on Main Street, grabbing dinner, exploring the town. The timing just lined up.
For someone who’s been out to the original distillery, how does House of Spirits feel different?
The distillery is about the land, the process, the slow pace of it all. House of Spirits is its own thing; it’s more intimate, more social. Think of it as the place where you come to experience what we make in a totally different setting. You’re not touring barrels. You’re sitting down, trying something new, having a cocktail you won’t find anywhere else. They complement each other, but they’re distinct experiences.
You’ve called it an “experimental” distillery and cocktail bar. What does that mean for the guest experience?
It means we’re not just pouring the same thing you can get at any whiskey bar. We’re playing with small-batch spirits, unique finishes, seasonal cocktails — things we’re genuinely curious about and excited to share. The bar gives us room to be creative in ways the distillery doesn’t always allow. If we want to try something unexpected, House of Spirits is where that happens. Guests get to be part of that process.
Tennessee whiskey is having a major moment right now. How do you stay rooted in tradition while still keeping things interesting? Do you have a current favorite whiskey from your own lineup?
We never want to chase trends just to chase them. The foundation is always quality and craft. Lee is meticulous about that. But we also don’t believe tradition means standing still. You can honor the process and still push it forward.
That tension between respect and curiosity is what keeps it interesting for us, and hopefully for the people drinking it too. As for a favorite, that’s like picking a favorite child! But I’ll say our small-batch bourbon is something I’m always proud to pour.
Is there a cocktail on the menu that feels especially meaningful to you? What’s the story behind it?
I know we are a whiskey house, but we also serve gin and vodka to expand our cocktail creations. Recently, we added a cocktail named “Worth the Wait.” It’s a beautiful cocktail of fresh lemon and lime juice, house-infused rosemary gin, and simple syrup.
For the two years when we were in construction, I said House of Spirits would be “Worth the Wait.” And that name hit me as a great cocktail name! It’s refreshing, it’s light, and you can get it straight up or over ice. It’s garnished with a fresh rosemary sprig.
If you could share a glass of whiskey with anyone, past or present, who would it be?
I would have loved to share a good pour of our whiskey with both of my grandparents, who went to Heaven before our distillery released its first aged whiskey. I think they would have been proud of what Lee and I have created.
When you aren’t working, where can we find you?
Honestly, the line between work and life is pretty blurry for us — in the best way. But when I do step away, I love being on our family farm. Being in nature, seeing animals, working in my garden, picking fresh flowers, and gathering eggs is really my happy place. I love being outside, being around the animals, and just slowing down.
What’s something about you that might surprise people?
I think most people would be surprised to learn that, in the spring, I am also one of the track coaches at my boys’ school, Battle Ground Academy. I’ve coached for six years, and I have one more year to go until both of my sons are out of high school. Most of my friends and family know that once track season starts, they may not catch up with me until late May. It’s truly an honor, though, to help coach young student athletes.
What’s a piece of advice you’ve gotten (or love to give) that’s really stuck with you?
Pray about everything. Life is so fast, and hard, and stressful. Lee and I do not get to take many breaks from work. When you work with your spouse and own a business, it’s hard to come home and remove yourself from work. But with constant prayer and determination, we seem to somehow still have peace. Focus on your dreams. Work hard. Surround yourself with the right people and ask God for His favor.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Favorite recent book or podcast? I haven’t picked up a book in a while, honestly. But when I do, I always reach for a good mystery. I love something that keeps me guessing.
Go-to local spot for a bite or drink? I mean, I have to say House of Spirits! I’m biased, but that’s the whole point — we built a place we’d actually want to hang out in.
Favorite hidden gem in Nashville? Not sure in my life right now. I hope that once we open our Nashville Yards location, it will be our favorite place, and I will have more of a reason to branch out of Williamson County.
Self-care item you can’t live without? A nightly bath, a good glass of wine, and Netflix. That’s my wind-down. I’m go, go, go all day, so that’s when I finally let my brain turn off and get my daily “be still” time.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.