The role of Tennessee distilleries in the state’s economic and cultural history is undeniable. Even after Prohibition ended in 1933, the distilling industry didn’t immediately bounce back to its former glory. It wasn’t until 2009, when a new law passed, that old distilleries were reopened or revitalized, and new ones began laying their groundwork.
Today, Tennessee’s impressive lineup of craft distilleries embodies the industry’s rich history and longevity, but they also make for a fun way to spend a day off! While we’re not covering the entire lineup today, we’ve rounded up a list of distilleries that open their doors — and bottles — for unique visitor experiences, offering folks an up-close-and-personal look at their distilling processes.
Big Machine Distillery
Locations: Lynnville, TN + Nashville, TN
Spirits: Big Machine Vodka, Clayton James Tennessee Whiskey, and All Mighty Moonshine
More info:Â bigmachinevodka.com
About one hour outside of Nashville is the backbone of Big Machine Distillery. Previously known as Tenn South, the distillery started as a dream between a radiologist and an engineer who set out to make fine whiskey. After a few years of success, music mogul Scott Borchetta purchased the 28-acre micro-distillery in Lynnville. While the brand’s moonshine and maple-inspired whiskey are not to be missed, the vodka is what originally put Big Machine on the map. Made using a one-of-a-kind platinum filtration system, it’s said to be one of the smoothest vodkas on the market.
Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel Tennessee Whisky)
Location: Tullahoma, TN
Spirits: Bourbon, George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration Blend, Bottled in Bond, Rye, 9-Year Single Barrel Select, 15-Year Single Barrel Select, Barrel Select, 17-Year Old Reserve, Signature Recipe, Classic Recipe, and White Foundation Recipe
More info:Â georgedickel.com
George A. Dickel was a man with his hand in the early days of the whisky (George preferred this Scottish spelling) business in Nashville. It’s only fitting his legacy is still alive today in the form of George Dickel Tennessee Whisky. Many of the brand’s most popular spirits are Tennessee whiskies, meaning they go through charcoal mellowing (which Kentucky bourbons do not). It’s recommended that you enjoy these spirits in classic cocktails (think Manhattan and Old Fashioned), neat, or on the rocks. The brand’s distillery — dubbed Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. — offers an inside look at how this legendary spirit is crafted.
Chattanooga Whiskey — Experimental Distillery
Location: Chattanooga, TN
See the complete list of spirits HERE
More info:Â chattanoogawhiskey.com
Chattanooga Whiskey is the city’s first distillery to craft whiskey in over 100 years! Since 2015, the brand’s experimental distillery has explored the past, present, and future of craft distilling. In addition to a vast collection of Tennessee High Malts (whiskey made from a variety of at least 25% specialty malted grains), the brand also frequently releases limited edition spirits as part of its “Experimental Batches.” Previous whiskeys have been infused with everything from honey to cacao, mint, and citrus.
Company Distilling
Locations: Thompson’s Station, TN + Townsend, TN
Spirits: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin, Seismic Rye Single Barrel, and Ace Gap products (Harvest Apple, Blackberry, Chocolate Truffle, Coconut, Espresso, Oatmeal Cookies, Peach, and Vanilla Bean)
More info:Â companydistilling.com
Company Distilling is built on the promise that once you sip one of their spirits, you will immediately know something is different about them. Founded in August 2014 and previously known as H Clark Distillery, Company Distilling became the first legal distillery in southern Williamson County in over 100 years. Today, the distillery is led by the founder Heath Clark, Jeff Arnett (former Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller), and Kris Tatum (former president of the Tennessee Distillers Guild and co-owner of Old Forge Distillery). While the brand still crafts spirits in the same Thompson’s Station building where local farmers used to house grains, they also opened a second location in Townsend in 2022.
Corsair Distillery
Location: Nashville, TN
Spirits: Dark Rye (American Rye Malt Whiskey), Triple Smoke (American Single Malt Whiskey), American Gin (Pot Distilled American Gin), and Barreled Gin (Pot Distilled American Gin)
More info:Â corsairdistillery.com
As many do, this story starts in a garage. Darek Bell and Andrew Webber, longtime friends, began brewing beer and wine but quickly took an interest in whiskey. Today, they have moved out of Darek’s garage and into a Marathon Village distillery where they make small-batch gin and whiskey under the name Corsair Distillery. In addition to spirits, the Marathon Village location offers a lineup of local beers, a cocktail bar, fresh pizza, a tasting bar, and a bottle shop. You can also visit the brand’s headquarters in Wedgewood-Houston, home to a spacious outdoor deck with games.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Location: Lynchburg, TN 37352
Spirits: Old No. 7, Single Barrel, Gentleman Jack, Bonded, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, and Tennessee Apple
More info:Â jackdaniels.comÂ
A well-known name in the whiskey world, Jack Daniel’s Distillery has been making whiskey for more than 150 years — and it all started with the signature charcoal-mellowed Old No. 7. Today, the brand has six additional whiskey variations. Each is made using Jack Daniel’s signature mash recipe: corn, rye, and barley. You can head to Lynchburg to learn more about the history of Jack Daniel’s and try the whiskey for yourself. There are four tour options, and admission starts at $20.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Location: Franklin, TN 37064
Spirits: TN Whiskey Bottled in Bond, Bourbon Bottled in Bond, TN Whiskey Single Barrel Cask Strength, Bourbon Single Barrel Cask Strength, LF Straight Rye Whiskey, and Old Natchez Trace TN White Whiskey
More info:Â leipersforkdistillery.com
The history of Tennessee whiskey is celebrated through small-batch production at the family-owned Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Today, the brand creates high-end whiskeys using local ingredients, time-honored techniques, and limestone-filtered water. The retail store and tasting room are inside a 200-year-old log cabin on 27 acres in Leiper’s Fork. Before leaving, be sure to try one of their two staple whiskey brands: Old Natchez Trace White Whiskey and Leiper’s Fork Distillery.
Nashville Craft Distillery
Location: Nashville, TN 37203
Spirits: Crane City Gin, Maple Whisk(e)y, Traditional Bourbon Whisk(e)y, Original Bourbon Whisk(e)y, Golden Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, Nashville Honey Spiced Honey Liqueur
Location:Â nashvillecraft.com
Former DNA laboratory director Bruce Boeko opened Nashville Craft in May 2016, focusing on delicious handcrafted spirits using local ingredients and resources. Today, the brand is known for its gin and sorghum spirits. Most recently, it introduced its Crane City Dry Gin, a traditional London-style dry gin perfect for making cocktails at home. Other popular products include the Golden Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, which features subtle notes of oak and vanilla cake batter, and the Nashville Honey Spiced Honey Liqueur, the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Nearest Green Distillery
Location: Shelbyville, TN 37160
Spirits: 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Straight Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel Whiskey
More info:Â unclenearest.com
Nearest Green Distillery is a 323-acre property that produces products from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Founded in 2017, the brand opened its state-of-the-art distillery in 2019 and quickly started making waves. Named after Nathan “Nearest” Green — who is said to be the first Black master distiller on record in the U.S. — the distillery serves whiskey recipes that date back to the 1800s. Most recently, the distillery opened Humble Baron, a restaurant and entertainment venue that houses the world’s longest bar (measuring 518 consecutive feet!).
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Location: Nashville, TN 37203
Spirits: Tennessee Whiskey, Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon, Louisa’s Liqueur, Belle Meade Bourbon products, Cask Series, and various distillery exclusives
Location:Â greenbrierdistillery.com
Charles Nelson boarded a boat to travel from northern Germany with his father, a soap and candle maker. After his father tragically died aboard the ship, Charles continued the family business of soap and candle making, followed by a stint in the butcher business before becoming the owner of a grocery store selling three staples: coffee, meat, and whiskey. Seeing the success of whiskey sales, Charles began distilling. In 1885, he sold nearly 380,000 gallons of Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Charles’ wife — one of the only women to run a distillery — ran the business after his death before the doors closed during Prohibition.
Nearly a century later, Charles’ two great-great-great-grandsons revitalized the business. With Charles’ original recipes in hand, they have been making Belle Meade Bourbon ever since. Take a tour to learn more about the distillery’s history, how the spirits are made today, and, of course, taste them for yourself.
Old Dominick Distillery
Location: Memphis, TN 38103
Spirits: Formula No. 10 Gin, Honeyball Citrus Vodka, Huling Station Straight Bourbon, Huling Station Straight Wheat, Huling Station Blend, Memphis Toddy, Memphis Vodka
More info:Â olddominick.com
The history of Old Dominick Distillery dates back to the late 1800s when it was founded by an Italian immigrant named Domenico Canale. After landing in Memphis to join his family’s fruit business, he quickly decided he’d rather make whiskey. Fast forward to 2016, when Master Distiller Alex Castle started production again and revived Domenico’s original dream. Today, Old Dominick Distillery handcrafts a variety of spirits, including gin, vodka, bourbon, and Tennessee whiskey.
Pennington Distilling Co.
Location: Nashville, TN 37209
Spirits: Davidson Reserve, Pickers Vodka, Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream, Walton’s Finest Vodka
More info:Â penningtondistillingco.com
Pennington Distilling Co. was established in 2011 and has since nestled in Nashville’s historic Nations neighborhood. They offer bottling, private labeling, and processing services. Pennington has a unique brand, offering everything from sipping cream to vodka. Its inaugural product, Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream, is still around today — and for a good reason. The spirit includes 100% aged Tennessee whiskey, real dairy cream, and more than 30 all-natural flavors.
PostModern Spirits
Location: Knoxville, TN
Spirits: Hi(Rye) Whiskey, Straight Malt Whiskey, (Up)Root Gin, Empirical Dry Gin, Giniferous Gin, Kore Vodka, Subrosa Liqueur, Amaro Alpino Liqueur, Amaro Arancia, Amaro Artemisia Liqueur, Barrel Rested Cacao Liqueur, Elderberry Gin Liqueur, Chamomile Liqueur, Fernet Gallo
More info:Â postmodernspirits.com
PostModern Spirits invites you to forget any preconceived notions you might have about spirits. Working with local makers, the brand takes a unique approach to craft distilling, using flavors and colors from natural ingredients and botanicals. Locally owned and operated, the distillery opened in Knoxville in 2016 with five spirits: Kore Vodka, Giniferous Gin, Empirical Gin, Chamomile Liqueur, and Elderberry Gin Liqueur. Whether your taste in spirits is traditional or modern, you’re sure to find something to satisfy.
Short Mountain Distillery
Location: Woodbury, TN 37190
Spirits: Green Thumb Organic Tennessee Whiskey, Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey, Red Pecker Rye Whiskey, Organic Shine, Prohibition Tea Shine, Apple Pie Shine
More info:Â shortmountaindistillery.com
Tennessee moonshine, organic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon whiskey, and other spirits are crafted on Short Mountain Distillery’s 400-acre farm in Cannon County, TN. Owned and operated by the Kaufman brothers, Short Mountain carries on the tradition of the brothers’ great-grandfather, Jesse Shwayder, and his value of living by The Golden Rule, which you will find on every Short Mountain bottle. You can visit the distillery, café, and tasting room or attend a moonshine mixology cocktail class.
BONUS: Gatlinburg Moonshine Distilleries
Speaking of moonshine and distilleries, we’d be remiss not to mention Gatlinburg and its moonshine when discussing Tennessee distilleries. Home to three popular distilleries, all near one another, you can spend an entire day sampling authentic Tennessee moonshine. Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery (aka “The Holler”) is the most frequented distillery in the U.S., offering unique flavors like Butter Pecan, Banana Pudding Cream, Strawberry Mango Margarita, and many more. (SB Tip: Ole Smoky also has a whiskey distillery in Gatlinburg, which is lovingly referred to as “The Barrelhouse.”)
Not far is Tennessee Shine Co., which offers small-batch moonshine and whiskey. Visit its distillery to learn the in-depth history of moonshine, how it’s made, and how it relates to the world of NASCAR. While there, taste samples of some of the brand’s most popular products, including Big Orange Dreamsicle Moonshine, Espresso Whiskey, and Pigeon Forge Blush Shine Wine.
Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains and open 364 days a year, Sugarlands Distilling Company invites you to sample its spirits, sip on craft cocktails, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of its stillhouse. Combining traditional and modern distilling practices, the brand is known for its delicious moonshines, whiskey, vodka, and canned cocktails.
Cheers! Check out the interactive map below to start mapping out your travels.
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