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The Tennessee General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring May 21 as International Tennessee Whiskey Day. Historically, the date signifies the state's repeal of the ban on manufacturing alcoholic beverages in Tennessee on May 21, 1937.
For more than seventy-five years after the repeal of Prohibition, only three distillers in three counties were allowed to produce alcohol in the state of Tennessee. That all changed when the laws were relaxed across the state in 2009—and we’re fortunate they did, since it’s allowed a number of new distilleries to come into the market. In and around Nashville, we’ve seen a resurgence of small, family-run distilleries, some of which have ties to distilleries of the past.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have revived a distillery that was started by their great-great-great grandfather and was once one of the largest whiskey producers in the country. At Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, housed inside Marathon Village, you can take a journey back in time to learn about the original distillery with a tour of historical records, articles, advertisements, bottles and pictures, as well a wander through the distillery itself. Afterward, hit the tasting room for samples of their signature products, including Belle Meade Bourbon, Louisa’s Liqueur (named for their great-great-great grandmother, who ran the distillery herself for awhile) and Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, based on the original recipe produced by founder Charles Nelson.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, 1414 Clinton St., Nashville, 615-913-8800, greenbrierdistillery.com
Leiper's Fork Distillery
Leiper's Fork Distillery aims to revive the history and heritage of small batch whiskey production in Williamson County, which was once known for its moonshine. The distillery crafts spirits, moonshine and the area's first locally made bourbon with local ingredients, and uses limestone filtered water to create its signature taste.
Lieper's Fork Distillery, 3381 Southall Rd., Franklin, 615-465-6456, leipersforkdistillery.com
Jack Daniel’s
When you think of Tennessee Whiskey, the first thing that comes to mind? Jack Daniel's (or maybe Chris Stapleton!) of course. Favorites from this popular whiskey brand include Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 and Tennessee Honey, which are both surprisingly produced in a dry county south of Nashville.
Jack Daniel's, 182 Lynchburg Hwy., Lynchburg, jackdaniels.com
Pennington Distilling Co.
Owned by couple Jeff and Jenny Pennington, this distillery in the Nations got its legs with what became a popular coffee companion: Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream. From there, they launched Pickers Vodka, which now comes in a wide variety of flavors, and soon after launched their very own whiskey. Davidson Reserve Rye came out in 2017, and in 2019, they launched Davidson Reserve Tennessee Whiskey, the first to be distilled and released in Nashville since Prohibition. You can tour the sprawling distillery for a look at the process from grain to glass, with final stops at the tasting bar and bottle and gift shop.
Pennington Distilling Co., 900 44th Ave. N., Nashville, penningtondistillingco.com
Nearest Green Distillery
The Nearest Green Distillery was launched by bestselling author and historian Fawn Weaver—when she learned about Nearest Green, a former slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey, Weaver set down the path of creating Uncle Nearest Whiskey with his family’s consent, in homage to Green’s legacy. Set on a former Tennessee Walking Horse farm, the experience offers a tribute to the state’s resources, with nods to its equestrian roots, as well as good music and, of course, whiskey.
Nearest Green Distillery, 3125 Highway 231 N., Shelbyville, unclenearest.com
Nashville Craft
Bruce Boeko had been brewing his own beer and making wine at home for nearly twenty-five years while he spent his career as a forensic scientist and DNA lab director. When he was faced with a corporate relocation in 2010, he decided he wanted to stay—it was time to switch jobs and do the thing that he truly loved. After attending a few professional programs, he opened Nashville Craft Distillery in 2016. Boeko prefers to use ingredients he can find right nearby for his inventive spirits. Stop by the tasting room for a taste of Golden Biscuit Sorghum Spirits, Crane City Gin, or the smooth and sweet Nashville Honey, a spiced honey liqueur. The distillery has also recently released its Traditional Bourbon Whisk(e)y, which is only available if you visit in person.
Nashville Craft, 514 Hagan St., Nashville, 615-457-3036, nashvillecraft.com
Ole Smoky
Joe and Jessi Baker launched Gatlinburg’s Ole Smoky Moonshine in 2010 after leaving their careers in law. Joe, whose family has deep roots in and around Appalachia (and a history making moonshine), started making plans for a moonshine distillery in time for the laws to change in 2009. The business originated in Gatlinburg but quickly exploded and now has several locations, which have become the most visited distilleries in the country. With multiple stages and screens, and a large outdoor living room, it’s a destination for great drinks (you’ll find all twenty-plus flavors of Ole Smoky flavors) and plenty of fun.
Old Smoky, Sixth and Peabody, 423 6thAve. S., Nashville, 865-436-6995, olesmoky.com
Collier and McKeel
This distillery makes its handcrafted Tennessee Whiskey by combining limestone-filtered water with a blend of corn, rye and malted barley before distilling and dripping it through several feet of sugar maple charcoal.
Collier and McKeel, 1200 Clinton St., Nashville, facebook.com
Corsair Distillery
Known for its appreciation of mixology and experimentation, Corsair Distillery creates products like Dark Rye and Triple Smok and has been featured in USA Today and The New York Times.
Corsair Distillery, 1200 Clinton St., #110, Nashville, corsairdistillery.com
George Dickel
After founder George Dickel discovered whiskey was smoother when made in the winter, this distillery continued the method and is the only one in Tennessee to chill its whiskey before charcoal-mellowing.
George Dickel, 1950 Cascade Hollow Rd., Normandy, georgedickel.com
H Clark Distillery
Made in Thompson Station just south of Nashville, the H Clark micro batch distillery features Tennessee Bourbon, a Tennessee Black and Tan, Tennessee Dry Gin and New Whiskey. Tour and taste any day of the week.
H Clark Distillery, 1557 Thompson’s Station Rd.W, Thompson’s Station, hclarkdistillery.com
Old Glory Distilling Co.
Using half-size barrels, the folks at Old Glory speed up the maturation process to dole out delicious small batch whiskeys. They’ve got a rum, vodka and smooth moonshine on tap as well.
Old Glory Distilling Co., 451 Alfred Thun Rd., Clarksville, oldglorydistilling.com
Prichard's Distillery
Made with techniques passed down over five generations, Prichard's products include a selection of whiskeys, rums and liqueurs that Nashvillians can check out close to home at Fontanel, or in Kelso, Tennessee.
Prichard's Distillery, 11 Kelso Smithland Rd., Kelso; 105 Whites Creek Pk., Nashville, TN, prichardsdistillery.com
Short Mountain Distillery
Short Mountain Distillery sells authentic Tennessee Moonshine as well as organic bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. The Cannon County distillery also has a restaurant attached, serving up Souther cuisine in a casual setting.
Short Mountain Distillery, 8280 Mountain Spirits Ln., Woodbury, shortmountaindistillery.com
Southern Pride Distillery
Since March 2012, Southern Pride has been using locally grown corn milled directly at the distillery and their own natural spring water to create six moonshine and five whiskey varieties.
Southern Pride Distillery, 108 Smith Mill Rd., Fayetteville, southernpridedistillery.com