Distilleries

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

In Marathon Village, just a few blocks west of the Bicentennial Mall, offers tours, tastings, a store and one of the most elegant bars among distilleries. (Pictured above: Sampling room)

Tennessee Legend Distillery

This Marathon Village store is the retail outpost of a distillery based in Newport, TN which is historically speaking the Moonshine Capital of the state, if not the U.S. They’ve gone legit with a collection which includes various spirits, whiskeys, cream liqueurs and, of course, moonshine. Among their more recent creations: white rum and apple pie moonshine.

Standard Proof Whiskey Company

The alchemists here were bartenders who experimented with concoctions until they met their own high standards. Working with 80-proof rye whiskey, infused flavors include ginger, honeysuckle, mint, pineapple, coffee and pecan. No tours but you can visit the tasting room or sign up for a cocktail class. Live music every Wednesday night 7-10pm.

East

Tennessee Legend

Located in the Opry Mills mall. Really more of a liquor store than distillery except that you can sample their wares if you’re 21+. Their wide-ranging collection includes whiskeys, bourbons, vodka, creme liqueur, rum and moonshine. The latter assortment features flavors such as apple pie, peach, coffee, blackberry and “fiery” mango margarita.

HoneyTree Meadery

It’s amazing what a little research will turn up. This hoppin’ little gathering place is a honey of a discovery. In fact, as mead-lovers know, honey (from their own apiary) is what makes mead mead. They host a surprisingly busy live events schedule including what may be the only fire-dancing exhibition in Nashville.

South

Nashville Craft Distillery

Three options await you at their 514 Hagan Street operation: #1 is the $20 45-minute tour which includes a cocktail and two tastings. #2 is the monthly two-day hands-on distilling workshop offered only on Tuesdays ($500). #3 is to simply purchase their offerings: Nashville Craft Bourbon Whiskey (Original and Traditional recipes), Golden Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit, Crane City Gin, Spiced Honey Liqueur.

Big Machine Distillery and Tavern

In a rather unassuming location–the cottage-heavy retail section of Berry Hill. I wonder if this was a strategic move because there are several popular recording studios nearby.

Diskin Cidery

Nestled into Wedgewood-Houston (WeHo to the cool kids) is Nashville’s first cider house. The line-up of gluten-free variations of the lowly apple constantly evolving. And if you’re thinking, “I sure would like to see a drag show while sipping a crisp cider,” you’re in luck. They’re currently featuring a drag brunch on Sundays.

West

Pennington Distilling Company

Pennington offers tours, tastings and a gift shop. For the tour or tastings, you’ll pay $6 or combine them for $12. Unique to Pennington is a blend-your-own-bottle experience, a hands-on, three-hour adventure priced at $200. There’s also a single-barrel flight tasting with some of their more exclusive offerings that starts at $15 per person. Their brands include Davidson Reserve whiskey, Waltons Finest Vodka,  Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream, Pickers Vodka and a variety of fruit-flavored Pickers canned cocktails and hard sodas.

---

Short Drives

Take a little roadtrip to discover whiskey-makers in the surrounding area.

Leiper’s Fork Distillery

It’s a nice drive through the country to get to Leiper’s Fork. Shop a little, maybe have a meal and take a start-to-finish tour of their small-batch operation. Sample their wares in the 200-year-old tasting room.

Uncle Nearest Distillery

Before Jack Daniels became world famous, an African American man known as Uncle Nearest was known in Shelbyville and throughout the region for working his magic with sour mash. Learn his history, take the tour and sample these wares at a stunningly beautiful facility nicknamed “Malt Disney World.”

Company Distilling

Just 45 minutes south of Nashville in Thompson’s Station, the folks are patiently waiting for perfection in their lines of bourbon, gin and flavored spirits.

George Dickel

Officially known as Cascade Hollow Distilling Company, you’re probably more familiar with the famed brand.  Located in Tullahoma, the distillery has been in business since 1878 and today offers tours, tastings and product.

For a list of all distilleries in the state, visit the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

---

Want to visit the mecca of Tennessee whiskey?

Head to Lynchburg, home of legendary Jack Daniels whiskey. Drive or consult one of these tour providers:

• Tennessee Whiskey Tours
• Viator
• Mint Julep Tours
• Whiskey Trail Tours
• Honky Tonk Party Tours
• Signature Transportation Services