Snapshot: Tennessee Whiskey Trail | Listen

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Follow the Tennessee Whiskey Trail to discover history, culture, and plenty of smooth pours

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail will not only have you sipping quality whiskey and bourbon from Memphis to Bristol, with more than 30 stops along the way, but also give you a true taste of the Volunteer State. Each stop will deepen your understanding of this beloved dark liquor, and Tennessee’s history with it, as you meet with distillers and tour both new and longstanding distilleries, which welcome everyone from whiskey beginners to die-hard collectors. For a bite-sized experience, here are a handful of distilleries to add to the top of your list. Grab a trail “passport” at any Tennessee Whiskey Trail distillery or sign up for a digital passport at tnwhiskeytrail.com.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Nashville

Kick things off at one of the most-visited distilleries in Music City: Nelson’s Green Brier. Founded by brothers Charlie and Andy Nelson after the two discovered a family history in the industry, the distillery set out to revive the brands crafted by the Nelsons’ great-great-great-grandfather. A tour here involves family lore and stories about historic trailblazers, like Louisa Nelson, who ran the distillery before women had the right to vote. The on-site restaurant and bar is open for lunch and brunch and offers exceptional cocktails and Southern-inspired fare like duck-fat cornbread and deviled eggs. greenbrierdistillery.com

Nearest Green Distillery

Shelbyville

Nearest Green Distillery pays tribute to Nathan “Nearest” Green, the Black man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. Their bottling facility and welcome center opened in 2019—and now, the site is home to Humble Baron, the ambitious cocktail bar and live music venue. Quite literally the world’s longest bar, it’s 518 feet of barrel-stave-lined bar space that wraps around the room and ensures that every seat has sightlines to the stage, where live music is on at all hours. The Death & Co.-designed cocktail menu shows off Uncle Nearest whiskies and other spirits in beverages like the Moonwalking in Calabasas (Uncle Nearest 1856, lemon oleo, Averna, egg white, and rhubarb bitters) while the all-day menu includes sauteed crab claws in brown butter and oven-roasted meatballs with creamy ricotta. Don’t skip the tour, which starts with a film showcasing the distillery’s history, takes you around the property and into the barrel rooms, and ends with a tasting. unclenearest.com

Jack Daniel’s Distillery

Lynchburg

Drive 25 minutes south to Lynchburg, where you’ll find the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead and Jack Daniel’s Distillery, established in 1866. Take an official tour of Jack Daniel’s to explore this engaging operation, from spring water to barrel to bottle. Along the way, try the frozen whiskey drink, served out of a food cart, then finish with a tasting where you’ll learn how to sip whiskey for the best experience, embracing the heat and letting the liquor roll down your throat. They’re strict on entry times, so come early and explore the gift shop while you wait—and don’t forget your ID. jackdaniels.com

Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery

Chattanooga

Head southeast to Chattanooga Whiskey, cofounded by local Tim Piersant in 2011. Piersant lobbied for “The Whiskey Bill,” which passed in 2013, allowing whiskey to be distilled in the city for the first time in a century. When you walk in, you’ll see the distillery’s history painted on the wall, including the opening in March 2015 as the only stand-alone experimental distillery in the US. Book a tour for a rundown of the distilling equipment; step downstairs to experience the pleasant, distinct scent of the barrels as they age; and enjoy a flight upstairs at the bar. chattanoogawhiskey.com

Gate 11 Distillery

Chattanooga

Just across Market Street from Chattanooga Whiskey is Gate 11 Distillery, a small-batch operation that produces whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, agave, and absinthe in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station. Stop by for a tour or tasting to get a feel for this family-owned operation, and check out the cocktail bar where live music acts are hosted several times a week and drinks are crafted with housemade syrups and infusions. With a focus on flavor, quality, and creativity, Gate 11 is often coming out with new spirits for regulars and newcomers to enjoy. gate11distillery.com

Company Distilling

Townsend

Almost to the North Carolina border, Townsend is home to Company Distilling, which brews beer and distills whiskey. The distillery was founded in 2020, inspired by a growing need for “company” during the pandemic. The menu features bourbon, gin, vodka, and whiskey cocktails; beer; and snacks like charcuterie and pimento cheese and crackers. A tour and tasting give an inside look at the distillery’s process for making both beer and whiskey and a sample of their latest creations. The distillery also offers a bottle shop, trivia nights, outdoor games, and live music. companydistilling.com