Distilleries: An Overview
Distilleries are facilities where alcoholic spirits are produced through the process of distillation, which involves heating fermented liquids to separate and concentrate alcohol. Tennessee has a rich distilling heritage dating back to early European settlers, and Nashville has experienced a craft distillery renaissance since state laws were relaxed in 2009.
Tennessee Whiskey Tradition
Tennessee is famous for its distinctive approach to whiskey production, which includes several unique characteristics:
Lincoln County Process: Tennessee whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging, giving it a smoother, mellower character than other American whiskeys.
Grain-to-Glass Production: Many Nashville distilleries control the entire process from milling grain to bottling the finished spirit.
Craft Innovation: Modern Nashville distilleries blend traditional techniques with experimental approaches, creating everything from classic bourbon to innovative gins and flavored moonshine.
Top 3 Distilleries in Nashville, TN
1. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Best For: Historic Tennessee whiskey, premium bourbon, and an immersive tour experience.
Philosophy: A resurrection of a legendary pre-Prohibition whiskey brand founded in 1860. Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson revived their great-great-great grandfather’s distillery and original recipes, bringing Tennessee’s oldest whiskey back to life after 100 years.
Services:
Distillery Tours: 45-minute to 1-hour guided tours covering history, production floor walk-through, and premium tasting of 4 seasonal offerings.
Bottle Your Own: Exclusive experience to fill your own whiskey bottle on the barrel warehouse floor.
Elevated Tasting: In-depth whiskey education led by certified Bourbon Stewards with sensory analysis kits.
Restaurant & Bar: Full-service dining with Southern-inspired menu and craft cocktails.
Mercantile Shop: Bottles, limited releases, and merchandise.
Location: 1414 Clinton Street, Nashville, TN 37203 (Marathon Village)
Contact: (877) 654-8088 | greenbrierdistillery.com
Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-6pm, Fri-Sat 11am-7pm (Tours begin on the hour and half hour)
Pricing:
Distillery Tour (21+): $25
Non-Drinkers/Ages 10-20: $20
Military/First Responders: $20
Children 10 and under: Free
Bottle Your Own Experience: $75-$150 (varies by release)
2. Corsair Distillery
Best For: Innovative craft spirits, experimental whiskeys, and a casual taproom atmosphere.
Philosophy: An award-winning grain-to-glass distillery founded by childhood friends Darek Bell and Andrew Webber in 2008. Corsair is known for pushing the envelope in craft spirits with unconventional ingredients and techniques, producing everything from barrel-aged gin to hopped whiskey.
Services:
Distillery Tours: 30-minute walking tours of the production facility featuring a 1920s prohibition-era pot still, followed by 5 spirit tastings.
Taproom & Bar: Craft cocktails, local beers on draft, and fresh-baked pizza.
Tasting Flights: Guided tastings of the full spirit lineup from gin to whiskey.
Bottle Shop: Purchase award-winning spirits and merchandise.
Private Events: Available for rehearsal dinners, holiday parties, and group gatherings.
Location: 1200 Clinton Street, Suite 110, Nashville, TN 37203 (Marathon Village)
Contact: (615) 200-0320 | corsairdistillery.com
Hours: Tue-Fri 12pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-7pm (Closed Monday)
Tour Times: Tue-Fri 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm; Sat-Sun 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm
Pricing:
Tour with Tasting: $8
Tour with Tasting + Souvenir Glass: $10
Children/Non-Drinkers: $10 (12 and under free)
Cocktails: $8-$14
3. Ole Smoky Distillery (6th & Peabody)
Best For: Moonshine tastings, lively atmosphere, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.
Philosophy: Bringing the Appalachian roots of the Smoky Mountains to downtown Nashville. As the first legally licensed distillery in Tennessee since Prohibition (2009), Ole Smoky combines traditional moonshine recipes with modern innovation, offering 25+ creative moonshine flavors and 17 whiskey varieties.
Services:
Distillery Tours: Guided tours of the on-site moonshine distillery.
Moonshine Tastings: Sample a variety of moonshine flavors from classic corn whiskey to fruit-infused varieties.
Whiskey Tastings: Premium whiskey selections including barrel-aged options.
Yee-Haw Brewing: Partner brewery on-site with craft beer flights.
Live Entertainment: Two stages with live music, giant TVs, and outdoor beer garden.
Food Options: White Duck Taco Shop and Daddy’s Dogs on-site.
Games: Cornhole, ping pong, and arcade games.
Location: 423 6th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203 (Downtown/SoBro)
Contact: 6thandpeabody.com
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-10pm, Thu-Sun 11am-11pm
Pricing:
Standard Tasting: Free samples available
Premium Tasting Flight: $10-$15
Cocktails: $8-$14
- Souvenir jars: $15-$30
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon?
Tennessee whiskey must meet all bourbon requirements (51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, made in the USA) but also undergoes the Lincoln County Process, where the spirit is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging. This extra step gives Tennessee whiskey its characteristically smooth, mellow flavor profile.
2. Do I need reservations for distillery tours in Nashville?
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend tours at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. Corsair accepts walk-ins when space is available but suggests booking online. Ole Smoky at 6th & Peabody offers tastings on a walk-in basis, though guided tours may have limited availability.
3. Are Nashville distilleries family-friendly?
Yes, with limitations. Nelson’s Green Brier and Corsair allow children on tours (non-drinking options available), though only guests 21+ may participate in tastings. Ole Smoky at 6th & Peabody is particularly family-friendly with arcade games and outdoor activities, though the bar areas are adults-only.
4. Can I purchase bottles directly at Nashville distilleries?
Yes, all Nashville distilleries have on-site bottle shops where you can purchase their spirits. This is often the only place to find limited releases and distillery exclusives. Some distilleries offer shipping to states that permit alcohol delivery.
5. What should I expect during a typical distillery tour?
Most tours last 30 minutes to 1 hour and include an overview of the distillery’s history, a walk through the production facility (mash cookers, fermentation tanks, stills, barrel warehouses), education on the distilling process, and conclude with a guided tasting of multiple spirits. Knowledgeable guides explain tasting notes and answer questions throughout the experience.