Top 5 Whiskey Stops for True Tennessee Sips
For those who like their history with a splash of 90-proof. Tennessee’s whiskey scene offers a rich pour of tradition and rebellion. Sure, Tennessee whiskey may be synonymous with a certain famous label from Lynchburg (we all know Jack), but this state’s love affair with whiskey runs deeper than just one brand. From craft distilleries redefining the rules to heritage names revived from the ashes of Prohibition, the Volunteer State is overflowing with character (and characters) in every barrel. Here are five must-sip whiskey stops that prove Tennessee whiskey is more than just Jack Daniel’s – it’s a whole spirit of its own, served neat with a side of local pride.
1. Nashville Barrel Co. – The New Spirit of Tennessee
Nashville Barrel Co. has shot to the top of the whiskey scene so fast you’d think it was fired from a cannon. Founded just a few years ago, this Nashville upstart is already collecting awards that make the old guard sit up and notice. In 2024, two of its cask-strength “Nashtucky” bottles (a nod to blending Nashville and Kentucky swagger) ranked among the Top 5 whiskeys in the country – not too shabby for a newcomer!
Founded in 2018 by whiskey enthusiasts Mike Hinds and James Davenport, Nashville Barrel Co. emerged from a shared passion for quality spirits and the camaraderie they inspire. Mike, with over two decades in logistics and a history of raising millions for cancer research, brings visionary leadership to the operation. James, a Navy veteran with a decade of retail experience in Nashville’s liquor scene, serves as the Chief Blender and Single-Barrel Samurai, guiding guests through personalized barrel selections.
Their approach centers on hand-selecting single barrels that offer robust, full-flavored, barrel-strength whiskeys. This commitment to quality over quantity has quickly garnered attention, making their offerings highly sought after by whiskey aficionados nationwide.
And let’s not forget Stella, the 4-year-old miniature Goldendoodle affectionately known as “The Boss.” Stella keeps the team on their toes and adds a welcoming touch to the distillery’s atmosphere.
What makes Nashville Barrel Co. special? Think small-batch creativity with big Tennessee flavor: they source stellar barrels, blend with a master’s touch, and bottle at bold proofs, capturing the new spirit of Tennessee whiskey in every pour. It’s a rising star that proves some of the best whiskey in Tennessee isn’t from a centuries-old recipe, but from fearless innovation happening right now.
2. Nelson’s Greenbrier – A Family Whiskey Legacy Reborn 
Before Prohibition tried to snuff out Tennessee’s whiskey flame, Nelson’s Green Brier was blazing bright. In the late 1800s, Charles Nelson’s distillery was so successful that his wife Louisa took over and grew it into one of the largest whiskey operations in the nation. They were shipping Tennessee whiskey around the world until 1909, when the state’s ban on booze forced a shutdown.
For almost 100 years, Green Brier was just a fading legend. Then, in one of Tennessee’s greatest comeback stories, Andy and Charlie Nelson (Charles’s great-great-great grandsons) resurrected the family distillery exactly a century after it closed. They even released a special “First 108” whiskey to celebrate the 108-year gap between the last pre-Prohibition bottling and the first new batch.
Today, the revived Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville once again produces Tennessee whiskey with the Nelsons’ original recipe, complete with the Lincoln County Process and a wheated mash bill just like old Charles used. Take a sip and you’ll taste more than vanilla and spice – you’ll taste a bold piece of Tennessee history, saved from the brink and brought back to life.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
3. George Dickel – Mellow Tennessee Tradition Perfected
If Jack Daniel’s wrote the book on Tennessee whiskey, George Dickel went ahead and edited it to perfection (in ink). Operating from Cascade Hollow since the 1870s, Dickel takes the classic charcoal-mellowing process and cranks it up a notch. They drip their whisky – and yep, they spell it “whisky” without the ‘e’, in proud Scotch style – through gigantic 13-foot vats of sugar-maple charcoal, after chilling it down to 40°F for extra smoothness.
That extra chill-filter step is a Dickel exclusive, and many believe it’s why their sippin’ whisky comes out so velvety. Old George Dickel himself felt his product was as smooth as any Scotch, which is exactly why he insisted on the Scottish spelling.
Over the decades, Dickel has quietly perfected the mellow Tennessee profile – a little sweeter, a little softer, and oh-so-easy to sip. When you taste that caramel-oak glow with a hint of maple, you’ll know you’re in whiskey heaven, courtesy of a distillery that truly mastered the mellow.
4. Leiper’s Fork Distillery – Reviving Tennessee’s Whiskey Heritage
Nestled in Williamson County, Leiper’s Fork Distillery is on a mission to resurrect the lost art of small-batch whiskey production that once flourished in Tennessee’s hills and hollows. Since filling their first barrel in 2016, they’ve been committed to crafting premium whiskeys using local, non-GMO grains sourced within a 10-mile radius of the distillery.
Embracing pre-Prohibition techniques, Leiper’s Fork utilizes pot stills—a nod to traditional whiskey-making methods. Their Tennessee Whiskey undergoes the renowned Lincoln County Process, where the spirit is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging, imparting a distinctive smoothness.
Their expressions, including the Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon, are aged for four years and crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The result? Whiskeys that not only honor the past but also offer a rich, complex profile appreciated by modern palates.
5. Uncle Nearest – Honoring the Legend of Nearest Green
Mention Uncle Nearest in Tennessee and you’re talking about righting history’s wrongs with a damn good whiskey. This brand isn’t just a distillery – it’s a tribute to Nathan “Nearest” Green, the Black master distiller who taught a young Jack Daniel the art of charcoal-mellowed whiskey over 150 years ago.
The secret at the heart of Tennessee whiskey – the famous Lincoln County Process of filtering spirit through sugar maple charcoal – came from Nearest Green’s know-how.
Today, the Uncle Nearest distillery carries that tradition forward with pride, using the very same process to create top-shelf Tennessee whiskey. In fact, Uncle Nearest has become one of the most awarded American whiskeys of the modern era, snagging dozens of honors since its 2017 debut.
The result is a smooth, rich whiskey that’s as much about story as it is about sip. Raise a glass to Uncle Nearest – where every drop is a toast to “the best whiskey-maker the world never knew,” finally getting his due.
🥃 Cheers to Tennessee’s diverse and rebellious whiskey culture! In the end, the story of Tennessee whiskey isn’t just trapped in one distillery’s barrels – it’s alive and well in places like these five and many more. Each pour tells a tale of heritage, innovation, and defiance of the ordinary. So here’s a toast to all the renegade distillers and legacy keepers who make our whiskey scene so rich: may it always flow as bold and free as the folks who craft it.
Cheers, y’all!