The Ultimate Guide to Distillery Tours in Nashville, TN
Tennessee is world-famous for its whiskey and craft distilling traditions. This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know about Nashville’s local distilleries, nearby hidden gems, and the iconic stops further afield. Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or just exploring for fun, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable experience.
Distilleries in Nashville
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
About: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery revives the legacy of Charles Nelson, a pioneer in Tennessee Whiskey production. This historic distillery offers a journey into pre-Prohibition whiskey-making, with modern innovations that honor its past.
Address: 1414 Clinton St, Nashville, TN 37203
Hours:
- Restaurant: Wednesday-Saturday: 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Bar: Sunday-Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour ($25): Explore the rich history, tour the production floor, and enjoy tastings of four premium spirits.
- Private Tours: Customizable experiences for groups.
Food & Drink: A Southern-inspired menu with specialties like Wagyu steak, smash burgers, and boozy milkshakes.
Nashville Barrel Co
About: Nashville Barrel Co, launched by three whiskey enthusiasts in 2018, swiftly gained popularity for its exceptional single-barrel selections. By 2021, growing demand led to the opening of their own distillery. They specialize in cask strength bourbon, rye, and rum, celebrated for bold flavors and innovative blending.
Locations and Hours:
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Main Facility: 222 Fesslers Lane, Nashville, TN 37210
- Mon-Thurs: 9am-5pm, Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 11am-5pm
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Tasting Room: 425 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
- Contact: 615-669-0083,
Experiences and Tours:
- Distillery/Rectifier Tour: Discover the art of blending and bottling with a chance to taste innovative spirits ($20).
- Premium Tasting: A guided tasting session exploring award-winning spirits at cask strength ($50).
- Blend Your Own Whiskey: Craft a unique bottle by selecting from different mash bills and styles ($150, includes a bottle).
- Bottle Your Own from the Barrel: Bottle your whiskey with a custom label, available as an add-on to any experience.
Corsair Distillery
About: Founded in 2008, Corsair is a pioneer in Nashville’s craft spirits revival. Known for bold and unconventional flavors, including quinoa whiskey and barrel-aged gin, Corsair pushes boundaries while maintaining a strong local focus.
Address: 1200 Clinton St #110, Nashville, TN 37203
Hours:
- Monday: 12 PM - 7 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday-Sunday: 12 PM - 7 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour & Tasting ($18): A 30-minute tour of the distillery, including a look at production equipment and tastings of five spirits.
- Guided Spirit Tastings: Drop in for a guided flight to learn about Corsair’s innovative creations.
- Taproom & Bar: Enjoy craft cocktails, local beers, and fresh-baked pizza.
Ole Smoky at 6th & Peabody
About: Ole Smoky is one of Tennessee’s most iconic moonshine distilleries, offering a dynamic experience that pairs whiskey and moonshine tastings with beer from YeeHaw Brewing, live music, and a beer garden.
Address: 423 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
Hours:
- Monday-Tuesday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday-Sunday: 11 AM - 11 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Regular Tasting ($10): Includes moonshine, whiskey, YeeHaw beer, and a $10 coupon.
- Premium Tasting ($13): Adds three extra samples to the regular tasting.
- Guided Tour ($25): A behind-the-scenes tour with 13 tastings.
Food & Drink: Enjoy tacos from White Duck and hot dogs from Daddy’s Dogs while playing cornhole in the beer garden.
Far Better Distillery
About: Far Better Distillery offers hands-on mixology events, blending parties, and custom spirits with a focus on small-batch craftsmanship and a fun, intimate atmosphere.
Address: 330 Harrison Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Hours: Private events only; public hours vary.
Unique Experiences:
- Host mixology classes, charcuterie workshops, or whiskey blending parties.
- Sample moonshine and whiskey crafted on-site.
Big Machine Brewery & Distillery
About: Located in the heart of downtown, Big Machine combines vibrant nightlife with award-winning spirits like Platinum Filtered Vodka. Known for live music and custom bottling experiences, this distillery captures the energy of Nashville.
Address: 122 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
Hours:
- Sunday-Wednesday: 11 AM - 8 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM - 12 AM
- Friday-Saturday: 11 AM - 2 AM
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour ($20): Learn about the production process and enjoy tastings.
- Bottle Your Own Experience: Create a custom bottle of vodka or whiskey.
Tennessee Legend Distillery
About: Specializing in flavored moonshine and whiskey, Tennessee Legend Distillery brings a welcoming and fun atmosphere to Nashville’s distilling scene.
Address: 1310 Clinton St #115, Nashville, TN 37203
Hours: Daily: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Free Tastings: Sample a wide range of flavored spirits.
- Production Viewing: Watch the process through their production window.
Southern Collective Spirit Company
About: Southern Collective focuses on personalized whiskey and bourbon experiences, including blending and bottling sessions.
Address: 819 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
Hours:
- Saturday: 11 AM - 7 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM - 6 PM
- Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 11 AM - 7 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Blending Session: Create your own custom whiskey.
- Single Barrel Experience: Tap and bottle a unique barrel.
Nashville Craft Distillery
About: Founded by a former DNA scientist, this distillery combines science and art to create unique spirits like sorghum whiskey and seasonal gin.
Address: 514 Hagan Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Hours:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 10 AM - 4 PM
- Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM - 6 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM - 5 PM
Tours & Experiences:
- Distiller-Led Tour ($20): Learn about fermentation and distillation, ending with tastings.
Distilleries Near Nashville
Leiper’s Fork Distillery (45 Minutes from Nashville)
About: Nestled in the hills of Franklin, this boutique distillery focuses on resurrecting the lost art of small-batch whiskey production.
Address: 3381 Southall Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour: Learn about their handcrafted process and taste their premium whiskeys.
Jack Daniel Distillery (1.5 Hours from Nashville)
About: The oldest registered distillery in the U.S., Jack Daniel’s is an iconic stop for whiskey lovers. Located in charming Lynchburg, it’s a must-visit destination.
Address: 133 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg, TN 37352
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour: Daily tours showcase their legendary whiskey-making process.
- Tasting Experiences: Offered from 4 PM - 5 PM daily.
Uncle Nearest Distillery (1.5 Hours from Nashville)
About: Celebrating the legacy of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the first African-American master distiller, this distillery offers award-winning spirits and rich history.
Address: 3125 US-231, Shelbyville, TN 37160
Tours & Experiences:
- Legacy Tour: A deep dive into Nearest Green’s contributions to whiskey-making.
Short Mountain Distillery (1.5 Hours from Nashville)
About: Located about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Nashville in Cannon County, Short Mountain Distillery offers a unique experience with its small-batch moonshine and bourbon production. Set on a scenic 400-acre working farm, the distillery focuses on crafting Organic Tennessee Whiskey, Bourbon Whiskey, Moonshine, and other original spirits.
Address: 8280 Short Mountain Rd, Woodbury, TN 37190
Hours:
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM - 3 PM
- Monday: Closed
Tours & Experiences:
- Distillery Tour: Includes guided tours, tastings, and the option to add a cocktail mixology class
Additional Notes: The restaurant is closed for the winter season, but bottle sales and tastings continue at the distillery.
Consider a Tennessee Whiskey Tour
For a curated experience, Tennessee Whiskey Tours offers bus tours to Jack Daniel’s, Uncle Nearest, and other iconic locations. Enjoy a worry-free ride while diving into Tennessee’s whiskey heritage.
Tips for Your Whiskey Adventure
- Book in Advance: Many tours fill up quickly.
- Enjoy Responsibly: Plan transportation with a rideshare service or a designated driver.
- Explore More: Many distilleries are near attractions like restaurants or parks for a full-day outing.
