Open Roads And
ROLLING HILLS
Middle Tennessee, which includes cities such as Nashville and Clarksville and nearby charming small towns, offers a wide variety of experiences that are close to Tennessee whiskey distilleries. You could easily spend a week visiting the distilleries in and near Nashville which is perfect for a weekend getaway or a long summer vacation.
Middle Tennessee may be home to some of the world’s most recognizable alcohol brands like Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel Tennessee whiskey, but you can also discover local hidden gems as some of the smallest “craft distillers” are located in this region of Tennessee.
Some distilleries are cool, urban hangouts in downtown Nashville; some local distilleries are tucked away in the hills and forests near waterfalls and state parks, and other rural distilleries are eclectic, honky tonk-inspired hangouts that scream Americana. One thing’s for sure: no matter which Tennessee distillery you visit, you’ll always find a unique experience.
Clarksville Area
In Clarksville, Tennessee, about 40 miles north near Nashville, you’ll find Old Glory Distilling Co., a small batch artisan distillery right off of Interstate 24, one of the fun things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee. Inside, you can take an immersive tour that’ll show you the many barrels of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey aging, and enjoy a taste of the handcrafted spirits including vodka. After your tour and tasting, stay for free live music in Silo Park as well as cocktails at the outdoor Silo Bar with firepits and plenty of seating.
Old Glory Distilling Restaurant has an extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails and spirit-infused dishes like the Bourbon French onion soup, 8-hour oak stave smoked prime rib and the 16-hour oak stave smoked brisket with bourbon barbecue sauce. Continue exploring things to do in Clarksville, Tennessee include marveling at Native American cave drawings on a tour at Dunbar Cave State Park, taking Instagram-worthy pictures at the murals and public art around downtown, local boutique shopping, learning about the Civil War at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and much more. If you want to spend a weekend in Clarksville, there are a number of boutique AirBnBs and hotels in Clarksville to choose from. Or, head south on I-24 toward Nashville.
Nashville Area
If you’re looking for a great distillery in Nashville, you have many options, each one different from the next. Start at Nashville Barrel Co. where you can have a dram, a bottle, or buy a barrel. Heading east into town you’ll want to stop at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and Tennessee Legend Distillery which are all within walking distance of each other in the North Gulch Nashville neighborhood. Just a short drive away, Far Better Distillery located within the Nashville Farmers’ Market offers an easy next stop for a taste of Nashville’s craft spirits scene and a chance to explore one of the city’s favorite local gathering spots.
After touring, tasting, and collecting your stamp at those fine establishments, stop in and check out the Ole Smoky Distillery location in the SoBro neighborhood of Nashville. The 6th and Peabody Nashville location includes lawn games, live music, moonshine tastings and a full bar of handcrafted spirits. From there, it’s an easy stroll to Big Machine Distillery on Lower Broadway for a uniquely Nashville experience featuring Blend Your Own Bourbon workshops and daily live original music.
Just a bit farther south in the Berry Hill Nashville neighborhood is Big Machine Distillery & Tavern, where you can sample their moonshines and whiskeys in a variety of flavors. Fill your vacation with iconic things to do in Nashville like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, conveniently located in downtown Nashville. Cheer on Nashville SC at a Nashville soccer game at Geodis Park. And, dine at some of the best places to eat in Nashville including Michelin star restaurants like Bastion and Locust as well as beloved restaurants like Prince’s Hot Chicken, Arnold’s Country Kitchen for traditional meat-and-three, and Peg Leg Porker for slow-smoked barbecue and spirit tasting at Peg Leg Porker Spirits located 4 miles from the restaurant.
Franklin Area
If You’re in the mood for some hand-crafted whiskey in a quiet, yet vibrant town, head south to Franklin, Tennessee, located 21 miles south of Nashville, Tennessee, where you’ll love meandering among the shops in buildings dating as far back as 1799 along historic Main Street.
Step into Stable Reserve Distillery where you can enjoy a private guided tasting of the self-produced spirits, blend your own bourbon and enjoy live music. Sip on coffee, cocktails, seasonal bourbons and even enjoy an Espresso Martini tree that includes 12 mini martinis where you can try up to 3 styles of espresso martinis.
A few steps away is Leiper’s Fork’s House of Spirits, a laidback hangout space with live music, a bar full of Leiper’s Fork Distillery spirits and a menu of seasonal culinary offerings that adds to the wide range of Franklin, Tennessee restaurants. Here, you can do a Leiper’s Fork Distillery tasting, enjoy mocktails, cocktails and savor blackened salmon, smoked pork tenderloin and loaded brisket skins as well as dark chocolate Budino and banana foster pound cake.
Take a country drive to the small town of Leiper’s Fork to visit Leiper’s Fork Distillery – a destination that focuses on bringing back the art of small-batch distillation using premium, local ingredients, cocktails at the outdoor bar as well as firepits, plenty of space to hangout, lawn games and live music. Just a mile west is downtown Leiper’s Fork, a charming stop where you can find farmers, tourists, songwriters, and country music stars alike roaming the streets.
Just south of Franklin in the charming town of Thompson’s Station, Company Distilling invites guests to sip Tennessee-crafted spirits inside a beautifully restored grain warehouse once used by local farmers generations ago along the railroad line. Blending rich history with modern hospitality, it’s a laidback gathering place where visitors can slow down, savor cocktails and experience the spirit of small-town Tennessee.
Woodbury Area
Heading east from Franklin, Tennessee, you’ll pass through the city of Murfreesboro, and then a few more miles east and you’ll arrive at Short Mountain Distillery in the small town of Woodbury, about 54 miles near Nashville. Short Mountain Distillery is a craft, small-batch distillery located in the heart of Middle Tennessee crafting authentic Tennessee moonshine, organic Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, and other authentic and original spirits.
Their 400-acre farm rests among stunning rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, offering a beautiful nature escape. Continue exploring the surrounding rural area with a waterfall hike at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park. You’ll experience quiet natural trails that lead to waterfalls and a history lesson of the Native Americans who lived in the area.
South Central Tennessee
Continue your tour of Tennessee whiskey distilleries along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail about 73 miles south near Nashville. Start your day at the Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. hidden away in Cascade Hollow surrounded by 600 protected acres of forest and crystal-fresh springs.
Since 1870, the distillery has been faithful to the Tennessee whisky recipe George A. Dickel created and perfected. They continue to craft George Dickel Whisky just as it was made then — Handmade the Hard Way. After your guided tour, enjoy a tasting of George Dickel spirits including George Dickel Foundation Recipe, George Dickel Signature Recipe, George Dickel Bourbon & George Dickel Barrel Select.
While you’re in the area, stop by the world-famous Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, located about 80 miles south near Nashville. While Lynchburg, Tennessee is a dry county, you can enjoy a tour and tasting of some Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey and flavored whiskey as part of your Jack Daniel’s tour. It’s one of the top things to do in Lynchburg, TN and can’t be missed. After, head to downtown Lynchburg for a meat-and-three meal at the famous Miss Mary Bobo’s as well as live music, cocktails, craft beer and whiskey at Company Distilling.
About 55 miles west of Jack Daniel Distillery is the original Big Machine Distillery in Lynnville, Tennessee, about 67 miles south near Nashville. Big Machine Distillery is a perfect spot to try some of Tennessee’s best hand-crafted, small-batch artisan spirits, which are entirely produced and finished on-site.
The dog-friendly distillery includes 28 acres of scenic beauty, cocktails and outdoor space where live music is performed. Book the Bottle Your Own Experience where you can bottle your own Double Gold Award-winning Platinum-filtered Big Machine Vodka or the award-winning Single Barrel Clayton James Tennessee Whiskey straight from the barrel. You get to put the finishing touches on a special limited edition bottle, a great souvenir for your adventure along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
More Trips & Trail Routes
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