There’s another side to Music City, and it goes all the way back to the 1800s. Locals here had two things in abundance, limestone-filtered water and corn, and instead of letting all that go to waste, they decided to turn it into something tasty. That’s how Tennessee whiskey was born, and what better place to learn about it than Nashville?
In this post, I’m sharing three popular Tennessee whiskey brands I tasted: Nelson’s Green Brier, Ole Smoky, and Jack Daniel’s. One is the state’s oldest whiskey names and one is the most famous one. I’ll also touch on a few important points from the history and some recommendations for your own visit. You can read all about the rest of my trip in our weekend in Nashville guide.
And tell me what’s your favorite whiskey you’ve tried so far?
Nashville’s Whiskey History
Whiskey production has been part of Tennessee’s story since at least the early 1800s, when farmers could turn locally grown corn into a spirit that was easier to store and transport. The state’s limestone-filtered water, which contains little iron, also proved useful for distilling.
Tennessee whiskey later became associated with charcoal mellowing, commonly called the Lincoln County Process, although production methods vary by distiller. Prohibition forced many operations to close, and only a few historic names survived or eventually returned. Today, revived brands and newer producers are introducing travelers to that history one tasting glass at a time.
Whiskey Tours in Nashville
As interest in craft spirits grew, distilleries began turning production spaces into visitor experiences. Guided tours could explain fermentation, distillation, charcoal mellowing, and barrel aging far more clearly than a bottle label ever could.
Nashville became a convenient base for these experiences because travelers were already coming for its music, food, and nightlife. Historic distilleries, tasting rooms, and branded flights now offer different levels of immersion, from walking beside production equipment to sampling spirits at a bar. You do not need to be a whiskey expert, either. We certainly were not, which honestly made asking questions much easier.
Three Nashville Whiskey Tasting Stops
These were three different experiences: a working distillery tour, a moonshine-focused tasting, and a Jack Daniel’s flight served in Nashville’s Opryland area.
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Nelson’s Green Brier traces its whiskey story to the 1800s, when Charles Nelson built a major Tennessee distilling business. The operation closed during Prohibition, but his descendants later revived the family brand in Nashville.
We took the distillery tour, which was fun, engaging, and genuinely useful for understanding the process behind the bottle. Our tasting included a handmade Tennessee sour mash whiskey, rye, reserve bourbon, and a Madeira cask-finished expression.
This was the most traditional whiskey experience of the three, with several excellent American whiskeys to compare side by side. My favorite was the reserve bourbon. It was strong but surprisingly smooth, the kind of pour that makes you pause before taking the next sip.
- š Where: 1414 Clinton St, Nashville
- š„ Cost:Ā $25 per person
Ole Smoky Moonshine & Tennessee Whiskey
Ole Smoky is best known for moonshine, though the company also produces Tennessee whiskey. Our bar-side flight came in small tasting glasses and leaned firmly toward playful, dessert-inspired spirits.
We sampled Apple Pie Moonshine, Mint Chocolate Chip Cream, Cookies & Cream, Pina Colada Moonshine, and Salty Caramel. These were not all whiskeys; the lineup included flavored moonshines and cream-based spirits.
Compared with the pours at Nelson’s Green Brier, the flavors felt lighter and more approachable. They reminded me more of party drinks than a classic whiskey flight, especially with all the creamy and fruity notes. My favorite was Salty Caramel, sweet, smooth, and dangerously easy to like.
- š Where: 423 6th Ave S, Nashville
- š„ Cost:Ā $10 for basic tasting, $18 for premium tasting
Jack Daniel’s Tasting Near the Grand Ole Opry
Jack Daniel’s is one of Tennessee’s most recognizable whiskey names, but this tasting near the Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland was not a tour of its distillery. The actual Jack Daniel Distillery is in Lynchburg, approximately a 90-minute drive south of downtown Nashville.
Our flight included Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, and Single Barrel. Old No. 7 delivered the familiar classic profile, while Gentleman Jack tasted smoother to me. The Single Barrel had the most character and was easily my favorite of the three.
This is a convenient way to compare core Jack Daniel’s expressions when Lynchburg does not fit into your itinerary. For the full production story, however, you would need to plan a separate trip to the distillery.
- š Where: Gaylord Opryland
- š„ Cost: Group tours with transportation start around $130 per person (includes tour + tasting)
Tips for your Whiskey Tour
- Eat before your tasting – Several small pours can add up faster than expected.
- Carry a valid photo ID – Tastings are restricted to guests of legal drinking age.
- Arrange transportation – Use a rideshare, designate a driver, or book transportation for Lynchburg.
- Ask what is in the glass – Whiskey, moonshine, bourbon, and cream spirits are different categories.
- Leave time between stops – Tastings are more enjoyable when you are comparing flavors, not racing through them.
- Confirm current schedules directly – Tour formats, tasting selections, and availability can change.
For us, Nelson’s Green Brier offered the strongest history and tour experience, Ole Smoky brought the fun flavors, and Jack Daniel’s delivered the classic Tennessee name. Which one would you taste first? Let me know in the comments.
