Whether you’re a drinker or not, these local distilleries offer an interesting look into Tennessee History. After your tour, be sure to stop by Miss Mary Bobo’s for an authentic Southern home-cooked meal.
The Nearest Green Distillery
The legacy of the slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey
Nearest Green, fondly known as Uncle Nearest, was the former slave who taught Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. He is the first African American master distiller on record in the United States.
The Nearest Green Distillery is located on the 270-acre former home of Sand Creek Farms, a Tennessee Walking Horse
farm and event center in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Phase one opened in September of 2019.
When completed, the distillery will include a single barrel warehouse and tasting room, still house, rick houses, several bars, and a Heritage Hall. The Heritage Hall will showcase a collection of all things invented in Tennessee, such as NASCAR, miniature golf, Moon Pies, and Mountain Dew. There will also be a special focus on Tennessee Whiskey, Walking Horses, and country music.
What sets this distillery apart is that it’s not only about the whiskey. The Nearest Green Distillery shares the important story of a few other things that are uniquely Tennessee, including the majestic Tennessee Walking Horse. With more than 50 championship walking horses, and those they’ve sired, living at Nearest Green Distillery, visitors will have the chance to see and learn about the stately breed. For the latest updates, visit the website at unclenearest.com.
Cascade Hollow Distillery
Turning Water into Whisky Since 1878
When it comes to making whiskey, a pure water source is essential. It’s so important that many great distilleries are named after the water source. Cascade Hollow Distillery gets its name from Cascade Springs, where the water comes up from the ground through layers of limestone that act as a natural filter. It’s the
same water source George Dickel used in the 1800s and is exclusively used by the distillery today.
The whiskey is “Handmade the Hard Way” by people who still take temperatures by hand and weigh grains on an old weigh scale. George Dickel is the longest aged Tennessee Whiskey and to this day, is the only Tennessee distillery to chill the liquid to 40 degrees before the charcoal-filtering process. George Dickel himself named the brand after the traditional Scottish ‘whisky’ spelling, without the ‘e.’
Whether you are a whiskey drinker or not, Cascade Hollow Distillery is a wonderful place to experience a unique part of Tennessee history. Sit in one of the rocking chairs on the porch of the visitor’s center and take in the beautiful view of the lush meadows and forested rolling hills where water turns to whisky, one drop at a time.
Cascade Hollow Distillery Co. is located at 1950 Cascade Hollow Rd, Tullahoma. For more information visit www.georgedickel.com
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Making Whiskey for Seven Generations
The Jack Daniel Distillery is the oldest registered distillery
in the U.S., and it’s where every drop of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is still made today.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is a completely natural product. It is crafted from pure, iron- free spring water, yeast, and 100% natural whole grains: corn, rye, and barley malt.
Located in Lynchburg, Jack Daniel Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the United States. To make great whiskey, you have to have great barrels and since 1866, every whiskey barrel has been crafted at the distillery. Every drop of the world-renown whiskey goes through a charcoal filtering process known as the Lincoln County Process, where the whiskey drips through vats of charcoal 10 feet deep. The filtering process is what makes it Tennessee Whiskey. But, the real secret to Jack Daniel whiskey is the pure, iron-free cave spring water from the hollow. Several tours are available including the 1.5- hour Angel’s Share Distillery Tour where you can sample limited-edition single barrel whiskeys.
Your friends at Jack Daniel’s remind you to drink responsibly.
For more information, visit www.jackdaniels.com
Miss Mary Bobo’s
A Lynchburg Tradition for over 100 years
Since 1908, Miss Mary Bobo’s has been serving up Southern hospitality and good old fashioned home cooking. Located in a stately white Greek Revival building facing the town square, the historic structure dates back to 1820 and has quite a few stories of its own. For decades, it operated as the Salmon Hotel. In 1908, a young Miss Mary assumed ownership of the historic hotel and ran it as a boarding house until her death in 1983, just shy of her 102nd birthday. Today, the restaurant features nine dining rooms, each named for a significant figure in its past.
The ever-changing menu features seasonal specials and entrees such as Southern Fried Chicken, Boarding House Meatloaf, Fried Catfish, and Country-Style BBQ Ribs. Seasoned Greens, Fried Okra, Cornbread, and Biscuits are among the sides. For the perfect ending, be
sure to leave room for a slice of pie — Chess, Fudge, Pecan, Oatmeal, or Buttermilk served with Jack Daniel’s Whipped Cream.
For more information, call: (931) 759-7394 or visit www.missmarybobos.com