Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Why Tennessee Whiskey Tells a Deeper Story
In Tennessee, whiskey isn’t just a drink, it’s a legacy. It’s the kind of heritage passed down through generations, from enslaved distillers on 1800s farms to today’s award-winning master blenders. You can taste the past in every pour.
So whether you’re sipping an Old Fashioned at a rooftop bar or taking a distillery tour through Nashville, understanding the roots of Tennessee whiskey adds a whole new layer to the experience. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Whiskey in Nashville featuring our favorite tours, tastings, and flights around Music City.
Let’s dive into the long and storied history of Tennessee whiskey - from illegal moonshine stills to the global rise of Jack Daniel’s and the revival of long-overlooked pioneers like Nearest Green.
The Lincoln County Process: Tennessee’s Signature Style
What Is the Lincoln County Process?
What sets Tennessee whiskey apart from bourbon? It starts with the Lincoln County Process, a charcoal filtering method used before aging. Whiskey is slowly dripped through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal.
How Charcoal Filtering Shapes Flavor
The Lincoln County Process softens the spirit and imparts a signature smoothness.
This isn’t just tradition, it’s actual law. To be legally labeled “Tennessee whiskey,” the Lincoln County Process must be followed. It’s a detail that connects every bottle back to a distinctly Tennessee legacy.
Moonshine Roots and the Prohibition Era
Whiskey’s Early Illegal Beginnings
Tennessee whiskey has rebellious beginnings. In the 1800s, before licensing and branding, whiskey was crafted in hidden hollers and transported in barrels with no labels. This moonshine economy thrived on ingenuity and secrecy.
Prohibition's Impact on Tennessee Distillers
When Prohibition hit in 1920, the industry ground to a halt. But Tennessee’s distillers didn’t forget their craft. Some found creative (and illegal) ways to keep distilling. Others passed on their knowledge, waiting patiently for the day the stills could fire up again.
After Prohibition ended, only a handful of distilleries returned. But among them was one that would become the most famous whiskey in the world.
Jack Daniel’s History: The Global Face of Tennessee Whiskey
America’s First Registered Distillery
You can’t talk about the history of Tennessee whiskey without Jack Daniel’s.
Founded in Lynchburg, Tennessee in the mid-1800s, Jack Daniel’s became the first registered distillery in the U.S. in 1866. It pioneered large-scale whiskey production while still using traditional techniques like the Lincoln County Process.
What’s lesser known? Jack didn’t invent his whiskey process on his own. That credit belongs to someone else.
Nathan “Nearest” Green: The True Master Distiller
The Untold Story Behind Jack Daniel’s Success
Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved man, was the first known African-American master distiller. He taught young Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey using the charcoal mellowing process, and continued to work with him even after Emancipation.
For decades, Green’s legacy was left out of official histories.
How Uncle Nearest Whiskey Restored a Legacy
That changed in 2017 with the launch of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a brand founded by Fawn Weaver that honors Green’s story and restores his rightful place in whiskey history. Uncle Nearest has since become the most awarded American whiskey for multiple years running and a symbol of justice and excellence in the spirits world.
Whiskey Revivals: From Nelson’s Green Brier to Uncle Nearest
Nelson’s: A Family Legacy Reborn
It’s not just Uncle Nearest making waves.
In Nashville’s Marathon Village, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery revives another lost legend. Originally founded in the 1800s by Charles Nelson (another early whiskey pioneer), the brand disappeared during Prohibition, only to be brought back by his great-great-great-grandsons Andy and Charlie Nelson over 100 years later.
The New Era of Tennessee Whiskey Makers
This new wave of Tennessee whiskey makers blends innovation with deep respect for heritage. Every bottle tells a story, not just about flavor, but about the people, places, and values that shaped the South.
Why Whiskey History Still Matters Today
Why Every Tasting Tells a Story
Understanding Tennessee whiskey’s past isn’t just for historians, it deepens every tasting and tour. From the enslaved master distillers whose talents built entire empires, to the family-owned revivals redefining the industry, the past shapes every pour.
What Guests Say About Our Whiskey & History Tours
As one of our recent food tour guests put it:
“Mathew was an outstanding guide… He has more information than an encyclopedia. He was the highlight of the tour and made it so. The food and drink was great too. This is a great way to gain insight into the history of Nashville. I highly recommend!” - John Johnson, Google Reviewreviews
We believe that food and drink should come with a story, and here in Nashville, the whiskey stories are among the most powerful of all.
Ready to Explore Tennessee Whiskey’s Roots?
Historic Whiskey Spots to Visit in Nashville
If you're a history buff, a whiskey lover, or both, Nashville is the perfect place to dive in.
We recommend visiting:
Standard Proof Whiskey Co. - Small-batch infused rye whiskies, created by a Nashville bartender
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery - A family revival of one of Tennessee’s original whiskey brands
Uncle Nearest Distillery (in nearby Shelbyville) - An essential stop for American whiskey history
Take a Guided Food & Whiskey Tour Downtown
Or better yet, join our Downtown Nashville Food Tour to sample infused whiskey while learning about local history, music, and culinary legends. We’ll walk, taste, sip, and celebrate the stories that made this city great.
Book the Downtown Nashville Food Tour
Explore Our Guide to Historic Whiskey Spots in Nashville
FAQ: History of Tennessee Whiskey
What makes Tennessee whiskey different from bourbon?
Tennessee whiskey uses the Lincoln County Process—charcoal filtering before aging—which sets it apart from traditional bourbon.
Who was Nearest Green?
Nearest Green was the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. He’s now honored as the first African-American master distiller.
Is Jack Daniel’s really from Tennessee?
Yes. Jack Daniel’s is distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee (ironically a dry county), and is the most famous Tennessee whiskey brand in the world.
Where can I taste Tennessee whiskey in Nashville?
Try Standard Proof in Downtown Nashville, visit Nelson’s Green Brier in Marathon Village, or join our food tour to enjoy whiskey as part of a curated tasting experience.