Curator’s statement
You may have done the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is a nice alternative, where you can spend a few days taking in the sounds of the Music City before exploring the small towns and home to the biggest names in American whiskey, including none other than Jack Daniel. But smaller producers also make excellent products, including the native spirit set apart from bourbon. This trip also allows you to see the most beautiful scenery in Middle Tennessee.
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Day 1: Sights and spots
A show at The Grand Ole Opry
Arrive in Nashville at your leisure, whether by plane or car. If it’s your first visit to the city, you’ll want to hit all the highlights, like a tour of the Ryman Auditorium and catching a show at the Grand Ole Opry, which has been in operation for a century.
The city also has several distilleries. Nelson’s Greenbrier is one of the best, with an excellent restaurant. It’s also not a visit without a trip to the bar at The Hermitage, formerly the Oak Bar, where you’ll find over 200 bottles of whiskey to choose from. Then enjoy a meal at Drusie & Darr, helmed by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Day 2: Distillery tours
A tasting at George Dickel Distillery, second oldest in the state
Most of the distilleries you’ll want to visit are less than an hour’s drive from downtown Nashville, but you’ll still want to arrange transportation as the distilleries are in remote parts of the region without access to Uber and Lyft.
Mint Julep Tours are the best in town, and they can take you to popular spots like Jack Daniels, Company Distilling, and George Dickel. For the full experience, make a reservation for lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s, a former boarding house turned family-style Southern restaurant right off the JD campus, where you’re likely to brush elbows with longtime Lynchburg residents and even Daniel relatives. Stop at the Trailhead Visitor's Center for your official passport and stamp.
Day 3: A visit to Franklin
Downtown Franklin
Move on to charming Franklin, at times a suburb of Nashville but now a destination in its own right. Nearby, Leiper’s Fork is filled with stores and live music venues as well. While here, check out Stable Reserve, a coffee shop by day and distillery and cocktail bar by night. Gray’s on Main is an excellent restaurant and music venue. You can also join a walking tour of downtown to learn about the Civil War history.
Need to know
If you didn’t find a bottle you were looking for, don’t fret. The Nashville Airport has several stores selling Tennessee’s best whiskeys you can add to your carry-on.
Travel Advisor
Caroline Eubanks
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