Exploring Nashville: Best Distilleries

by Jessica Walker Boehm | Dec 21, 2022 | Exploring Nashville, Nashville

There are plenty of places to grab a drink in Nashville, but only a handful make the cut when it comes to offering high-quality spirits distilled in-house. Lucky for you, we narrowed down the best distilleries in Nashville that not only serve easy-to-sip spirits, but also provide guided tours and tastings that create an unforgettable Music City experience.

No matter your spirit of choice, chances are you’ll find it in Nashville at one of the seven destinations on our list. While some of these distilleries specialize in the classics – traditional Tennessee whiskey, for example – others branch out, creating unique spins on familiar favorites that have to be tasted to be believed.

Ready to pick your poison and quench your thirst? Read on to discover Music City’s must-visit distilleries.

If you’re interested in calling Music City home, or are looking for a new luxury apartment in Nashville, reach out to AptAmigo today. We’ll help you find the neighborhood and apartment that best meets your requirements and set up tours that fit your schedule – and the best part? It’s 100% free.

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Best Distilleries in Nashville

Corsair Distillery Headquarters

Address: 601 Merritt Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

On a mission to “put Nashville in a bottle,” Corsair Distillery offers a variety of spirits, including American single malt whiskey, spiced rum, vanilla bean vodka, and two varieties of pot-distilled American gin.

Taste each spirit and tour the headquarters during a 45-minute public tour (offered Thursday through Sunday), or get a more in-depth experience during a master distiller tour, which takes place on the first Friday of each month. Corsair Distillery teaches cocktail creation courses, too.

What to Try: Craving a classic? Head to the bar and order an old-fashioned with Corsair’s dark rye or triple smoke whiskey.

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Address: 1414 Clinton St, Nashville, TN 37203

Neighborhood: Marathon Village (near Downtown)

Whiskey and bourbon lovers, you need to visit Nashville’s most historic distillery, especially if you want a taste of original Tennessee whiskey.

Check out Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery’s Tasting Experience for an interactive and guided demonstration (and whiskey samples, of course). And, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the spirits are made, schedule a production facility tour.

What to Try: You can’t go wrong with the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery tasting flight that features classic Tennessee whiskey, two varieties of Belle Meade Bourbon, and a dessert liqueur.

Ole Smoky Distillery

Address: 423 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Neighborhood: SoBro/Downtown

In the mood for moonshine? Head downtown to 6th and Peabody, one of Nashville’s top spots for dining and drinking, which happens to be home to both a distillery, Ole Smoky Distillery, and a brewery, Yee-Haw Brewing Company.

Start with a 1-hour guided tour of both the distillery and brewery that includes a private tasting. Then, stick around to grab a bite from one of the on-site food vendors (White Duck Taco Shop and Daddy’s Dogs) and play yard games.

What to Try: For just $10, you can sample seven moonshine varieties and get a full-size Yee-Haw brew and a coupon for merchandise.

Pennington Distilling Co.

Address: 900 44th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209

Neighborhood: The Nations

Pennington Distilling Co. encompasses four individual brands: Pickers Vodka, Walton’s Finest Vodka, Davidson Reserve Whiskey, and Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream – and you’ll definitely want to try each one.

Tours and tastings are available at the distillery, along with The Davidson Reserve Blend Your Own Bottle Experience at which guests get the opportunity to create a personalized blend of Tennessee, bourbon, or rye whiskey from select aged barrels.

What to Try: Book a $10 tasting and sample each of Pennington’s spirits, or opt for the Exclusive Single Barrel Tasting that starts at $20 and includes three samples of Davidson Reserve Whiskey.

Tennessee Legend Distillery

Address: 1310 Clinton St #115, Nashville, TN 37203

Neighborhood: Marathon Village (near Downtown)

At Tennessee Legend Distillery, you’ll find a wide and diverse range of spirits, from orange creamsicle moonshine and coconut-flavored rum, to peach whiskey and banana foster cream liqueur.

Although tours aren’t currently available, guests can enjoy five free samples at the distillery’s tasting counter (open daily) and get a peek into the production facility through a window.

What to Try: If you’re visiting during the holidays, don’t miss out on the peppermint mocha cream liqueur. This seasonal spirit is a crowd favorite!

Nashville Craft Distillery

Address: 514 Hagan St, Nashville, TN 37203

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

If you’re searching for a hands-on distilling experience, look no further than Nashville Craft Distillery. Creating products like traditional bourbon whiskey, a sorghum spirit, gin, and a honey-spiced liqueur, this small-batch distillery offers 2-day workshops that teach participants about the science behind fermentation and distillation. Plus, they get to help make whiskey and gin.

Looking for something a little more low-key? Hour-long guided tours take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and include two sample spirits and a cocktail.

What to Try: Ask for Nashville Honey Spiced Honey Liqueur on the rocks or in one of Nashville Craft Distillery’s hand-crafted cocktails – you can’t go wrong either way.

Big Machine Distillery

Address: 122 3rd Ave South, Nashville, TN 37201

Neighborhood: SoBro/Downtown

Located just off Broadway in Downtown Nashville, Big Machine Distillery produces platinum-filtered premium vodka as well as whiskey, rum, gin, moonshine, and double-spiked coolers.

Take a 45-minute guided distillery tour to learn more about how the products are made and sample each of the spirits, and afterward, kick back and enjoy a cocktail with a side of live music.

What to Try: Cool off in the warm weather months with a spirit-infused slushie or a frozen vodka lemonade.

Apartment Hunting Near Nashville’s Best Distilleries?

Looking for an apartment in Nashville near some of these incredible distilleries? Reach out to AptAmigo today! We take the stress, drama, and hassle out of apartment hunting. Just let us know your budget and preferences, and we’ll take care of the rest.

About the Author
Jessica Walker Boehm

Jessica is a Nashville-based freelance writer and yoga teacher who also dabbles in CrossFit and running (slowly). When she's not writing or working up a sweat, she can be found with her two cats, Shooby and Minju, or exploring the ever-growing city she calls home.

About Us

AptAmigo has a simple goal: to make finding an apartment easy and maybe even a little fun. With concierge-level care and an expert understanding of the local rental market, we’re more than your average apartment website. We’re perfecting done-for-you apartment searching, and we’re doing it all for free. Reach out to us today and start your VIP apartment search.

About the Author
Jessica Walker Boehm

Jessica is a Nashville-based freelance writer and yoga teacher who also dabbles in CrossFit and running (slowly). When she's not writing or working up a sweat, she can be found with her two cats, Shooby and Minju, or exploring the ever-growing city she calls home.

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About Us

AptAmigo has a simple goal: to make finding an apartment easy and maybe even a little fun. With concierge-level care and an expert understanding of the local rental market, we’re more than your average apartment website. We’re perfecting done-for-you apartment searching, and we’re doing it all for free. Reach out to us today and start your VIP apartment search.

About the Author
Jessica Walker Boehm

Jessica is a Nashville-based freelance writer and yoga teacher who also dabbles in CrossFit and running (slowly). When she's not writing or working up a sweat, she can be found with her two cats, Shooby and Minju, or exploring the ever-growing city she calls home.