PRO TIP
I highly recommend the west-to-east route. The West Tennessee Plains lead into the Middle Tennessee Hills, which in turn lead into the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee.
The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is your pathway to all the whiskey in the Tennessee Distillers Guild. Any whiskey enthusiast (and anyone who appreciates the process) who loves a road trip wants to take this trail. You can find the complete list—plus maps and sample itineraries—of every distillery and the entire trail on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail website. With more than 30 member distillers, some with multiple locations, road-tripping can be a fun challenge. Here is everything you need to know to plan your journey across the state on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
The trail is a great road trip any time of year, particularly in the winter. Tennessee has mild winters, making it a four-season road trip destination. After all, who doesn't need a whiskey warmup in those chillier months? And more than just the whiskey will warm you on this road trip. The machinery in the distilleries you'll visit runs at hundreds of degrees, so a visit will bring the heat inside and out. Are you warming up to the idea yet?
First things first: Pick a side. Tennessee is a long state from one end to the other, so your road trip will be most efficient if you start in Memphis, near the Arkansas-Tennessee state line, and drive east; or you could choose to begin in Bristol, which straddles the Virginia-Tennessee line, and go west. This is the most organized way to see all the distilleries but also the best way to see the state's three distinct landscapes.
Remember to pick up your Tennessee Whiskey Trail Passport when ready to hit the trail. Hardcopy passports are available at all participating distilleries, or an electronic version is available on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail mobile app. When you've completed the trail and collected a stamp from each distillery (no need to double up on distilleries with multiple locations unless you want to!), you can send it in for a complimentary gift and those oh-so-fun bragging rights.
Most distilleries on the trail offer tours and tastings, often including exclusive spirits you won't find anywhere else. Some even feature on-site dining and activities for visitors under (or over) 21 and are dog-friendly, so the whole family can come along for the journey. All the Tennessee Whiskey Distillers Guild members offer Southern hospitality and friendly faces. They'll be happy you stopped by.
You'll learn on your distillery tours that many operations are firmly committed to working only with Tennessee suppliers. Moreover, they're just as committed to giving back to the local community. From farm to bottle, the whiskey you'll taste is an authentic local product. Distillers in the Guild like to keep the “Tennessee” in Tennessee whiskey.
PRO TIP
Those under 21 are not permitted to partake in tastings, but visitors of all ages can participate in distillery tours, restaurants and other activities.
If you think every tour of every distillery is going to be the same, stop right there. You'll be surprised at the unique nature of each distillery and each product made there. Each one has its own backstory, its own flair, its own history. The family business, Bootleggers Distillery, goes back 16 generations. A collegegradturned-firefighter-turned distiller founded Old Glory Distilling Co. Gate 11 Distillery in Chattanooga is located inside the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo. Big Machine Distillery has famous country music mogul roots. And as you may already have heard, the entire world is familiar with Lynchburg's own Jack Daniel's Distillery.
The list of unique stories is almost as long as the list of exclusive tours and tasting experiences. For example, Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. offers a Single Barrel Experience, where guests can sample from three 15-year single barrels and then take their favorite bottle home. Nashville Craft Distillery offers a twoday, hands-on distilling experience for those who want exactly that. Sugarlands Distilling Co. offers an impressive 12-flavor moonshine tasting for just $5. Several distilleries also provide private tours for a more personalized experience that can be unique to you.
PRO TIP
You may be surprised to learn that it is illegal to mail alcohol in Tennessee. If you plan to take liquid souvenirs home with you or hope to give them as gifts, plan to take them with you in the RV.
While sampling the local flavors, take advantage of the chance to see all Tennessee offers. Many distilleries are located near fantastic hiking trails, scenic drives, state parks, national parks, music venues and many more activities. When planning your road trip, factor in some of these to get the whole Tennessee experience.
When you visit Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis, take some time to explore Graceland, catch the Duck March at the historic Peabody Hotel and tour Sun Studio, where Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded. Or, if you prefer something to wash down with your whiskey, challenge yourself to find the “best” barbecue in Memphis. (It might be at the legendary Charles Vergo's Rendezvous.) Memphis is also an ideal location to start or end a road trip on the Great River Road—the oldest scenic byway in North America.
Speaking of scenic routes, take a section of the Tennessee River Trail Scenic Byway on your way to Old Glory Distillery Co. in Clarksville. When you get there, enjoy the small-town charm while you're at it. Tour the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, have a meal at The Mail Room (no, really—it's a fabulous restaurant in a historic post office) and explore Dunbar Cave State Park before your distillery tour and whiskey tasting.
If you're interested in whiskey culture but are here for the party, the Nashville leg of your trip is where to find it. Take tours of all 10 distilleries in and around Nashville, find a concert to attend at one of their world-famous venues and experience Broadway. Not into the Broadway scene? Enjoy Nashville's beautiful greenspaces, epic food culture and historic sites. If you get bored, it's not Nashville's fault!
PRO TIP
It's best to explore most of Nashville on foot. Park your RV or other vehicle, and either walk or take a taxi or rideshare downtown.
On your way south out of Nashville, plan to take the historic Natchez Trace Parkway toward Leiper's Fork, Company and Big Machine Distilleries. Along the way, you'll see Civil War sites in historic Franklin and Thompson's Station and get the most charming small-town vibe from the village of Lynnville. While you're at it, take advantage of their fantastic railroad museum.
Continuing to the northeast, take the Sequatchie Valley Scenic Byway from near Chattanooga (and its historic distilleries) up to Crossville. On the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit at least four state parks and three state forests. From there, drive east on the historic Walton Road toward Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Revolutionary War Captain William Walton forged this route as the first highway across the Cumberland Plateau in the 18th century.
PRO TIP
On your way, don't miss Brushy Mountain Distillery, located in a former state prison and adjacent to Frozen Head State Park. You'll want to sample their Scared Straight End of the Line Moonshine and ask about their most famous escapee, James Earl Ray.
Hit the Knoxville area distilleries over a day or two and then go to the Great Smoky Mountain Byway. The drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is beautiful year-round. Visitors can explore hikes such as Clingmans Dome, Mount Mitchell and more while you're here. Need a different sort of fun? Spend a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge or take the cable car above gorgeous Gatlinburg. Even better, you can end each day on this leg of your journey at a different distillery. Round out your state-wide road trip in Bristol and find the Lost State Distillery just steps away from the Virginia-Tennessee state line.
When you've visited all the distilleries and seen what Tennessee has to offer, don't forget to send in your Tennessee Whiskey Trail Passport for your complimentary gift and, of course, those bragging rights. Happy sipping!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whitney O'Halek is a travel writer, author and blogger currently living in the D.C. area. She started traveling in 2006 and essentially never unpacked. Her husband is her favorite travel companion, but she's not afraid to go solo. You can follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest @quickwhittravel. Visit her website quickwhittravel.com for more. ■