The next Master Distiller perhaps?
We left Nashville bright and early and headed to our last stop, Gatlinburg, TN. But not before a quick detour to the Jack Daniel's Distillery... It was on the way... As in two hours out of the way, but when you're that close, you really can't pass it up. I like whiskey.
It's good for the gums. (Not medical advice)
Anyways.
The drive to the distillery is a long one off the main roads and through small towns. My favorite! Definitely off the beaten path; even though the distillery gets 200,000 visitors a year... Yet only one traffic light in the whole town.
On the slow drive up to the distillery we decided to teach Hamburger to say "Jack Daniel's!". When we began our tour and our tour guide said "Welcome to the Jack Daniel's Distillery," Hamburger was the only one to respond with clapping and "YAAAAAY Jack Daniel's!".
THAT'S how you start a whiskey tour!
Your tour begins in the visitor center where you sign up for your tour. There are two options to choose from: The standard tour which lasts about an hour and the tasting tour which lasts closer to two hours and includes a whiskey tasting. The tasting tour is $10 per person. Everyone has to be at least 21 for this tour. I look young and had to explain to the annoyed looking receptionist that yes, I am over 21 (Hamburger never helps the situation, they just think I'm the babysitter or a bit irresponsible). That wasn't good enough though; she pointed to Hamburger and said, "EVERYONE has to be over 21." Oh ok, we were totally gonna sneak Hamburger some booze, you caught us. Now I don't even know what whiskeys you can sample!
Oh well, the regular tour it was!
The Jack Daniel's Distillery lobby, lots of fun to chase Hamburger around all this!
Almost there kiddo.
Once your time slot has begun your group will be allowed to enter the small theater area where you watch a brief movie about Mr. Jack and the distillery. Then your very own personal tour guide arrives and greets you (this is the part where Hamburger makes his presence and his excitement known to all).
You then head outside, take a group photo (which is available for purchase after the tour or can be downloaded online), and are shuttled by Jack Daniel's bus to the beginning of the tour.
The various sights of the tour
The spring they get their water from... So they say
The safe that led to Jack Daniel's death. For real, take the tour, learn all about it.
Ok, ok, it was because Mr. Jack had a temper and kicked the safe in a fit of anger. Broke his toe. Infection spread. He died.
Arguably the happiest trees in the world, covered by a black fungus due to the high levels of ethyl alcohol from the stills. Perfectly healthy though! I feel like there's a life lesson in there somewhere??
Some more fun facts we learned:
Jack Daniel was only 5' 2"... He was lucky he was such a bad ass.
Lynchburg is located in a dry county. The irony. Of course, they would want to sell Jack at the distillery, and all their fans wanted to buy Jack when coming for a visit. The night that the politicians convened to discuss the matter, a barrel of Jack mysteriously appeared at the hearing. It worked and the distillery is now allowed to sell "special edition" Jack and somehow gets away with tastings. Politicians swayed by alcohol (and perhaps other things?) who would have thought!
When touring the bottling facility a two gallon special edition was being bottled... Not for us though, but for Europe! In the United States you can't sell more than half gallon bottles, damn puritans! These babies were going out to Germany and Great Britain. The largest consumers of Jack outside of the U.S.
The barrels used to make Jack are sold after one go. The barrels are bought by other companies to make hot sauce and other whiskeys. They also make nice tables.
The over-sized "life-sized" statue of Jack Daniel. In real life we would be the same height!
After the tour you are treated to some lemonade, a few snooty comments from a select few that will clearly never have children (they were just jealous Hamburger is so cool) the rest of our tour group had Hamburger's back though ;). You can also buy your photographs here and purchase some special edition Jack if you like.
Once through at the distillery you should definitely check out the business district. It is about a mile walk from the distillery grounds; I wish we would have had time to take the walk but unfortunately we were strapped for time and decided to drive instead.
The business district. Pretty much all of it.
There a few shops here, mostly selling Jack Daniel memorabilia, as well as the General Store, selling A LOT of Jack Daniel memorabilia. You will for sure be inclined to but something. I got a hat. I needed it. Ok, and a shirt. Most of the stores have promotions that if you buy a certain amount they will give you a free shot glass... Souvenirs for friends, CHECK. And don't miss the Tennessee Whiskey Candy Shop, specializing in Jack fudge and Jack and chocolate covered cherries!
Make sure to grab a bite to eat here as well. There is the famous Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House who serves up old-fashioned styled meals. You have to call and reserve a specified time slot. We missed it, obviously, thanks to baby time. Instead we ate at Southern Perks, a lovely little sandwich shop that will leave you very satisfied. And great coffee too! Did I mention the owner is wonderful?
There ya have it! Lovely little (almost dry) Lynchburg. Beautiful and tasty! Even if you only got a whiff...
Contemplating life over a game of checkers.
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