- Attraction: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
- Location: 133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352
- Industry: Distillery
- Website: https://www.jackdaniels.com/visit-us
Picture this: a town with just one traffic light and roughly 6,000 residents producing the world’s best-selling American whiskey.
That’s Lynchburg, Tennessee, where the Jack Daniel’s Distillery has been crafting its legendary Tennessee whiskey since 1866—making it the oldest registered distillery in the United States.
What makes this destination even more remarkable is that Moore County remains a dry county, meaning you can make whiskey here but can’t buy alcohol anywhere else in town except at the distillery itself.
This fascinating contradiction adds to the charm of visiting a place where tradition meets paradox, and where every single drop of Jack Daniel’s ever produced has flowed from these very grounds.
The distillery sprawls across beautiful property in what locals call Stillhouse Hollow, where natural limestone cave springs have been supplying iron-free water for whiskey-making for over 150 years.
Related
More in Tennessee
Gothic Romance Meets Golden Sunlight Inside Knoxville’s Most Atmospheric Coffee Haven
Keep Exploring →You’ll walk through historic buildings, witness the unique charcoal mellowing process that defines Tennessee whiskey, and learn stories about the legendary Mr. Jack Daniel himself—including the tale of the safe that ultimately led to his demise.
Tour Options & What You’ll Experience
The Dry County Tour: Perfect for families or non-drinkers, this foundational tour runs about 70 minutes and costs around $20 for adults. You’ll get the complete behind-the-scenes look at how Jack Daniel’s is made without any alcohol tastings. Kids under 9 can join for free, making this an educational experience for all ages.
Flight of Jack Tour: For around $30, this option includes everything from the Dry County Tour plus a tasting flight of five different Jack Daniel’s expressions. You’ll sample the classic Old No. 7, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Honey, Gentleman Jack, and Single Barrel while learning how to properly nose and taste whiskey.
The Angel’s Share Tour: This premium experience costs about $35 and takes you deeper into the craftsmanship with tastings of five high-end single-barrel selections. You’ll try Single Barrel, Barrel Proof, Single Barrel Rye, Sinatra Select, and the rare Gold 27 in a stunning barrel room setting. Many visitors consider this the crown jewel of tours, especially for whiskey enthusiasts who want to explore beyond the standard offerings.
Taste of Lynchburg Experience: At approximately $125, this three-hour package combines the Angel’s Share tour with lunch at the historic Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, where Mr. Jack himself used to dine. It’s the most comprehensive way to experience both the distillery and authentic Southern hospitality.
More in Tennessee
This Intimate Nashville Museum Preserves The Untold History Of Black Music That Shook Music City
Discover MoreThe Whiskey-Making Journey
Cave Spring Hollow: Your tour begins or passes by the heart of it all—a natural limestone cave spring flowing at a constant 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Every drop of Jack Daniel’s whiskey starts with this naturally filtered water.
The limestone removes iron that would otherwise ruin the taste, creating the perfect foundation for whiskey-making. You’ll see water cascading from the cave opening at a rate of roughly 800 gallons per minute, the same source that attracted Jack to this location back in 1884.
Charcoal Production: One of the most captivating stops is the rickyard where sugar maple wood is stacked and burned to create charcoal. If you time your visit right, you might witness employees lighting these towers on fire—they reach up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and create a spectacle three or four times weekly.
This isn’t just for show; this charcoal is essential to the Lincoln County Process that makes Tennessee whiskey distinct from bourbon.
The Mellowing Process: Inside the Still House, you’ll observe massive wooden vats filled with ten feet of sugar maple charcoal. The clear, unaged whiskey drips slowly through this charcoal over three to five days, smoothing out harsh flavors and removing unwanted compounds.
Related
More in Tennessee
History Echoes Through The Trenches At Tennessee’s Fort Donelson, Where The Union Turned The Tide
Keep Exploring →This filtering step, called mellowing or the Lincoln County Process, happens before barrel aging and gives Jack Daniel’s its signature smoothness. Photography isn’t allowed in this building for safety reasons, so you’ll want to pay close attention.
Fermentation & Distillation: The tour takes you through the seven-story Still House where mash made from 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley undergoes fermentation. You’ll see the copper stills that are crucial for creating smooth spirit—copper acts as a natural catalyst during distillation. The process creates what’s called white whiskey before it ever touches a barrel.
Barrel Houses: You’ll glimpse the exterior of the massive barrel houses where 90 seven-story warehouses store about 1.2 million gallons of whiskey each. These rickhouses dot the distillery property and surrounding Moore County. The new, charred American white oak barrels impart about 50% of the whiskey’s flavor and 100% of its amber color during years of aging.
Jack’s Office: You’ll visit the only original building that survived Prohibition, where Jack Daniel conducted business. Inside sits the infamous safe that led to his death—legend has it he kicked the safe in frustration when he couldn’t open it one morning, breaking his toe. The injury became infected and eventually caused blood poisoning that took his life years later.
The Grounds & Experience
Beautiful Setting: The distillery sits in a picturesque hollow with rolling Tennessee hills surrounding you. The property feels both historic and well-maintained, with a mix of weathered wooden structures and working industrial buildings.
More in Tennessee
From Truck Drivers To Country Stars, All Types Have Lined Up For Lunch At This Nashville Icon
Discover MoreDuring your tour, you’ll cover quite a bit of ground, starting with a short shuttle bus ride to the top of the property before walking downhill through various stages of production.
Walking & Physical Requirements: Be prepared for a good amount of walking and stair climbing. Tours involve both outdoor and indoor segments with metal staircases and ramps.
The terrain can be challenging for those with mobility issues, though accessible tours can be arranged by calling ahead. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour lasts 70 minutes to nearly two hours depending on which option you choose.
Weather Considerations: Since portions of the tour take place outside, you’ll experience whatever Mother Nature has in store. The distillery operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for the season. Inside the production buildings, you might notice temperature fluctuations and strong whiskey aromas—it’s a working distillery, after all, not a museum.
Tasting Rooms: The whiskey tastings take place in beautiful, dedicated spaces including a stunning barrel room for premium tours. Your guide will walk you through proper tasting techniques, teaching you how to nose the whiskey and identify different flavor notes. Even if you’re not a whiskey expert, the guides make the experience approachable and educational.
Related
More in Tennessee
Watch Bald Eagles Soar Above Cypress Swamps At This Tennessee State Park Born From Earthquakes
Keep Exploring →History & Heritage
The Legend of Jack Daniel: Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was born sometime between 1846 and 1850—records from that era aren’t entirely clear. He learned the art of distilling from a local preacher named Dan Call and his slave, Nearest Green, who was particularly skilled in the charcoal mellowing technique.
Jack registered his distillery in either 1866 or 1875 (again, historical records conflict), but either way, it became the first registered distillery in the United States.
Prohibition & Survival: When Tennessee went dry in 1909—over a decade before national Prohibition—the distillery faced serious challenges.
Moore County has remained dry ever since, creating the ironic situation where the world’s best-selling American whiskey is made in a place where you can’t legally buy alcohol in stores or restaurants. The distillery did eventually receive special exemptions allowing tastings and bottle sales on-site.
Modern Production: Despite Jack Daniel’s massive global sales of over 12 million cases annually, every single bottle is still produced at this one location in Lynchburg. The distillery has expanded over the years but maintains traditional production methods that Mr. Jack would recognize, blending time-honored craftsmanship with modern quality control.
Beyond the Tour
White Rabbit Bottle Shop: Your tour concludes at this retail space inside the Visitor Center—the only place in Moore County where you can purchase Jack Daniel’s to take home.
The selection rotates regularly and includes harder-to-find expressions and the Tennessee Tasters series exclusive to this location. You can even get bottles custom engraved as gifts or souvenirs, though the engraving takes about an hour.
Tour Guides: Your experience will largely depend on your guide, and fortunately, the distillery seems to employ passionate storytellers who bring the history to life. Guides balance humor with knowledge, keeping groups engaged throughout the tour. They’re skilled at answering questions and sharing anecdotes about Mr. Jack and the whiskey-making process.
Group Size & Timing: Tours accommodate up to 20 people and depart regularly throughout the day from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. While you can try walking in, making reservations in advance is strongly recommended, especially during peak times like weekends, Black Friday, and the annual World Championship Barbecue in October. Tours run seven days a week except major holidays.
Downtown Lynchburg: After your tour, you’ll want to spend time exploring the charming town square just a short walk away.
The square features antique shops, the Lynchburg Hardware & General Store (which sells Jack Daniel’s merchandise that isn’t available at the distillery), and several small cafes. The entire downtown area has an authentic small-town Tennessee feel that hasn’t been overly commercialized.
Planning Your Visit
Pricing Perspective: Tours range from $20 for the basic Dry County option to $125 for the full Taste of Lynchburg experience. For what you get—a detailed look at a world-famous distillery, engaging guides, and quality tastings—most visitors feel the pricing represents good value.
The premium tours especially deliver worthwhile experiences when you consider you’re sampling whiskeys that retail for $50 to $165 per bottle.
Getting There: The distillery sits about 90 minutes southeast of Nashville via I-24 and scenic country roads. There’s no public transportation, so you’ll need to drive yourself or book a bus tour from Nashville. Several tour companies offer packages with transportation, distillery admission, and sometimes lunch included. Parking at the distillery is free and plentiful in lots near the Visitor Center.
What to Bring: Valid photo ID is absolutely mandatory for any tasting tour—foreign IDs like passports are accepted. Purses and backpacks are no longer allowed on tours, so either leave them in your car or use the free lockers in the Visitor Center.
Bring your phone for photos, though be aware that photography is restricted in certain production areas for safety reasons. Wear layers as you’ll be moving between outdoor areas and climate-controlled buildings.
Family-Friendly Option: The Dry County Tour welcomes all ages and provides an educational experience about American industrial history and craftsmanship. While non-drinkers in your group won’t experience the tastings, the tour itself is fascinating enough to hold interest. Kids seem to especially enjoy learning about the charcoal burning and seeing the massive production scale.
Dining Options: Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House serves Southern-style family meals at communal tables with local hosts who share Lynchburg history. Reservations are required for this 110-year-old establishment where Mr. Jack used to eat. In downtown Lynchburg, you’ll find other casual cafes and the popular Barrel House BBQ, though dining options are limited overall in this small town.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery
📍 133 Lynchburg Hwy, Lynchburg, TN 37352
