The American Whiskey Trail attraction known as Jack

November 3, 2:54 PMWine and Spirits Travel ExaminerMarcia Frost

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I had never been to Jack Daniel's before my visit on the American Whiskey Trail.  It had been described to me (by more than one person) as the Disneyland of the distilleries.  I thought the "sets" actually looked a bit more like Universal Studios with the exuberant tour guide and tram, but in the end, this is still the place that makes the world's most famous Whiskey.

Even the tasting room at Jack Daniel's is bigger than life, displaying the flags of the whiskey's largest markets.  In fact, Jack Daniels has (for the first time) topped its domestic sales with international ones.

We got started right away with a sampling of the Single Barrel. This whiskey has the highest maturation and finishes at 94 proof.  It's strong oak flavor can be tough to swallow for other than the true whiskey fan.  That is certainly not the case for Old No. 7.  The one most often just called "Jack" in your local bar is more well-rounded, with notes of carmel, vanilla and less wood.  Ironically, it's not No. 7 which is the fastest growing worldwide, it's Gentleman Jack, the only whiskey in the world that is charcoal-mellowed twice, giving it more fruit and spice undertones, and even less wood, than the others.

Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel's Master Distiller, explained a bit about how the company ended up (and then stayed) in this remote Lynchburg, Tennessee location and it wasn't an unusual story.  It always seems to come down to the water and in the case of Jack Daniel's the water is cave spring, flowing year round at 56 degrees, with little iron and an abundance of other nutrients.  Then, there's the combo of 80% corn, 12% malted barley and 8% rye that makes it very close to bourbon. 

To make their product even more unique than the others, Jack Daniel's has two more distinctions. First, it is the only distillery that makes their own barrels from 100% toasted and charred American White Oak..  Then, the charcoal mellowing that distinguishes whiskey from bourbon is made from Hard Surgar Maple.  It  produces minimal ash when burnt.

The Jack Daniel's tour takes you through the production and storage areas of this 1,700 acre complex which employees 400 people (all of whom get a pint of whiskey once a month).   One of the things you will see on the tour is the Single Barrel. Jack Daniel's has a unique program in whiskey that offers customers (individually or in a group) the option of purchasing their own barrel which will produce about 240 personalized bottles of whiskey for them.

The day at Jack Daniel's ended with an incredible barbecue (with Jack Daniel's bbq sauce, of course) at the Jack Daniel's pavilion, offering incredible sunset views of Tennessee before we left for an evening with the Charlie Daniels (no relation) Band at the Grand Ole Opry.  The next stop on the tour was also a company owned by Brown-Forman,  but  Woodford Reserve in Kentucky is a whole world from Jack Daniel's.
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We drove just over an hour back to Nashville for another evening at the Hermitage, but there are a few places to stay closer.  Lynchburg, Tennessee, has a number of Bed & Breakfast establishments, including  the Tolley House, the Mulberry House and Lynchburg Bed & Breakfast. Also visit Miss Mary Bobo's, owned by Jack Daniel's and run by his grand niece.  Lynne Tolley offers family-style Southern meals in this quaint restaurant.


Jack Daniels  is also the only distillery where you can find a souvenir waiting for you at home.  After your tour, just got to your computer with the information on your ticket and your group pic awaits!