We stopped for an impromptu tour at the Jack Daniel Distillery, the oldest registered distillery in the United States.

Our friend Mark was visiting from Minnesota a few weeks ago. In the past we have toured several breweries together like Leinenkugels in Chippewa Falls. We always said we would one day make the Southern whiskey tour, so when we found ourselves on the interstate just minutes from the place where Tennessee’s #1 sipping whiskey is being made, we knew we had to take the time and stop.

Jack Daniel’s was established and registered in 1866 and has been placed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Government. Located in Lynchburg, TN, Jack Daniel Distillery offers tours daily from 9 AM – 4:30 PM (CST). Scroll down for a tour overview…

Mark and Silke posing before the tour

We had a lot of fun during the free Distillery tour. Of course you don’t get to sample the whiskey (they offer a paid tour for that), but they do let you get a good whiff of it at one point during the tour. We learned a lot about the history of this iconic sipping whiskey, how it’s made, what the black stuff on the trees and buildings is and about the man that started it all, Mr Jack Daniel.

If you’re in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Tennessee be sure to take a couple of hours and make a stop in the small town of Lynchburg.

Jack Daniel’s Statue ‘Jack On The Rocks’ :)

Nick and Mark getting ready to enter one of the whiskey barrel holding places.

JACK DANIEL TOUR OVERVIEW

• Tours are outdoors and require quite a bit of walking and steps.
• Tour lasts about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• First-come first-served basis.
• The tour path is sometimes altered to accommodate maintenance.
• Wait time between tours varies on number of visitors.
• Sampling tours are offered for a nominal fee.
  • Sampling tour last about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  • 21+ only
  • Limited availability so be sure to arrive early.
• Visitor Center, Sampling Tour and White Rabbit Bottle Shop are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
• Additionally, the Sampling Tour and the White Rabbit Bottle Shop are closed Independence Day and Labor Day.

Learn more about the Jack Daniel Whiskey Distillery on their website at JackDaniels.com (must be 21 to enter).

Fun and informative, we had a good time visiting this iconic establishment. Some of the best trips that we have ever had are the ones that are put together on the spur of the moment. With a little encouragement from our long time friend Mark we were glad that we took the time to stop. If you get anything out of the tour it will be a better appreciation to the time honored tradition that is put into every bottle of the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.

Have you toured this or another whiskey distillery? Share your experience with us. Who knows, it might be the next place we go to visit. ;)