Jack Daniel’s Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in the United States, operating continuously since 1866 in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It produces the best-selling American whiskey in the world, filtered through sugar maple charcoal before barreling in a process called the Lincoln County Process, which is what legally distinguishes Tennessee whiskey from bourbon.
The Distance and Drive
The distillery sits about 75 to 80 miles southeast of downtown Nashville, a drive of approximately 90 minutes via I-24 East to Highway 55 in Lynchburg. The route passes through Middle Tennessee countryside, rolling hills, small towns, not particularly scenic but not unpleasant.
The distillery’s address is 182 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg, TN. Visitor Center hours are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. The facility is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
The Extraordinary Local Paradox
Lynchburg is in Moore County. Moore County is a dry county. You can tour the distillery where Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is produced and taste samples of it on-site, but you cannot buy a cocktail at a bar in the surrounding town. This situation, historically bizarre and technically legal through an exception carved into Tennessee law, has been the case for generations and is now simply a feature of the visit.
You can purchase bottles at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop on the distillery grounds, open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What the Tours Cover
The distillery offers several tour options. The standard Distillery Tour runs about 90 minutes and includes a guided walk through production and a tasting of six Jack Daniel’s expressions. The Angel’s Share tour goes deeper into the barrel program and includes tasting from individual barrels in the historic George Green Barrel House.
Tours require advance reservation. Walk-ins may be possible on weekdays but are not reliable on weekends. Tours require participants to be 21 with valid ID for the tasting component. The tour involves climbing and descending stairs and takes place largely outdoors.
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House
For lunch in Lynchburg, Miss Mary Bobo’s (295 Main Street) is a Franklin, Tennessee institution operating since 1908 as a boarding house and since the 1980s as a sit-down restaurant serving family-style Southern food. Reservations are required and fill weeks or months in advance. Going without a reservation is not an option.
Getting There Without Driving
Tennessee Whiskey Tours runs a dedicated bus from downtown Nashville to the distillery, with pickup in the Broadway area. The trip takes roughly two hours each direction. The tour includes the distillery visit and whiskey tasting. This is the practical option if you plan to drink, which is the point of going.
Adding Uncle Nearest Distillery
About 12 miles from Jack Daniel’s in Shelbyville, Uncle Nearest Distillery tells the story of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the African American master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the craft and whom Jack later hired as his first head distiller. The Nearest Green connection to Jack Daniel’s has been documented but long underemphasized; the distillery gives it full treatment. It produces its own whiskey using the same Lincoln County Process. The two distilleries are logistically combinable in a single day and the historical connection between them makes the pairing meaningful rather than just a drink itinerary.
Sources:
- Jack Daniel’s official site: Tour information and Visitor Center hours (jackdaniels.com)
- Tennessee Whiskey Tours: Jack n’ Back tour and distance information
- Lynchburg TN Visitors Guide: Distillery tour details
- Distillery Trail: Jack Daniel Distillery listing and location data
- Tennessee Whiskey Tours: Jack Daniel’s and Uncle Nearest combined tour