#tennessee-blackberry-whiskey

#tennessee-blackberry-whiskey

"We're a new distiller - we don't have the luxury of waiting to know if our whisky is going to be great. It has to be great from the outset."

Visitors have noted a bar stocked with notable spirits including Macallan M, Louis X, Last Drop Whisky, and Pappy van Winkle 23. One specialty are bourbon flights with several noteworthy bottles presented at once for sampling.

"When we started Sugarlands, we didn't set out to build a big company. The idea was simple. Make great spirits, create a welcoming and memorable experience for guests at our Gatlinburg Distillery."

After getting engaged in 2013, we started kicking around a wild idea: What if we moved back and revived the prohibition-era distillery his family had owned three generations back? The family business had been passed down for decades until it closed in 1919 due to prohibition. In particular, we had on our hearts Andy's dad, who died of cancer in 2010, but had always said, 'Don't move home unless you have a real good reason to.' This felt like it just might be that real good reason.

Along with the challenges of operating any new business, making good bourbon takes time and expert craftsmanship. It's for this reason that many new "distilleries" aren't distilleries at all (non-distilling producers, blenders, rectifiers). Instead, they source bourbon and then sell it as their own. That's not inherently a bad thing, as some expertly blend whiskey or add extra maturation to create a genuinely impressive bourbon, but there is a clear difference.

Nashville may be known as the 'Music City,' but it was Knoxville where several artists, including a young Dolly Parton, actually cut their teeth. The city has a self-guided tour to give you important intel on the music industry and a lay of the land for your trip.

Both are bottled at 80 proof and use a low-rye mash bill, which makes for a sweeter, easier drinking experience. However, their production techniques are a little different, given that one is made in Kentucky and the other in Tennessee.

The U.S. spirits landscape has evolved far beyond the recognition of simply being the birthplace of bourbon. In recent years, we've seen a transformation in both the quality and individuality that the country's craft distilleries have been able to produce. While previous decades were dominated by the big-name distilleries, far more awards are going to craft distillers who have mastered the art of producing high-quality whiskeys, rums, gins, and more.

Sonic seasoning is the phenomenon where specific musical elements: tempo, pitch, instrumentation: can influence how our brains perceive the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. High-pitched tones can make dishes taste sweeter. Bass-heavy tracks can enhance umami and savory notes. Even the crunch sounds we hear while eating can make food seem fresher and crispier. It's not just about mood: it's about fundamentally altering taste perception through sound.

Following what was a period of high sales and rapid expansion, the market is contracting for a number of reasons. Alcohol consumption has declined in recent years, for one thing, but international response to U.S. tariffs has also hit bourbon sales hard, with exports of the liquor dropping significantly in 2025. Many icons of American whiskey have been affected, with Brown-Forman - parent company to Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester, among others - laying off a significant portion of its workforce.

Contrary to popular belief, rye was actually America's native spirit. George Washington owned the largest rye distillery in the country after he left the White House. Historically, it was a very important cocktail ingredient. But by the end of the 20th century, rye had practically disappeared from stores and bars.

As they played, Gordon came up with the idea of a branded whiskey. Nelson's song offered the perfect branding idea. So the two worked together and partnered with Heaven Hill Distillery. Willie was sent samples while on tour so he could give feedback. He also helped come up with the design for the bottle and label. When they finally settled on a bourbon Nelson wanted to put his name on, Old Whiskey River was released.

Traveller Whiskey Full Proof, a collaboration between Grammy-winning artist Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery's Master Distiller Harlan Wheatley, has officially hit the shelves. This release is the first line extension from the award-winning brand since its debut in January 2024 and showcases the artistry of American whiskey blending. Bottled at an impressive 121 proof, Traveller Whiskey Full Proof is designed to amplify the flavor experience while maintaining the approachable nature that has become synonymous with the brand.

Stroll into nearly any Italian restaurant in the country and you'll likely get a glimpse at a row of oddly shaped bottles sitting in the oft-forgotten back bar. Those bottles contain grappa, a spirited sip most often enjoyed after a lengthy dinner when belts start feeling tight, when diners recline in their seats taking lazy last bites of half-eaten desserts.

Whiskey House of Kentucky has completed construction of its first seven-story rickhouse featuring the revolutionary K-RAX barrel storage system: a collaboration with The Koetter Group that finished one month ahead of schedule and sets a new standard for how American whiskey will age for generations to come. Located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, this state-of-the-art facility represents the first of twelve warehouses that Whiskey House plans to build over the next decade.