When it comes to enjoying a tasty beverage of the over 21 kind, my tastes tend to run towards drinks that meet the any of the following criteria: resemble a slushy, would best be served in a coconut shell, are brightly colored, should have a tiny umbrella in them, or have a highly entertaining name. To sum up, girl drinks.

Jack Daniels Distillery Lynchburg Larkin Grant — Those famous barrels

Which is why it may come as somewhat of a surprise to you that I recently visited the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Jack Daneils as you probably know is famous for their whiskey, which meets none of the criteria for my girl drinks. So what drew a committed drinker of all beverages girlie to the home of whiskey?

More than whiskey

It’s simple; the one thing you can’t do at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery is drink their product. Seem mean? Why would the people at Jack Daniels do such a thing? It’s not up to them. It’s the law. Moore County, where the distillery resides, is a dry county. Translation: no alcohol.

So why would you want to tour a plant that makes alcohol if you don’t get to sample it at the end? Because the tour isn’t about drinking. It’s about the craft. The folks at Jack Daneils take their whiskey making very seriously, just like any craftsmen and it’s the behind the scenes look at this process that is fasicnating, whether you like whiskey or not.

Jack Daniels Distillery Lynchburg TN Visitors Center — Visitors Center Display

History

As soon as you arrive at the distillery, you are greeted with the history of Jack- the man and the product. Want to know what that famous “Old Number 7” means? You can find the answer to this question and more in the displays while you wait for your tour group to be called.

The vistors center is a great way to get in the mood for the more hands on tour. You can spend as much or as little time at the many displays. One of my favorites was a life sized replica of Jack himself that you can pose for pictures with, but that should come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. I do love pictures.

Tour Time

Speaking of pictures, the first stop on the tour is a group picture, which you can download from the Jack Daniels website for free later that day. If you’re the picture taking type like myself, bring a camera, but know that you’ll only be able to use it on the first quarter of the tour. After that, you gotta put it away.

This is one tour that really gives you an all access backstage look at their process (ok so there isn’t a stage, but you get the idea). And you don’t have to worry about getting to Lynchburg at a certain time of day. Tours run from 9am-4:30pm every day, with a new tour starting every 15 minutes or so, depending on the crowds. I went on a holiday weekend and they were running every 15 minutes like clockwork because of the crowds.

Jack Daniels Distillery Lynchburg TN Charcoal — Jack’s famous charcoal

Some of the tour highlights:

The Rickyard: This is where Jack Daniels gets the charcoal they use in their special charcoal mellowing process.
Limestone Cave Spring: This cool, pure, iron-free water is used to create all the Jack Daniel’s products. It is also reserved only for Jack Daniel’s.
Jack’s Office: The office where Mr. Jack conducted business and created the whiskey making standards that remain in place today.
Jack on the Rocks: Nope not that Jack. And not those rocks. By the spring, you can pose with a statue of Jack. On the rocks.
Mash: See how corn, rye and barley malt come together and form mash.
Mellow: Experience the whiskey mellowing. This will be the closest you’ll get to tasting the whiskey.

Tour Tips

This is the section where I pass on the wisdom from my tour to help you plan your visit to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Jack Daniels Distillery Lynchburg TN Jack on the Rocks — The only Jack on the Rocks you’ll get in Lynchburg, TN

Tour Basics:

Timing: The tour lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes
Reservations? Not needed. Tours are given daily from 9am-4:30pm typically every 15 minutes, depending on the crowds.
Shoes: Wear comfy shoes. You’ll be walking for about an hour and 15 minutes. Choose shoes accordingly.
Clothing: You’ll be going in and out of buildings during the tour. Dress appropriately.
Photos: Allowed at the beginning of the tour. Your guide will let you know when you are no longer allowed to photograph.

Tour No No’s

Large bags: backpacks, camera bags, tote bags, shopping bags, etc
Pets

Next Stop

After you finish your tour, make sure that you head to downtown Lynchburg. There you’ll find a variety of places to eat and shop.

Here’s a couple that captured my attention:

The Moon Pie General Store: Besides having an amazing name, this store was filled with all kinds of yumminess. Everything from fudge to homemade bbq sauce. Be careful if you enter, you will leave with some tasty treats.
Lynchburg Hardware & General Store: This is the store to buy anything and everything Jack Daniels. I couldn’t believe all the stuff they had. Want a Jack Daniels poker table? Done! If you can dream it, they’ve got it.
Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant: The place to eat in town. But if you want a spot at this restaurant, you’d better make reservations. And depending on the season, you might have to make them months in advance.
Bar-B-Q Caboose Cafe: Again, amazing name! And it was packed when we walked by, which is always a good sign.

So if you’re planning to head up to Lynchburg, make sure you add at least an hour to wonder through town. Why not plan your trip during a meal and eat in town? It’s a great half day trip.