The Tennessee Distillers Guild is an organization that plays a significant role in promoting and supporting the Tennessee whiskey industry. Founded in 2014, the guild is comprised of nearly 40 distilleries in the state of Tennessee and serves as a voice for its members in matters related to legislation, regulation and tourism.
In this post, we’ll explore the history, events and activities, as well as the important impact the TN Distillers Guild has on the Tennessee whiskey industry and tourism. We’ll also provide you with some tips on how best you can explore the ever-expanding Tennessee Whiskey Trail.
What is the TN Distillers Guild?
The Tennessee Distillers Guild officially formed on February 28, 2014, about five years after Tennessee legislature finally permitted distilling in an additional 41 counties. Before that, only three counties were able to make whiskey due to antiquated and strict laws that stemmed from Prohibition. It’s hard to fathom, but from 1937 to 2009, there were only three distilleries operating in Tennessee: Jack Daniel, George Dickel (Cascade Hollow) and Prichard’s.
Thanks to some quick action by politicians who could see the bigger picture of tourism, the ancient laws were overturned, and now distilling is legal in more than 75 Tennessee counties. In order to unify the voice of the many distilleries popping up and further battle harsh alcohol laws, the TN Distillers Guild was created with three main goals in mind:
- To responsibly promote Tennessee spirits.
- To advocate for the industry at the local, state and federal levels.
- To create a network for distillers to connect with and support each other.
That very first year there were 13 distillery members of the guild, and now it boasts 39, with more coming on each year.
Membership
In order to become a member of the TN Distillers Guild, you must either be a distillery located in the state of Tennessee or be a business that operates within the whiskey industry.
While the former category is self-explanatory, not all distilleries in Tennessee choose to become members of the guild. Distillery membership requires annual dues, so if you’re just getting started with your infrastructure and whiskey-making faculties, you might not have the funds available. A vast majority, however, do become members eventually.
The latter membership category is what the guild labels as “Associates.” According to the TN Distillers Guild website, these Associate Memberships were created to establish partnerships and generate revenue. The opportunity is a win-win for both the guild and associate members, as it gives businesses within the industry access to its members and also provides opportunities for Tennessee distilleries to network with these businesses. Associates also must pay annual dues, and representatives from the businesses are often invited to regular guild meetings to further facilitate networking opportunities.
TN Distillers Guild and Tennessee Whiskey
As the Tennessee whiskey industry continues to grow, the need for a united front with the TN Distillers Guild is pivotal. Not only does the guild help promote the industry, but it addresses concerns, issues and problems within the distilleries themselves and champions on behalf of each and every member. Let’s take a look at some numbers on just how big the whiskey industry is in Tennessee …
- According to recent TN Distillers Guild statistics, there are more than 3 million barrels of Tennessee whiskey aging in the state that are valued at more than $5 billion.
- Since 2009, $280 million has been invested into the TN whiskey industry and the industry is responsible for over 26,000 jobs.
- And for an even larger look at the industry, in 2019, more than 26 million cases of American whiskey were sold in the U.S., generating over $4 billion in revenue for distillers, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS). In Tennessee, according to DISCUS, the spirits industry brings in more than $4.2 billion.
In the stats above, both bourbon and Tennessee whiskey are counted together in the DISCUS numbers, but if you’re wondering if there’s a difference between the two whiskeys, we can give you a quick explanation. Basically, TN whiskey follows all the same rules that bourbon does (at least 51% corn; entered in new, charred oak barrels; distilled no higher than 160 proof; etc.), but there’s one extra step it takes before it enters the barrel. It’s called the Lincoln County Process, and it’s a filtering method that involves running the white dog through a charcoal maple filter before it goes into the barrel to age. Because this is a subtractive process and not an additive one, Tennessee whiskey can still be called bourbon.
TN Distillers Guild and Tourism
You don’t have to look very hard to see just how successful the TN Distillers Guild has become in promoting distillery tourism. In 2022, the TN Whiskey Trail welcomed 7.8 million visitors alone, which is an increase of 1.3 million in 2019. These visitors come thirsty and they come with expendable funds to purchase bottles, T-shirts, barware, etc., from each and every distillery they stop by.
The guild even takes it a step further by suggesting curated and themed trips around Tennessee for those interested in filling up their whiskey passports. From a “Just For Foodies” tour to a “Waterfalls & Whiskey” adventure, the guild offers up some great suggestions for people visiting a specific region of the state or just a general state exploration.
The TN Whiskey Guild also hosts several events throughout the year that connects consumers with distillers, and these can range from the Roar & Pour at the Memphis Zoo to the Bootleg Bash in Ruby Falls that features whiskey, bluegrass, local fare and much more.
Exploring the TN Whiskey Trail
In 2017, the guild created the tourism-focused Tennessee Whiskey Trail to further unite the distilleries and create an experience for bourbon and whiskey aficionados across the world. Modeled after the successful Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the TN Whiskey Trail has a passport component where visitors to any member distillery can collect stamps and then turn in a completed passport for a prize.
There are currently almost 40 distilleries that are members of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and that number continues to increase as more and more distilleries pop up throughout the state. Listed in alphabetical order, the member distilleries are:
- Big Machine
- Blue Note
- Bootleggers
- Brushy Mountain
- Cascade Hollow
- Chattanooga Whiskey
- Company Distilling
- Corsair
- Dam Whiskey
- Drop Zone
- Gate 11
- Jack Daniel
- Junction 35 Spirits
- Knox Whiskey Works
- Leatherwood
- Leiper’s Fork
- Lost State
- Mossback
- Nashville Barrel
- Nashville Craft
- Nelson’s Green Brier
- Old Dominick
- Old Forge
- Old Glory
- Old Tennessee Distilling Co.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine
- Pennington
- Post Modern Spirits
- Prichard’s
- Roaring River
- Short Mountain
- Southern Collective
- Standard Proof Whiskey Co.
- Sugarlands
- Teal Hollow
- Tennessee Hills
- Tennessee Legend
- Uncle Nearest
- Wheeler’s Raid
- Big Machine
- Blue Note
- Bootleggers
- Brushy Mountain
- Cascade Hollow
- Chattanooga Whiskey
- Company Distilling
- Corsair
- Dam Whiskey
- Drop Zone
- Gate 11
- Jack Daniel
- Junction 35 Spirits
- Knox Whiskey Works
- Leatherwood
- Leiper’s Fork
- Lost State
- Mossback
- Nashville Barrel
- Nashville Craft
- Nelson’s Green Brier
- Old Dominick
- Old Forge
- Old Glory
- Old Tennessee Distilling Co.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine
- Pennington
- Post Modern Spirits
- Prichard’s
- Roaring River
- Short Mountain
- Southern Collective
- Standard Proof Whiskey Co.
- Sugarlands
- Teal Hollow
- Tennessee Hills
- Tennessee Legend
- Uncle Nearest
- Wheeler’s Raid
Let Mint Julep Experiences Whisk-ey You Away
There are several tour and transportation companies that are geared toward cultivating the ultimate Tennessee Whiskey Trail experience, and one of the best is Mint Julep Experiences. With a trained staff knowledgeable about all things whiskey, the 13-year-old company offers dozens of guided tours and experiences for those looking to travel the whiskey trail without the hassle of driving.
Whether it’s a public tour to Jack Daniel’s or a Murals, Mimosas & Margaritas tour around Nashville, Mint Julep can handle a party of any size in both pre-planned TN Whiskey Trail adventures or custom tours created just for you. You want a whiskey-focused afternoon of distillery hopping? No problem. Or would you rather mix up the distillery tours with some tasty Tennessee barbecue? Mint Julep has you covered. The tour company prides itself on Southern hospitality and providing truly unique tours of the South’s heritage and craftsmanship.
Take a look at some of Mint Julep’s TN Whiskey Trail tours and pick one that best suits the adventure you’ve been planning for.