54-513: The Lincoln County Process is a step used in producing almost all Tennessee whiskeys . The whiskey is filtered through—or steeped in— charcoal chips before going into the casks for aging. The process is named for Lincoln County, Tennessee , which was the location of Jack Daniel's distillery at the time of its establishment, but is no longer used in that county (where the only remaining distilleries are Benjamin Prichard's , which doesn't use
108-451: A Bourbon whiskey. Production began in 2012 of a Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye. As it is 70% rye, it is not labeled as a Tennessee whiskey. A limited initial release that was not aged in wood was labeled "Spirits Distilled from Grain". A second limited release, called "Rested Rye", was released after two years of aging and labeled a straight rye whiskey. A fully aged version was released in 2017. As of 2017, Benjamin Prichard's also produces
162-567: A Tennessee Rye Whiskey, a malt whiskey , two whiskeys labeled as bourbon, and an unaged corn whiskey called Lincoln County Lightning. Like Prichard's Tennessee whiskey, these are not charcoal filtered prior to aging. As of 2014, Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey was an unaged corn whiskey produced in Tennessee. Tennessee whiskey is the namesake for the country music song " Tennessee Whiskey ", written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove and originally released by David Allan Coe as
216-832: A Tennessee whiskey because it is produced from a rye-based mash and is not distilled in Tennessee. Most of the stages of its production are conducted under contract in Indiana , and the whiskey is then trucked to the Diageo bottling plant in Plainfield, Illinois , for filtering with charcoal made at the Dickel distillery and then bottling. In early 2014, the brand introduced a white corn whiskey using an unaged version of its standard mashbill, which consists of more than 80% corn, allowing for its sale as "corn whiskey". The bottle makes no reference to Tennessee whiskey. Dickel would go on to release
270-557: A firm definition to Tennessee whiskey. Tennessee whiskey Tennessee whiskey is straight whiskey produced in the U.S. state of Tennessee . Although it has been legally defined as a bourbon whiskey in some international trade agreements, most current producers of Tennessee whiskey disclaim references to their products as "bourbon" and do not label them as such on any of their bottles or advertising materials. All current Tennessee whiskey producers are required by Tennessee law to produce their whiskeys in Tennessee and – with
324-463: A large mercantile shop with bottles, barware and apparel available for purchase. In July 2023, Nelson's Green Brier Distillery opened a newly renovated distillery restaurant and full-service bar at their 1414 Clinton St. Nashville, TN 37203 location. The same facility also now offers four new private event and dining spaces available to rent for corporate functions, weddings and celebrations of varying sizes. The original Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
378-436: A method that pumps the whiskey slowly through 10–13 feet (3–4 m) feet of sugar maple charcoal (instead of using gravity) made from trees cut by local sawmills. To be labeled as a straight whiskey , no flavoring or coloring compounds can be added to the spirit after the fermenting of the grain . Some producers claim that according to a 1941 Internal Revenue Service ruling issued at the request of Jack Daniel Distillery,
432-455: A much larger area. Most of the distillery buildings are no longer present, and the only historical buildings remaining include an early 20th-century warehouse , a spring house that supplied fresh water to the distillery and a barrel house. The site includes a dam across Rocky Fork Creek, an old mash tub and remnants of building foundations. In 2011, two of the great-great-great-grandsons of Charles Nelson – Charlie and Andy Nelson – announced
486-522: A plan to revive the Nelson's brand and produce whiskey using Charles Nelson's recipes. In 2013, they began bottling whiskey under the label Belle Meade Bourbon – a brand name used historically by Nelson's – while they waited on the permits and equipment necessary to open their own distillery. On November 23, 2014, the new Nelson's Green Brier Distillery opened in Nashville. Tours highlight the history of
540-467: A thick layer of maple charcoal before it is put into new charred oak barrels for aging. The companies that produce whiskey in this manner suggest this step improves the flavor of the whiskey. The filtering process is named for Lincoln County, Tennessee , the home of the Jack Daniel's distillery when it originally began operations. However, in 1871, the boundaries of the county changed, placing
594-474: Is assumed that Billy farmed the land he purchased and continued to make whiskey until he sold his recipe along with the sugar maple charcoal filtration method to Eaton. Recently it has been claimed that Nathan “Nearest” Green , the former slave, teacher of Jack Daniel and his eventual master distiller "was the one who decided to cut down sugar maple trees, create charcoal from it and filter his unaged whiskey [through it] before barreling." Proponents of Green as
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#1732764819007648-634: Is based on the recipe for Charles Nelson's original Tennessee Whiskey, making its modern-day bottling the first since 1909. Filtered through a mellowing bed of sugar maple charcoal and aged in new charred oak barrels this wheated mash bill recipe is credited with being the original Tennessee whiskey. Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey is available in all 50 states. (Awarded BEST IN SHOW/American Blended Straight Bourbon, TAG Global Spirits Awards, 2023) An expert blend of exceptional, high-rye, straight bourbon whiskeys, well-aged in new, charred American oak barrels and carefully crafted to be equally pleasing neat, on
702-511: Is expected to lead to the establishment of more small distilleries, thus increasing the number of producers of Tennessee whiskey. All Tennessee whiskey is from Tennessee, but not all whiskey from Tennessee is "Tennessee whiskey". For example, the Ole Smoky Distillery (which began operation in 2010) is located in Tennessee and produces several whiskey products, but they are not sold as Tennessee whiskey because they do not meet all
756-695: Is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) , which states only that Tennessee whiskey is "a straight Bourbon Whiskey authorized to be produced only in the State of Tennessee". This definition is also recognized in the law of Canada , which states that Tennessee whiskey must be "a straight Bourbon Whiskey produced in the State of Tennessee". None of these regulations requires the use of the Lincoln County filtering process (or any other filtering process). On May 13, 2013,
810-761: The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States , as of 2013, the U.S. market for bourbon and Tennessee whiskey reached $ 2.4 billion, and exports of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey grew to exceed $ 1 billion. There are two major producers of Tennessee whiskey, Jack Daniel's based in Lynchburg (owned by the Louisville, Kentucky -based Brown-Forman ) and George Dickel based in Cascade Hollow near Tullahoma (owned by
864-580: The White House , a custom continued by James Polk . Filtering of whiskey through maple charcoal was practiced as early as 1825 by Alfred Eaton in Tullahoma, though the process was likely used earlier outside of Tennessee. Jack Daniel's was established as a brand in 1875. By the end of the 19th century, there were over 700 licensed distilleries in the state. Statewide prohibition on the sale and manufacture of alcohol took effect in 1910, wiping out
918-533: The char state, the ricks are sprayed with water to prevent complete combustion. The resulting charcoal is then fed through a grinder to produce bean-size pellets that are packed into 10-foot (3.0 m) vats used to filter impurities from the 140 proof whiskey. The whiskey is then reduced with water to 125 proof (62.5%) for aging. The process was taught to Jack Daniel by Nearest Green , the namesake of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey . The George Dickel distillery uses deeper (13-foot [4.0 m]) vats and distills
972-498: The title track of his 1981 studio LP . The song was later recorded and released as a hit single by George Jones in 1983. More recently, the song was covered by Chris Stapleton in 2015 on his album Traveller . Nelson%27s Green Brier Distillery Nelson's Green Brier Distillery is a whiskey distillery located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee that produces different varieties of Tennessee whiskey and bourbons. The distillery offers daily public tours and tastings as well as
1026-639: The Jack Daniel's distillery and the surrounding area in the newly created Moore County . Ironically, the only whiskey currently produced within the current boundaries of Lincoln County is Prichard's, which is the only Tennessee whiskey that does not use the Lincoln County Process. On a federal level, the definition of Tennessee whiskey is legally established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and at least one other international trade agreement that require it to be "a straight Bourbon whiskey authorized to be produced only in
1080-576: The Lincoln County Process is what distinguishes "Tennessee whiskey" from " bourbon ". However, not all producers of products labeled as Tennessee whiskey use the process. (Specifically, it is not used in the production of Benjamin Prichard's Tennessee Whiskey .) The term "Tennessee whiskey" does not actually have a legal definition in the U.S. Federal regulations that define the Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits . The only legal definition of Tennessee whiskey in U.S. federally recognized legislation
1134-571: The Lincoln County Process sometime after his birth in 1820 and when he began working for Dan Call as a hired slave distiller around the 1850s. Nearly every distillery creating Tennessee whiskey uses maple charcoal filtering, though the actual process for accomplishing this varies by company. For Jack Daniel's, the charcoal used is created onsite from stacks (ricks) of two-by-two-inch (5 by 5 cm) sugar maple timbers. The timbers are primed with 140 proof (70% ABV ) Jack Daniel's and then ignited under large hoods to prevent sparks. Once they reach
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#17327648190071188-446: The Lincoln County process (which involves maple charcoal filtering) to be used for products produced in the state labeled as "Tennessee Whiskey", along with the existing requirements for bourbon (e.g., mash consisting of at least 51% corn, aging in new charred oak barrels, and limits on alcohol by volume concentration for distillation, aging, and bottling). The law contains a specific exception for Benjamin Prichard's , which does not use
1242-416: The Lincoln County process. As federal law requires statements of origin on labels to be accurate, the Tennessee law effectively gives a firm definition to Tennessee whiskey. Although Jack Daniel's supported the 2013 legislation – stating it was necessary to bring the quality of Tennessee whiskey to the level of bourbons and Scotches – some of the state's smaller distilleries opposed it, arguing
1296-681: The London-based Diageo ), as well as numerous locally based producers throughout the state. In June 2017, the Tennessee Distillers Guild launched the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a 25-stop distillery tour across the state, to further promote Tennessee whiskey and local whiskey culture. Whiskey production in Tennessee started with the emigration of Scotch-Irish from Pennsylvania and Virginia. President Andrew Jackson served Tennessee whiskey in
1350-476: The Nelson's Green Brier brand name and the previous distillery, and include tastings and a visit to the production floor. Constellation Brands (through its investment branch Constellation Ventures) bought a minority stake in the company in 2016 and a majority stake in 2019. The Nelson brothers, Andy and Charlie Nelson, remain heavily involved in the business today . (Awarded Double Gold, SIP Awards, 2022) Launched in 2019, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
1404-484: The State of Tennessee". Canadian food and drug laws state that Tennessee whiskey must be "a straight Bourbon whisky produced in the State of Tennessee". On a state level, the State of Tennessee has imposed stringent requirements for Tennessee whiskey. It is not enough under state law that the whiskey be produced in Tennessee; it must also meet specific quality and production standards. On May 13, 2013, Tennessee governor Bill Haslam signed House Bill 1084, requiring
1458-476: The bar and restaurant. Using family recipes, the Nelson brothers began using stock at a distillery in Indiana to start making Belle Meade Bourbon in 2012. After releasing the initial bourbon, they continued to add other variations that were finished in used barrels acquired from European distillers that featured different flavor profiles. (a limited, distillery only release) – that got its name from two things:
1512-479: The best elements of both grape and grain. Nelson Brothers Mourvèdre Cask Finish Bourbon is available in select states. The Nelson Brothers’ talent for creative variations on classic traditions continues with this audacious take on an old favorite. Nelson Brothers Rye preserves the zesty, bracing bite the spirit is famous for, while elevating the flavors and aromas often neglected by more conventional rye mash bills. Louisa's Coffee Caramel Pecan Liqueur Louisa Nelson
1566-559: The criteria necessary for such. Instead, they are usually marketed under other terms, such as "Tennessee moonshine" or simply “whiskey”. Chattanooga Whiskey's Tennessee High Malt style of whiskey making generally meet all of the Bourbon requirements for Tennessee Whiskey, however its products do not undergo the Lincoln Country filtration process. George Dickel began production of a rye whiskey in 2012 that also cannot be labeled
1620-485: The dark colors, sweet notes (brown sugar, vanilla, raisins), and long, warm finish—with a hint of spicy bite. Nelson Brothers Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon is available in select states. When Nelson Brothers’ bourbon meets the casks provided by Withers Winery in the Sierra Foothills, the result is an irresistible mélange of aromas and flavors—almond, cherry, sandalwood, currant, black licorice, cumin—that magnifies
1674-475: The distiller's craft: select barrels of celebrated bourbon are enlivened by the characteristic aromas and flavors of the special casks that host the final stage of the aging process. The Oloroso casks selected by the Nelson Brothers team restore the robustness and fortitude of sherry's true Spanish character. When Nelson Brothers bourbon enters those casks for its final stage of aging, the results draw out
Lincoln County Process - Misplaced Pages Continue
1728-432: The distillery ended after Tennessee enacted prohibition on July 1, 1909, but whiskey produced before that date continued to be sold in other states until 1915. Robertson County whiskey had a reputation for superior quality, but the county's whiskey industry was not revived after Prohibition ended. The distillery equipment was salvaged and shipped to Canada in 1923 to be used for distilling there by Seagram . The site
1782-425: The exceptional sources are expertly batched into a superior, high-proof blend, rich with rye, and redolent of dark cherry, caramel, and spice. The result is Nelson Brothers Reserve, a bourbon certain to startle and delight anyone who comes within sipping distance. Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon is available in all 50 states. Nelson Brothers’ Cask Finish Series represents a glorious union of tradition and creativity in
1836-564: The family from New Jersey, to Virginia, and then Pennsylvania where Mary's daughter Tabitha Jacocks Pearson (1734 - 1811) taught the recipe to Billy. Billy took the family recipe to South Carolina and on August 7, 1791 he was kicked out of the Padgett's Creek Baptist Church for making whiskey. In 1812, Billy divorced his wife and moved with his four oldest children to a land he purchased not far from Lynchburg , TN in Bedford County . It
1890-402: The governor of Tennessee signed House Bill 1084, requiring maple charcoal filtering to be used for products produced in the state labeling themselves as "Tennessee whiskey" (with a particular exception tailored to exempt Benjamin Prichard's) and including the existing requirements for bourbon. As federal law requires statements of origin on labels to be accurate, the Tennessee law effectively gives
1944-494: The industry. Following repeal in 1933, Jack Daniel's moved operations back to Lynchburg (the company's attempts at production in Missouri and Alabama did not yield any saleable product) as the first distillery to open post- Prohibition . The next distillery to be licensed in the state, George Dickel , followed in 1958 as a revived brand. Robertson County , which in the 19th century distilled more whiskey than any other county in
1998-466: The inventor of the Lincoln County Process propose that he learned the practice of using charcoal to filter water from his ancestors and adapted it to whiskey. They claim that slaves brought the practice to the Unites States from West Africa where there is a long history of people "using charcoal to filter water and purify their foods" In this scenario, it is assumed that Green would have invented
2052-535: The label "Nelson's Best". In 1885, the distillery produced 380,000 U.S. gallons (1,400,000 liters) of whiskey, making it the largest producer of sour mash whiskey in Robertson County during a time when whiskey production was a major industry in Tennessee and the county was one of the state's largest producers. At that time, the annual production capacity of the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg
2106-619: The market. Relatively few original brands of Tennessee whiskey exist today, due to statewide prohibition that lasted even longer than national prohibition . As of 2013, many Tennessee counties still prohibit the sale of alcohol . In 2009, the Tennessee General Assembly amended the statute that had for many years limited the distillation of drinkable spirits to just three of Tennessee's 95 counties (Lincoln, Moore, and Coffee ). The revised law allows distilleries to be established in 41 additional counties. This change
2160-535: The process in 1825. However, The family of William "Billy" Pearson (1761-1844) claim to have documents that Billy sold his recipe for a "smooth sipping whiskey from a corn-mash, filtered through charcoal made from hard sugar-maple wood, and aged in Oak Barrels," to Eaton in 1825. According to the Pearson family, the original recipe was created by Mary Stout Jacocks (b.c. 1715 - d.c. 1816) and that it traveled with
2214-664: The process required by the law was too close to the process used by Jack Daniel's. Phil Prichard, the owner and distiller of Benjamin Prichard's, said, "If I wanted my whiskey to taste like Jack Daniel's, I would make it like Jack Daniel's." Jeff Arnett, the Master Distiller at Jack Daniel's, noted that stringent requirements were required by Scotch makers in Scotland and champagne makers in France, and Tennessee whiskey should not be treated any differently. In 2014, legislation
Lincoln County Process - Misplaced Pages Continue
2268-534: The process, and Southern Pride Distillery). There is some dispute on the origins of the Lincoln County Process and it is possible that there is no single inventor. For thousands of years, many different cultures have used charcoal as a filter. There is evidence that both the Hindus and the Phoenicians were using charcoal to filter water around 400 BC. For many years it was claimed that Alfred Eaton invented
2322-430: The rocks, or in a favorite cocktail. Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon is available in all 50 states. (Awarded #10 Top 20 Whiskies of 2022, Whisky Advocate) The process begins with selecting the choicest lots of well-aged bourbon barrels in the Nelson's Green Brier Distillery inventory. These barrels would craft the ideal foundation of flavor and fragrance to forge this truly premium and balanced expression. Once singled out,
2376-475: The sole exception of Benjamin Prichard's – to use a filtering step known as the Lincoln County Process prior to aging the whiskey. Beyond the perceived marketing value of the distinction, Tennessee whiskey and bourbon have almost identical requirements, and most Tennessee whiskeys meet the criteria for bourbon. Tennessee whiskey is one of the top ten exports of Tennessee. According to
2430-405: The state, produced a "distinctive" sour mash whiskey that was said to be "similar to, but not quite the same as, Kentucky bourbon." The Prohibition amendment destroyed the few remaining Robertson County distilleries that survived into the 20th century. Nearly all Tennessee whiskeys undergo a filtering stage called the Lincoln County Process, in which the whiskey is filtered through (or steeped in)
2484-428: The total number of barrels produced and the 108-year time gap that occurred between the company's forced shutdown due to Prohibition and its revival. Based on an original Charles Nelson recipe, the whiskey used the Lincoln County Process with wheat – as opposed to rye – providing the flavor. It was made available in a cask-strength (not diluted with water), single-barrel version and a 90-proof, small batch blend. (used
2538-457: The whisky—the spelling used by Dickel—to 135 proof (67.5%). Dickel chills its whisky to 40 °F (4 °C) before it enters the vats and allows the liquid to fill the vats instead of trickling it through. Nelson's Green Brier Distillery uses the Lincoln County Process to make its wheated First 108 Tennessee whiskey and its white whiskey. Collier and McKeel , made in Nashville , uses
2592-435: The world about the pioneering spirit that she was. Louisa's Liqueur shows robust flavors and aromas of caramel, coffee and pecans. As a liqueur, it is sweet but not too sweet, so it does well neat or on the rocks. It also makes a perfect addition to coffee or poured over ice cream, and it's great in a cocktail. Schatzi Vodka and Nelson Brothers Dry Gin are available on-site at the distillery in specially crafted cocktails at
2646-507: Was 23,000 U.S. gallons (87,000 liters). Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was a major contributor to the economy and growth of the town of Greenbrier (spelled as one word) during the late 19th century. It employed about 25 people directly and provided a market for local farmers' corn , locally-made barrels and other local products. Its presence led to the construction of a railroad line and station in Greenbrier. Whiskey production at
2700-638: Was a pre-Prohibition historical distillery that operated under the ownership of businessman Charles Nelson and later his widow, Louisa, in Greenbrier , Robertson County , Tennessee , from 1860 to 1909. The brand was re-launched by the Nelsons' great-great-great-grandsons in 2011 and they began operating in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee producing award-winning Belle Meade Bourbon, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee whiskey , Nelson Brothers bourbons, and other spirits. The original Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
2754-401: Was a woman of remarkable strength and character who ran Nelson's Green Brier Distillery from 1891 until Prohibition shuttered it in 1909. She grew the distillery into one of the largest in the country at the time despite the great odds against her, including not having the right to vote. Nelson's Green Brier Distillery has created this line of liqueurs in her honor to help tell her story and teach
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#17327648190072808-539: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The distillery's listing on the National Register of Historic Places is due to its historical importance in industry and commerce in the state. Additionally, proprietor Charles Nelson was active in the banking , farming and barrel -making industries. The listed property includes a 5-acre (2.0 ha) area, although the distillery occupied
2862-460: Was introduced in the Tennessee state legislature to amend the 2013 law to allow the reuse of barrels in the aging process. Diageo, which owns George Dickel , supported the proposed change. Arnett blasted the proposed amendment, going as far as to accuse Diageo of attempting to weaken the quality of Tennessee whiskey to protect its Scotch and bourbon brands. Diageo argued that the 2013 law was an attempt by Jack Daniel's to push smaller competitors out of
2916-482: Was located on Rocky Fork Creek in Greenbrier , Robertson County , Tennessee . It operated from 1867 until it was shut down in 1909 when Tennessee enacted state-level Prohibition of alcoholic beverages. The distillery was acquired in 1870 by Charles Nelson , a Nashville businessman who expanded operations in the ensuing years. The whiskey produced there was sold in other parts of the United States under
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