Let’s talk Jack, as in Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Moreover, let’s discuss the town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, because you really can’t have one without the other.
Sure, other companies make whiskey; however, making Tennessee whiskey is quite unique, and the production methods have been expertly mastered by the locals in Lynchburg. Some suggest that the exquisite taste of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey stems from the local, iron-free waters and the hard sugar maple charcoal filtering process. Yet, once you’ve visited Lynchburg, you will realize that there’s another vital ingredient in every bottle of this Southern whiskey: the love of the Lynchburg residents.
Visit Lynchburg
The town of Lynchburg and its residents share a deep connection with the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, making it common for families to have a legacy of several generations working at the distillery. This has transformed into a family tradition within this portion of Tennessee.
Lynchburg boasts a population of fewer than 500, typically hovering around 350. Moreover, Moore County, the smallest county in Tennessee, has a population of just under 6,000.
Overall, Lynchburg is a small, charming, slow-paced town offering plenty of Southern hospitality. Characteristically, it is a one-stoplight town, contributing to its unique charm. Visitors can enjoy a traditional Tennessee historic town square along with a 100-year-old courthouse situated at the center, providing opportunities for antique shopping, country dining, and relaxation.
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Tour the Distillery
The Jack Daniel’s Distillery holds the title of the oldest registered distillery in the United States; however, Moore County remains a dry county, meaning that alcoholic beverages cannot be sold here. Consequently, you won’t find any bars in town serving alcoholic drinks, not even the hometown favorite.
Despite this, visitors to Lynchburg can enjoy a wide array of delightful treats, including candy and cakes crafted with nuances of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. If you’re eager to purchase a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey during your visit, you’ll be pleased to know that the distillery tours currently allow visitors to buy bottles on-site to take home.
The cost for tours of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery ranges from $15 to $125, depending on the specific tour selected. The distillery walking tour lasts approximately one hour and is available every day, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Distillery Details
The Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Lynchburg are situated just over an hour’s drive south of Nashville. If driving isn’t preferable, there are various tour bus companies in Nashville offering seasonal tours to the distillery several times a week.
If you plan to spend a few days exploring Lynchburg, numerous overnight accommodations are nearby, including hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. It is advisable to check for reservations as most places require them.
About Jack Daniel
Jack Daniel was indeed a real person. Jasper Newton Daniel stood just over five feet tall and began distilling whiskey at the young age of 13 for a Lutheran minister. Tragically, Daniel passed away from gangrene after kicking his safe on October 10, 1911. Interestingly, no one knows his actual birth date, but locals commemorate it every September.
Since Jack Daniel had no children, the distillery was inherited by his nephew, Lem Motlow, whose name still prominently appears on Jack Daniel’s Whiskey labels.
While Jack Daniel’s produces a variety of country cocktails, there are currently only four brands of whiskey available from the distillery:
- Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Black Label
- Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Green Label
- Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Whiskey is composed of 40 percent alcohol by volume and is 80 proof. Although Old No. 7 is prominently highlighted on the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey label, its significance remains a mystery. Numerous legends abound regarding the history of Old No. 7, ranging from it being a batch number used by Jack Daniel to a train number associated with shipping, or even simply being a lucky number of his choosing.
The recipe for Jack Daniel’s whiskey is a closely guarded secret. Nonetheless, it is known to contain corn, rye, barley, malt, and of course, the special cave waters. Additionally, the distillery employs a hard maple charcoal filtering system and ages the whiskey in charred white oak barrels.
