Lin NormanNashville is famous for its music, but the city’s spirit scene is just as loud and vibrant.
But finding the best distillery in Nashville really depends on your vibe. Some spots focus on deep historical roots and traditional Tennessee whiskey. Meanwhile, others mix experimental craft spirits with big screens and live DJs.
If you’re having a hard time figuring out your next weekend adventure, you’re in the right place! I’ve wandered through the city’s best tasting rooms to figure out which ones are actually worth your time and money.
Grab your favorite rocks glass and let us dive into the top spots to wet your whistle downtown!
How much does a distillery experience cost in Nashville?
Distillery experiences in Nashville generally range from $10 for a basic tasting flight to over $150 for premium custom blending sessions.
| Experience Type | Price Range |
| Basic guided tours & flights | $10 – $25 |
| Premium custom blending & pairings | $50 – $150+ |
| Standard tasting flights (no tour) | $10 – $15 |
| Specialty craft cocktails | $12 – $18 |
1. Nashville Barrel Company Downtown Whiskey Distillery – Bourbon & Wine Bar
Website: https://www.nashvillebarrelco.com/
Address: 222 Fesslers Lane
Contact: 615.669.0083
Hours: Mon – Thu 9am – 6pm, Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm
Getting to bottle your very own custom whiskey is a rare treat, that’s why Nashville Barrel Co is worth a visit!
This downtown tasting room offers an award-winning single-barrel experience, where you can sample and blend your own personalized bottle. The atmosphere inside is stylish and comfortable for relaxing with a heavy pour of rye.
The entire experience is incredibly convenient for tourists walking over from Bridgestone Arena or the Ryman. You really feel like an insider when the knowledgeable guides walk you through their barrel profiles.
However, navigating the highly congested downtown traffic to find parking here can be a headache. If you usually frequent cozy cafes in bakeshops to escape crowds, the bustling streets outside this venue might feel overwhelming.
Customer Review
Super Knowledgeable
Tour was not super extensive, but that was expected given this is an extension of the main distillery. It was still fun and the host was super knowledgeable on the taste portfolios. The sample pours were excellent and more than enough to keep me happy for the rest of the day. I advise everyone to finish off every sample and every piece of chocolate. The pairings were smart and well calculated. I’m intoxicated now, walking the streets of Nashville and making awful financial decisions. I recommend this to everyone with a wallet.
- Dalton | Google Review
Fun and Educational
My son and I did a whiskey tasting last week. It was very fun and educational. Because they are “barrel pickers” instead of distillers, we learned different information than I have at other distillery tours.
- Vic Lyday | Google Review
2. Corsair Distillery & Taproom
Website: https://www.corsairdistillery.com/marathon/
Address: 1200 Clinton Street #110
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday 12–7 PM, Tuesday Closed, Wed – Sun 12–7 PM
Crafting experimental spirits that completely break the mold of traditional Tennessee whiskey is exactly what Corsair Distillery & Taproom does best.
You can sit in their pet-friendly courtyard while enjoying fresh-baked pizza and sipping on unique fruit daiquiris. Their taproom even pours local draft beers for those who want a break from the hard liquor.
When I visited last month, getting an up-close look at their historic 1920s copper pot still during the behind-the-scenes tour was genuinely fascinating.
Just keep in mind that you cannot bring your dog inside the facility during those guided production tours. It requires a bit of planning if you decide to bring your furry friend along for the afternoon.
Customer Review
Whiskey Tasting
Coming into an absolute favorite Cosair Distillery does not disappoint. The representative Mitch assisted myself and my husband in our tasting. I did the whiskey tasting while my husband went for the variety selection. My favorite was the Red Absinthe and the flavor was amazing. I recommend going and having a tasting or a craft cocktail and pizza. I will absolutely be back to enjoy more of their selections.
- Kelly Sharp – Southern Planners Social | Google Review
Local Beer Scene
An excellent tour and taproom, going deep on the details of the first new distillery in Tennessee since prohibition! Mitch gave a fabulous talk through what makes Corsair’s whiskey a lil different, and the nuances of their process. The taproom, with the best of the local beer scene, was rather fun too.
- Thomas Johnson | Google Review
3. Big Machine Brewery & Distillery
Website: https://www.bigmachinedistillery.com/pages/broadway
Address: 122 3rd Ave. S.
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10AM – 9PM, Thursday to Saturday 10AM – 10PM
Finding a massive entertainment venue that successfully merges a full-scale brewery with a distillery tasting room is pretty rare; that’s why Big Machine Distillery is a must-visit.
This energetic spot sits directly on the main Broadway strip and features daily live music to capture that authentic Honky Tonk atmosphere. They cater perfectly to large groups, with some friends wanting craft beer and others preferring stiff cocktails.
Furthermore, their extended weekend hours make it an incredibly convenient stop for tourists exploring the city at night.
On the flip side, the prime location means the building frequently gets exceptionally loud and packed with partygoers. You might want to look elsewhere if you’re hoping for a quiet and educational whiskey tasting.
Customer Review
Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey
We did a last minute Distillery Tour and let me tell you, it was worth every Penny! It was pretty amazing how smooth their Vodka was, but considering it was distilled 25x, it was fantastic. Then, going into the Bourbon room, we learned a ton about bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. After the tastings, I had to buy a single barrel as it was amazing! Well done Big Machine!
- The Big Tuna | Google Review
Fun and Informative Tour
We had such a fun and informative tour. Mackenzie was AWESOME – so knowledgeable and could answer any question about whiskey and distilling. The samples were delicious too. Highly highly recommend doing the distillery tour here!
- Michelle J | Google Review
4. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
Website: https://greenbrierdistillery.com/
Address: 1414 Clinton Street
Contact: (615) 913-8800
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday – Saturday 11am-7pm
Diving into a rich pre-Prohibition legacy is the main draw at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. The story-focused tour highlights how the founders resurrected their family’s original Tennessee whiskey recipe after decades of closure.
Since they’re in Marathon Village, you can easily wander through the surrounding artisan shops right after finishing your generous tasting flight. During my walkthrough, the guides’ storytelling felt incredibly personal and kept everyone totally engaged.
The only real downside is that these guided tours book up extremely fast during peak tourist seasons.
Spontaneous walk-in guests will likely miss out, so planning ahead is just as crucial here as it is when ordering custom treats from popular cake shops in Nashville.
Customer Review
Best Distillery Tours
One of the best distillery tours I’ve been on. Nelson’s is a fun place with such a cool history. Therese was our guide and she was excellent! The tasting was delicious and we had lunch after at their restaurant which is phenomenal! Duck pastrami and chicken sando are incredible! The bourbon espresso martini may be the best I’ve ever had honestly. Definitely recommend checking out this Distillery!
- Danielle Gonzales | Google Review
How Whiskey is Produced
We went for the distillery tour and really enjoyed it. There’s a non drinking price ($5 cheaper) since I was pregnant / under 21 which I appreciated.
Our tour was about an hour and included 4 tastings and the history of the Nelson family and how whiskey is produced.
The venue itself is nice inside and includes a restaurant, bar and gift shop.
There’s free parking across the street.
- Jenny Le | Google Review
5. Ole Smoky Distillery “6th & Peabody”
Website: https://6thandpeabody.com/
Address: 423 6th Ave. South And Peabody St.
Contact: (615) 647-8272
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 11AM – 10PM, Thursday to Sunday 11AM – 11PM
Throwing a massive party is the central theme at 6th & Peabody, a high-energy entertainment complex.
Run by Ole Smoky Distillery, this spot merges an extensive moonshine tasting experience with a sprawling beer garden featuring big-screen sports and live DJs.
The expansive outdoor area even includes yard games like cornhole, making it a fantastic hangout spot for large groups.
What’s even better is that you don’t need a reservation to stop by and sample their famously diverse menu of flavored moonshines.
Because of the lively party-centric vibe, you can definitely expect long wait times at the bar on a Saturday night. The rowdy crowds also mean the tasting experience lacks any real intimacy or quiet conversation.
Customer Review
Beautiful Outdoor Seating Area
This is such a fun place work a beautiful outdoor seating area with games and a huge TV for the sports games. There is also the White Duck Taco place inside for food which was very tasty and timely. The distillery offers several drinks made in house and a good moonshine area filled with all kinds of moonshine gift items. We will be back next time!
- Brad Paradis | Google Review
Good Coupons to Use
We came here for a tour and we were really impressed. We have drank moonshine a few times before visiting and after getting to taste alot more flavors we are hooked. Our tour guide was great and very funny. They also give you a shirt and some good coupons to use afterwards.
- Nicole A | Google Review
