If you’re a whiskey lover visiting Nashville, you’re in the right place. Tennessee whiskey isn’t just something we serve, it’s part of our story. From barrel tastings and guided distillery tours to secret speakeasies and legacy brands, there are whiskey experiences in Nashville for every kind of traveler.
This local guide highlights 10 unforgettable whiskey tours, tastings, and bars, including a few you might miss without insider tips. Whether you're planning a bachelor party, a birthday, or a solo sip-and-stroll, this list is your whiskey roadmap.
Prefer to taste with transportation handled? A guided distillery bus tour lets you explore more in less time, and you never have to worry about a designated driver.
- 01Hot Chicken & Whiskey Tour by Van
- 02Tennessee Whiskey Workshop
- 03Nashville Barrel Co Premium Tasting
- 04Flight from the Barrel
- 05Premier Distillery & Brewery Bus Tour
- 06Uncle Nearest Bus Tour
- 07Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour
- 08Nelson’s Green Brier Tour
- 09Gertie’s Bar at 404 Kitchen
- 10Standard Proof Whiskey Co.
- 11Red Phone Booth Speakeasy
I only recommend top-rated, locally owned Nashville experiences I know and trust. As a local guide, I’ve personally vetted everything on this page. I may earn a small commission at no cost to you, which helps support this site and the local businesses we love.
Nashville Hot Chicken and Whiskey Tour
1. Hot Chicken & Whiskey Tour by Van
Best for: groups, celebrations, and food lovers who want it all.
The Hot Chicken and Whiskey Tour Nashville blends two iconic local flavors into one unforgettable afternoon. You’ll visit top-rated local spots for whiskey tastings and enjoy spicy hot chicken while learning about the city’s rich distilling culture. It's one of the most unique and flavorful whiskey experiences in Nashville, especially for first-time visitors who want to sample the city’s signature heat and hospitality.
Includes multiple whiskey tastings and hot chicken from a beloved local joint
Great for birthdays, bachelorettes, or couples who love flavor and fun
Transportation is included - no need to drive
Perfect Your Whiskey Cocktail Skills
2. Tennessee Whiskey Workshop
Best for: hands-on experiences, cocktail lovers, and curious travelers.
Looking for a hands-on way to dive into Tennessee whiskey? The Tennessee Whiskey Workshop is one of Nashville’s most fun and interactive experiences. It’s perfect for cocktail lovers, birthday groups, or anyone who wants to do more than just sip.
Led by hospitality pros like Chris Mallon, this 90-minute session teaches you to make three different versions of the Old Fashioned, each one using Tennessee whiskey as its base. You'll learn bartender secrets, tasting tips, and local whiskey history as you shake, stir, and sip your way through a guided cocktail class.
What’s Included:
Expert-led cocktail instruction (90 minutes total)
3 full-size craft cocktails made by you
Stories, laughs, and whiskey education
East Nashville location (easy to reach)
Whether you're a cocktail nerd or a total beginner, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for Tennessee whiskey, and some new bar skills to show off.
“This is not a sit-and-sip tour. It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, pour-the-bourbon, and stir-it-yourself kind of night.”
Nashville Barrel Co Tasting Experience
3. Nashville Barrel Company Premium Guided Tasting
Best for: serious sippers and those curious about barrel-proof whiskey.
Led by expert guides, this Nashville Barrel Co guided tasting dives deep into small-batch and limited-release expressions. It’s one of the most refined whiskey tastings in Nashville, offering a quiet, elevated experience perfect for both newcomers and seasoned bourbon collectors.
Hosted by one of Nashville’s premier whiskey brands
Features rare and experimental barrel releases
Intimate, guided setting with personalized insight
Straight From the Barrel Tasting Nashville
4. “Flight from the Barrel” at Nashville Barrel Co
Best for: budget-friendly tasters and barrel-heads.
One of the most unique whiskey flights in Nashville, this experience lets you pull whiskey straight from aging barrels at Nashville Barrel Co. It’s an interactive, educational tasting where you’ll learn how oak, time, and environment shape the flavor profile. If you’re looking for a truly hands-on whiskey experience in Nashville, this is the one.
Most affordable option on this list
Interactive and educational
Rare opportunity to taste whiskey mid-aging
Craft Beer and Whiskey Tour Nashville
5. Premier Distillery & Craft Brewery Bus Tour
Best for: groups who want both beer and spirits.
This Nashville distillery tour blends the best of both worlds, local craft beer and Tennessee whiskey, into one fun, flexible outing. You’ll visit multiple breweries and distilleries, enjoy 9+ tastings, and ride in comfort aboard a luxury mini-bus. It’s one of the top picks for anyone looking for a group-friendly craft beer and whiskey tour in Nashville that covers a lot of ground.
Includes whiskey and craft beer tastings
Great for bachelor parties, birthdays, or group outings
Transportation and guide included
Uncle Nearest Tour Nashville
6. Uncle Nearest Bus Tour with Tastings
Best for: history lovers and cultural travelers.
This powerful and memorable Uncle Nearest tour from Nashville takes you to the stunning distillery honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green who was the first known African American master distiller. You’ll explore the legacy he left behind, sip award-winning spirits, and dive deep into Tennessee whiskey history. It’s one of the most meaningful whiskey experiences in Nashville, especially for those who want culture and storytelling with every pour.
Round-trip transportation from Nashville
Tastings included
A meaningful story behind every pour
Jack Daniel’s Tour from Nashville
7. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour, Live Music & BBQ
Best for: iconic experiences and full-day adventurers.
This full-day Jack Daniel’s tour from Nashville takes you behind the scenes at the world’s most iconic whiskey brand. Located in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the experience includes a full Lynchburg whiskey tour, tastings of multiple Jack Daniel’s expressions, a Southern BBQ lunch, and live music from a local singer songwriter. It’s a top rated experience and a must-do for any whiskey fan visiting Music City.
Explore the Lynchburg distillery grounds
Sample multiple Jack Daniel’s expressions
Includes food, music, and history
Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Tour
8. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery Tour
Best for: whiskey and bourbon sippers and history buffs.
This whiskey distillery tour in Nashville brings a legacy brand back to life. The Nelson’s Green Brier tour walks you through the history of one of Tennessee’s most iconic pre-Prohibition distilleries, now revived by the founders’ descendants. Located near The Gulch, it’s an easy and enriching stop for anyone exploring Nashville’s whiskey scene.
Central location in the city
Tour + tasting + cocktail bar access
Try the Tennessee whiskey and bourbon cream
After your tour at Nelson’s Green Brier, walk to the other side of the Marathon Motor Works Building and do a tasting or tour at Corsair Distillery. They make some of the most unique liquors in Nashville including a triple smoke bourbon, vanilla bean vodka, and pumpkin spice moonshine (all with no added sugars), but my favorite is their red absinthe, it’s divine!
Whiskey Flights Nashville
9. Gertie’s Bar at 404 Kitchen
Best for: quiet nights, whiskey lists, and sipping something special.
If you’re searching for the most thoughtfully curated whiskey flights in Nashville, Gertie’s Bar at 404 Kitchen delivers. With over 200 whiskey options and a knowledgeable staff ready to build custom flights, it’s easily one of the best bourbon bars in Nashville for a relaxed, upscale evening.
Try rare, single-barrel, or limited-release options
Ask for curated flights or off-menu pours
Pair your tasting with Southern-inspired small plates
Both 404 Kitchen and Gertie’s Whiskey Bar closed permanently on January 1, 2026, after more than 12 years in the Gulch.
Eight years and 22,000-plus guests in, I’ve watched a lot of my favorite Nashville spots quietly close their doors, and I’m tired of it. It’s sad every single time. I’m not going to stop talking about it. And going forward, I’m not removing closed local recommendations from my posts. Instead, I’ll add a note of when they shut their doors, because they were here, they were beloved, and they deserve to be remembered. The rooms that built this city’s hospitality are the same ones that need us showing up, and every pour you buy at a small, independent bar, distillery, or restaurant in Nashville is a vote to keep places like this alive.
10. Standard Proof Whiskey Co. (Downtown)
Best for: curious sippers, infusion fans, and anyone who thinks they don’t like whiskey.
With Gertie’s closed, Standard Proof Whiskey Co. is now my favorite spot for a serious whiskey flight in downtown Nashville. The tasting room (just steps from Broadway on Rep. John Lewis Way) pours a six-glass flight that walks you through their straight rye plus five naturally infused expressions: Arabica Coffee, Honeysuckle, Texas Pecan, Ginger Root, and Cinnamon Spiced (which won Best Flavored Whiskey in the World at the 2022 World Whiskey Awards).
It’s the rare flight that’s genuinely educational, the infusions are real fruit, herbs, and spices steeped in the rye, no syrups or shortcuts, so you get to taste how each one shifts the base whiskey’s character. It’s also one of the only whiskey experiences in Nashville where I can confidently bring someone who swears they don’t like whiskey and watch them change their mind.
Six-pour flight: straight rye plus five infused expressions
Walk-in tasting room downtown, no reservation required
Cocktails and full bar service if you’d rather sip than flight
Featured on our Downtown Nashville Food Tour
Speakeasy Whiskey Experience in Nashville
11. Red Phone Booth Speakeasy
Best for: night owls and people who love a little mystery.
Red Phone Booth is one of the top whiskey bars in downtown Nashville, offering a Prohibition-era vibe with serious pours and even more serious exclusivity. This speakeasy whiskey experience in Nashville requires a secret code to enter, but once inside, you’ll find an impressive whiskey and bourbon menu served with old-school hospitality.
Strict dress code and reservations encouraged
Classic Prohibition-inspired atmosphere
Huge whiskey and bourbon selection
How to Choose the Right Whiskey Experience in Nashville
For a Full Day Adventure
Go with Jack Daniel’s or Uncle Nearest bus and van tours from Nashville. Both include transportation, tastings, and rich storytelling.
For Whiskey & Food
The Hot Chicken & Whiskey Tour is your winner, with bold local flavors and curated spirits.
For Whiskey Education
Try the Tennessee Whiskey Workshop to get hands-on with blending and tasting.
For the Budget-Conscious
Book the Flight from the Barrel for just $35, or sample flights at Gertie’s Bar.
For Group Travel
Choose the Premier Distillery & Brewery Tour or the Hot Chicken & Whiskey Tour for group-friendly vibes.
FAQ: Planning Your Whiskey Tour in Nashville
What are the best whiskey tastings in Nashville?
Top picks include Nashville Barrel Co, the Tennessee Whiskey Workshop, and Uncle Nearest.
How much do whiskey tastings cost?
They range from $35 to $169 depending on the experience, transportation, and food.
Can I visit Jack Daniel’s from Nashville?
Yes! Several tours offer full-day trips with round-trip transportation from the city.
Where can I get whiskey flights in Nashville?
Try Gertie’s Bar at 404 Kitchen for curated flights, or Red Phone Booth for rare sips in a Prohibition-era speakeasy setting.
Is there a whiskey experience good for groups or parties?
Absolutely. The Hot Chicken & Whiskey Tour and Premier Bus Tour are great for birthdays, bachelor parties, and group outings.
More to Explore
Where to Sip Whiskey in Nashville - Best Whiskey Bars in Nashville
Best BBQ in Nashville: The Ultimate Local Guide to Ribs, Brisket, and More
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