Father's Day the Tennessee way: Celebrate with one of these local whiskeys

Maddy Welsh, Nashville Tennessean
Updated ·3 min read
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Father’s Day is coming up.

This year, why not celebrate the Tennessee way, with a bottle — or more — of authentic, local whiskey.

Isaac Jensen, assistant general manager of Red Spirits and Wine in Nashville, has recommended five bottles to try, guaranteed to treat the dads in your life. Let's take a look.

Leiper's Fork

Leiper's Fork has been home to Leiper's Fork Distillery since 2016 and produces a highly-rated Leiper's Fork Tennessee Whiskey.

"It’s bottled in bond, which means it’s at least four years old, and it’s distilled in one distilling season," Jensen said.

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The whiskey is made with locally-grown, non-GMO grains and is pot distilled "for a pre-Prohibition style."

The distillery's website says the flavor profile includes milk chocolate, roasted coffee, ripe plum, dark cherry and honey. It sits at an even 100 proof and is $79.99 per bottle.

Chattanooga Whiskey

Chattanooga Whiskey's Cask 111 is a straight bourbon whiskey. It's unfiltered, so it's not a traditional Tennessee whiskey — which can only be legally considered such if it's filtered through charcoal — but it's a local specialty that boasts a high malt recipe.

The 12-year-old distillery that produces it became Chattanooga's first distillery in more than 100 years when it was founded in 2011. The price tag for an 111-proof bottle is $49.99.

Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest Whiskey is a great option for the history-loving dad who wants to watch a documentary about his whiskey while he sips. This highly-awarded spirit gets its name from Nearest Green, the Black man who taught Jack Daniel everything he knew about distilling classic Tennessee whiskey.

The 432-acre Nearest Green Shelbyville distillery is called "Malt Disney World" on its website. With many varieties available, from single barrel to rye, prices range from $49 to $79.

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Nelson's Green Brier

For a more affordable gift, Jensen recommends Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey.

"Their sour mash Tennessee Whiskey is great, and it floats around 30 to 35 bucks for people, depending on the store," he said.

Green Brier's original Tennessee Whiskey is made with a 19th century family recipe rediscovered by Nelson brothers, Andy and Charlie. When they opened their distillery, it was the first time the recipe had been bottled since 1909, the brothers said. The 91-proof spirit has won multiple awards since it hit the shelves.

Southern Collective

Southern Collective Spirit Company offers far more than just a bottle or two of specialty whiskey — it offers an experience. If dad wants a higher-end whiskey experience, take him to Southern Collective's distillery in downtown Nashville for a tour and a tasting, where he can tap his own barrel to create a custom blend.

"It’s a great time. The bottles look really great, and you can wax dip them and all that sort of stuff," Jensen said.

For a custom bottle, the cost is $120, making it a great option to spoil dad a little extra on Father's Day.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Father's Day: Give him the best Tennessee whiskeys this year