I've been wanting to go to the Jack Daniels Distillery since moving to TN. I had the day off and decided to go. I didn't realize how close it was, just over a half hour away. It was quite interesting. Here is several stacks of ricks. 2"x2" pieces of sugar maple that is burnt to make charcoal that the whiskey is filtered through. Here they are stacked before they burn them: Unfortunately they wouldn't allow any pictures of the production process. It was interesting though. What I found most interesting is that they make their own white oak barrels and use them once. Other alcohol producers buy their used barrels and use them to make their products. Here is where they make the mash and distill it: This is the cave where they get the water to make Old No. 7. This little building was the main office till 1952: Couple of old fire trucks that were used back in the day in case of a fire. However I don't think they would be of much good if one of the barrel houses that stores thousands upon thousands of gallons of whiskey were to go up in flames. If your ever in the Lynchburg, TN area, you should make a point to check out the tour.
Visited there during Hot Rod Power Tour this summer... what I found most interesting was after smelling the fermenting tank how clear my nose and head was! :<) After we toured the filtration area it seemed the air outside the building smelled like Jack!
Of course. Jack Daniels Distillery is located in a dry county. Not to mention I drink about 3 beers a year tops and maybe a couple mixed drinks. I've never had a desire for alcohol, it gives me a headache instantly. However, the story of how Jack Daniels learned how to make whiskey at the age of 10 and selling it at the age of 13 through his own business, is fascinating. Also if it wasn't for the tenacity of his nephew Lem Motlow, who inherited the distillery, we wouldn't even have heard of Jack Daniels. http://www.tennesseehistory.com/class/JD.htm
Looks like a cool place - A friend is just bottling white rum he put in a JD barrel 12 years ago - its gold now and tastes so smooth - a private reserve.
