Company Distilling readies for people to ‘gather around’
TOWNSEND, Tenn. — Whiskey fans should start planning a trip to Townsend.
After facing pandemic-related delays, Company Distilling’s newly constructed Townsend tasting room should open July 8. Guests will be able to taste spirits, tour the production facility and listen to live music.
In April 2021, Company launched publicly and announced it was investing $20 million into an Alcoa headquarters and a tasting room in Townsend.
Company Distilling was founded by a team of whiskey experts, including former Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett. The brand is distributing its first product, a Tennessee bourbon, across the state.
“What’s unique about us is the ability as a new company to assemble so much experience into one team with such complementary skill set,” Arnett said. “I feel like we got the bench strength to do something really special for Company, and not every brand starts off with all those advantages.”
The roughly 3,700-square-foot Townsend facility is located off Highway 321 along Little River and will act as a production center as well as a tasting room.
In addition to offering sips of whiskeys and spirits, the distillery will brew some lighter beers to pair.
Inside the tasting room, guests can sit down at the bar or on some cushy chairs while looking out the building’s glass front for a view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests can peer behind the bar to get a glimpse of the distilling room where Company will produce all its whiskey.
“It’s a small footprint, but I think we’ll be able to do some wonderful things here,” said Kevin Smith, director of distilling and brewing. “I’m hoping that with this system, we’ll be able to lay down a couple of barrels a week, which is would be a pretty phenomenal effort for this size facility.”
When the weather is nice, guests will have access to a 2,500-squarefoot outdoor area with a patio.
Maryville Italian restaurant Amici will open an restaurant inside called Amico, which is Italian for “a friend.”
“Food has consistently been a contributor to creating friendships and impactful impressions for our guests,” Amici chef and owner Chris Thompson said. “It’s clear Company Distilling has similar goals of creating long-lasting relationships by bringing people together to share something they can all enjoy.”
The menu will be announced at a later date.
Company’s Alcoa facility will open sometime in 2023 or 2024 and is expected to create at least 50-60 jobs, but president and co-founder Kris Tatum said there could be more.
The roughly 25,000-square-foot building will be used for storing 10,000-15,000 barrels, according to Arnett. The facility will also have a tasting room, restaurant, retail and outdoor entertainment space.
Little work has been done to the Alcoa brick factory building, which was built in 1919. Arnett said the building’s structure is solid, and it “just needed a little bit of love.” Plans for the design have not been finalized.
The 31-acre plot of land across the street from Alcoa High School was chosen in part because of its proximity to traffic off Highway 35.
“We liked the fact that this property was largely untouched,” Arnett said. “When you look at this building, obviously you got to have a lot of vision.”
Arnett and Tatum said they want the Alcoa facility to not just be a place tourists come to try some Tennessee whiskey, but also a place for community members to gather.
“With Alcoa coming online for us, we feel like we have we can build basically a center to create a national brand,” Arnett said. “Ultimately, our aspirations are more than just being a small, regional brand.”
Right now, Arnett, Tatum and Smith are focused on “getting their feet wetter” at the Townsend facility, but then it’s all hands on deck getting Alcoa ready and renovating what was formerly H. Clark Distilling in Thompson’s Station.
Company acquired H. Clark earlier this year for an undisclosed sum, and the acquisition will allow the company to add gin to its portfolio and increase production. The acquisition of H. Clark was a crucial step in Company’s statewide expansion.
Company’s inaugural 90-proof straight bourbon whiskey finished with maple wood is on shelves now. Arnett said it’s approachable for new whiskey drinkers, while also being strong enough for more experienced sippers.
“Part of the brand’s philosophy is that we want to be able to take the mature drinker and the new drinker and have that one bottle that both can enjoy together,” Arnett said.
Company announced on social media it will launch Ghost Rail gin, which will be distilled and bottled in Thompson’s Station.
More products will be launched leading up the grand opening.