Adventure

The story of his death — it involves kicking the safe that still sits in the space that was his office — is morbidly fascinating.

There are a few different tour options, and our group enjoyed the Angel’s Share tour, which culminated in a tasting of five higher-end Jack Daniel’s whiskeys. Before the tour, at least, I did not consider myself a big fan of Jack, but this proved to be my favorite of the tastings I enjoyed on the trail. Oh, No. 27 Gold — how I still think of you.

From Lynchburg, we took a fairly short drive to Tullahoma, home of the George Dickel Distillery — another large operation, if not Jack Daniel’s-large. Using virtually the same process they have had since 1958, we were told, George Dickel produces about 200,000 cases of spirits per year.

If he’s available, arrange a tasting with Brian Downing, whose business card states he is the George Dickel Distillery ambassador. He absolutely geeks out over spirits and enthusiastically guided us through tasting six varieties, which, for the most part, are priced more affordably than their Jack counterparts.

“This will be the nerdiest tasting you’ve ever been on,” Downing said before backing that up by grilling us about the flavor notes we could detect in each taste.

The most colorful character I encountered on the trail, however, was Matt “Pops” Mayo, head tour guide and brand ambassador — apparently that’s a thing — at the charming and picturesque Leiper’s Fork Distillery, outside the likewise charming city of Franklin.

At Leiper’s Fork, you start in the beautiful, immaculately maintained cabin that dates to the early 1820s and that at one point apparently was moved from a different spot on the property. While their facility is quite impressive — Pops refers to the still as “Ginger” and says, “Ginger is my girlfriend” — it is, again, the tasting that’s the thing. A tasting with Pops was a blast, his face becoming quite animated as he “chewed” on the different whiskeys, which are doubledistilled for a smoother taste.

“My work day’s better than your vacation,” Pops said.

If you plan a vacation around the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, you also could consider driving to the very small-but-growing H Clark Distillery, about 20 minutes to the south. The business’ namesake is Heath Clark, who a few years ago left the law profession to follow this dream, running H Clark with wife Becky. She’s the resident gin lover — he referred to her at point during our visit as the “Gin Wolf” — and she passes judgment on the gin they make, while he’s the whiskey man.

Theirs is a minimalist operation, but that could change due in no small part to the creation and marketing of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail.

“It’s had an immediate impact,” he says. “It’s been kind of crazy.”

It takes more of a drive — to Woodbury, a good 65 miles southeast of Nashville — but the destination that is Short Mountain Distillery may just be worth it. The property’s lush, sprawling 420 acres could serve as a nice spot for a family to spend an afternoon. On the late afternoon we were there, a disc golf event was happening. And don’t fear — there’s a cafe at Short Mountain, so you can fill up before heading out for a long drive back.

Of course, you should taste the many varieties of whiskey, including some fun flavors such as Cherry Smoked Chocolate Rye and Apple Pie.

Many of the spirits’ ingredients, such as the corn, come from the farm on the property.

“We are the only certified organic distillery facility in the state of Tennessee,” said our very-bearded guide, who was standing in for owner Billy Kaufman. “We’re it.”

Believe it or not, Sugar Mountain sits in what otherwise is a dry county.