Nelson's Green Brier Distillery is a whiskey distillery located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee that produces different varieties of Tennessee whiskey and bourbons. The distillery offers daily public tours and tastings as well as a large mercantile shop with bottles, barware and apparel available for purchase. In July 2023, Nelson's Green Brier Distillery opened a newly renovated distillery restaurant and full-service bar at thei
1414 Clinton St. Nashville, TN 37203
location. The same facility also now offers four new private event and dining spaces available to rent for corporate functions, weddings and celebrations of varying sizes. The original Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was a pre-Prohibition historical distillery that operated under the ownership of businessman Charles Nelson and later his widow, Louisa, in Greenbrier, Robertson County,

Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...

, from 1860 to 1909. The brand was re-launched by the Nelsons' great-great-great-grandsons in 2011 and they began operating in 2014 in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

producing award-winning Belle Meade Bourbon, Nelson's Green Brier

Tennessee whiskey Tennessee Whiskey is straight whiskey produced in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Although it has been legally defined as a bourbon whiskey in some international trade agreements, most current producers of Tennessee Whiskey disclaim references to ...

, Nelson Brothers bourbons, and other spirits.

History

The original Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was located on Rocky Fork Creek in Greenbrier, Robertson County,

. It operated from 1867 until it was shut down in 1909 when Tennessee enacted state-level

Prohibition Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic b ...

of alcoholic beverages. The distillery was acquired in 1870 by Charles Nelson, a Nashville businessman who expanded operations in the ensuing years. The

whiskey Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor made from Fermentation in food processing, fermented grain mashing, mash. Various grains (which may be Malting, malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, Maize, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky ...

produced there was sold in other parts of the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

under the label "Nelson's Best". In 1885, the distillery produced of whiskey, making it the largest producer of

sour mash Sour mash (or sourmash) is a process used in the distilling industry that uses material from an older batch of mash to adjust the acidity of a new mash. The term can also be used as the name of the type of mash used in such a process, and a bo ...

whiskey in Robertson County during a time when whiskey production was a major industry in Tennessee and the county was one of the state's largest producers. At that time, the annual production capacity of the

Jack Daniel's Jack Daniel's is a brand of Tennessee whiskey produced at Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, which has been owned by the Brown–Forman Corporation since 1956. Packaged in square bottles, Jack Daniel's "Black Label" Tennessee wh ...

distillery in Lynchburg was . Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was a major contributor to the economy and growth of the town of Greenbrier (spelled as one word) during the late 19th century. It employed about 25 people directly and provided a market for local farmers'

corn Maize (; ''Zea mays''), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout Poaceae, grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples of Mexico, indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago ...

, locally-made barrels and other local products. Its presence led to the construction of a

railroad Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in railway track, tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel railway track, rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of ...

line and

station Station may refer to: Agriculture * Station (Australian agriculture), a large Australian landholding used for livestock production * Station (New Zealand agriculture), a large New Zealand farm used for grazing by sheep and cattle ** Cattle statio ...

in Greenbrier. Whiskey production at the distillery ended after Tennessee enacted prohibition on July 1, 1909, but whiskey produced before that date continued to be sold in other

states State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

until 1915. Robertson County whiskey had a reputation for superior quality, but the county's whiskey industry was not revived after

ended. The distillery equipment was salvaged and shipped to Canada in 1923 to be used for distilling there by

Seagram The Seagram Company Ltd. (which trade name, traded as Seagram's) was a Canadian multinational beverage and during the last few years of its existence, entertainment Conglomerate (company), conglomerate formerly headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. ...

. The site was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 2008. The distillery's listing on the National Register of Historic Places is due to its historical importance in industry and commerce in the state. Additionally, proprietor Charles Nelson was active in the

bank A bank is a financial institution that accepts Deposit account, deposits from the public and creates a demand deposit while simultaneously making loans. Lending activities can be directly performed by the bank or indirectly through capital m ...

ing, farming and

barrel A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container with a bulging center, longer than it is wide. They are traditionally made of wooden stave (wood), staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. The word vat is often used for large containers ...

-making industries. The listed property includes a 5-acre (2.0 ha) area, although the distillery occupied a much larger area. Most of the distillery buildings are no longer present, and the only historical buildings remaining include an early 20th-century

warehouse A warehouse is a building for storing goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial parks on the rural–urban fringe, out ...

, a

spring house A spring house, or springhouse, is a small building, usually of a single room, constructed over a spring. While the original purpose of a springhouse was to keep the spring water clean by excluding fallen leaves, animals, etc., the enclosing str ...

that supplied fresh water to the distillery and a barrel house. The site includes a

dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...

across Rocky Fork Creek, an old mash tub and remnants of building foundations.

Revival of the brand

In 2011, two of the great-great-great-grandsons of Charles Nelson – Charlie and Andy Nelson – announced a plan to revive the Nelson's brand and produce whiskey using Charles Nelson's recipes. In 2013, they began bottling whiskey under the label Belle Meade Bourbon – a brand name used historically by Nelson's – while they waited on the permits and equipment necessary to open their own distillery. On November 23, 2014, the new Nelson's Green Brier Distillery opened in Nashville. Tours highlight the history of the Nelson's Green Brier brand name and the previous distillery, and include tastings and a visit to the production floor.

Constellation Brands Constellation Brands, Inc. is an American producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits. A ''Fortune'' 500 company, Constellation is the largest beer import company in the US, measured by sales, and has the third-largest market share (7.4 pe ...

(through its investment branch Constellation Ventures) bought a minority stake in the company in 2016 and
majority stake
in 2019. The Nelson brothers, Andy and Charlie Nelson, remain heavily involved in the business today. 2022-02-09_NGBD_-_distillery-4278

Current product offerings

Tennessee whiskey

Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey

(Awarded Double Gold, SIP Awards, 2022) Launched in 2019
Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
is based on the recipe for Charles Nelson's original Tennessee Whiskey, making its modern-day bottling the first since 1909. Filtered through a mellowing bed of sugar maple charcoal and aged in new charred oak barrels this wheated mash bill recipe is credited with being the original Tennessee whiskey. Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey is available in all 50 states.

Bourbons

Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon

(Awarded BEST IN SHOW/American Blended Straight Bourbon, TAG Global Spirits Awards, 2023) An expert blend of exceptional, high-rye, straight bourbon whiskeys, well-aged in new, charred American oak barrels and carefully crafted to be equally pleasing neat, on the rocks, or in a favorite cocktail. Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon is available in all 50 states.

Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon

(Awarded #10 Top 20 Whiskies of 2022, Whisky Advocate) The process begins with selecting the choicest lots of well-aged bourbon barrels in the Nelson's Green Brier Distillery inventory. These barrels would craft the ideal foundation of flavor and fragrance to forge this truly premium and balanced expression. Once singled out, the exceptional sources are expertly batched into a superior, high-proof blend, rich with rye, and redolent of dark cherry, caramel, and spice. The result is Nelson Brothers Reserve, a bourbon certain to startle and delight anyone who comes within sipping distance. Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon is available in all 50 states.

Nelson Brothers Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon

Nelson Brothers’ Cask Finish Series represents a glorious union of tradition and creativity in the distiller's craft: select barrels of celebrated bourbon are enlivened by the characteristic aromas and flavors of the special casks that host the final stage of the aging process. The Oloroso casks selected by the Nelson Brothers team restore the robustness and fortitude of sherry's true Spanish character. When Nelson Brothers bourbon enters those casks for its final stage of aging, the results draw out the dark colors, sweet notes (brown sugar, vanilla, raisins), and long, warm finish—with a hint of spicy bite. Nelson Brothers Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon is available in select states.

Nelson Brothers Mourvèdre Cask Finish

When Nelson Brothers’ bourbon meets the casks provided by Withers Winery in the Sierra Foothills, the result is an irresistible mélange of aromas and flavors—almond, cherry, sandalwood, currant, black licorice, cumin—that magnifies the best elements of both grape and grain. Nelson Brothers Mourvèdre Cask Finish Bourbon is available in select states.

Nelson Brothers Rye

The Nelson Brothers’ talent for creative variations on classic traditions continues with this audacious take on an old favorite. Nelson Brothers Rye preserves the zesty, bracing bite the spirit is famous for, while elevating the flavors and aromas often neglected by more conventional rye mash bills.

Other spirits

Louisa's Coffee Caramel Pecan Liqueur Louisa Nelson was a woman of remarkable strength and character who ran Nelson's Green Brier Distillery from 1891 until Prohibition shuttered it in 1909. She grew the distillery into one of the largest in the country at the time despite the great odds against her, including not having the right to vote. Nelson's Green Brier Distillery has created this line of liqueurs in her honor to help tell her story and teach the world about the pioneering spirit that she was. Louisa's Liqueur shows robust flavors and aromas of caramel, coffee and pecans. As a liqueur, it is sweet but not too sweet, so it does well neat or on the rocks. It also makes a perfect addition to coffee or poured over ice cream, and it's great in a cocktail. Schatzi Vodka and Nelson Brothers Dry Gin are available on-site at the distillery in specially crafted cocktails at the bar and restaurant.

Previous products

Belle Meade Bourbon

Using family recipes, the Nelson brothers began using stock at a distillery in Indiana to start making Belle Meade Bourbon in 2012. After releasing the initial bourbon, they continued to add other variations that were finished in used barrels acquired from European distillers that featured different flavor profiles. * Belle Meade Bourbon: a high-rye straight bourbon produced in small batches and bottled at 90 proof. It won a double gold medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. * Belle Meade Sherry Cask Finish: small batch whiskey finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks after originally aging nine years. It won a double gold medal and Best Special Barrel Finish Bourbon at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. * Belle Meade Cognac Cask Finish a slightly younger blend finished in

Limousin Limousin (; ) is a former administrative region of southwest-central France. Named after the old province of Limousin, the administrative region was founded in 1960. It comprised three departments: Corrèze, Creuse, and Haute-Vienne. On 1 Jan ...

oak casks formerly used to age Fine Champagne XO cognacs in France. It won a gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. * Belle Meade Madeira Cask Finish rests after aging in slightly larger barrels (59 gallons) previously used to age Madeira wine. It won a double gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. * Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon aged a minimum of nine years and bottled at cask strength, which lead to some variation in the final ABV. The proof ranges from 110 to 120 and is printed on the bottle along with the barrel number.

Nelson's First 108 Tennessee Whiskey

(a limited, distillery only release) – that got its name from two things: the total number of barrels produced and the 108-year time gap that occurred between the company's forced shutdown due to Prohibition and its revival. Based on an original Charles Nelson recipe, the whiskey used the

Lincoln County Process The Lincoln County Process is a step used in producing almost all Tennessee whiskeys. The whiskey is filtered through—or steeped in—charcoal chips before going into the casks for aging. The process is named for Lincoln County, Tennessee, w ...

with wheat – as opposed to rye – providing the flavor. It was made available in a cask-strength (not diluted with water), single-barrel version and a 90-proof, small batch blend.

Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee White Whiskey

(used the charcoal-based Lincoln County Process to mellow a recipe created more than 100 years ago. Single distilled, unaged and bottled at 91 proof, it incorporated a mash of barley, corn and wheat and won a bronze medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

References

External links

* {{National Register of Historic Places Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Tennessee Buildings and structures in Robertson County, Tennessee Distilleries in Tennessee National Register of Historic Places in Robertson County, Tennessee Defunct manufacturing companies based in Tennessee Tennessee whiskey