Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
Overview of the Distillery
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery is located in Nashville and is known for reviving an 1860 Tennessee Whiskey recipe. The site combines historical heritage with modern visitor experiences: daily tours and tastings, a shop, a restaurant, and an active program of member and community events. The distillery produces both the historic Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and a range of Nelson Brothers releases.
History
The story begins with Charles Nelson, born in 1835 in Germany, who emigrated to the United States and established himself as a distiller in Tennessee. In 1860 the recipe and production were established, and by the late 1800s Nelson's production grew to significant volumes with international distribution. After Charles Nelson's death in 1891, the family continued, but a state prohibition in Tennessee in 1909 led to the distillery's closure and most of the buildings were removed. In 2006, descendants Charlie and Andy Nelson rediscovered the original bottles and recipe; after three years of work the distillery was revived, and the original Tennessee Whiskey was put back into production. In 2023 the Nashville distillery underwent a major renovation that expanded visitor facilities and modern production rooms, while preserving the historic character.
Raw Materials and Production
Production links contemporary operations to a historical recipe from 1860. Product descriptions document the use of a rye/corn blend in their straight rye (the production notes a mashbill of 30% corn) and show that the distillery works with bourbon bases as the foundation for finishes. The water source at the Greenbrier property is described as the source of the distillery's water supply. A notable portion of product development is the import and use of French Cognac casks for finishing, which requires planning of the casks, logistical handling, and shorter additional aging after primary maturation. Additionally, reviving a historical recipe and developing audience experiences are part of the distillery's craft and workflows.
Aging and Cask Types
The distillery uses classic bourbon casks as a base, but has made cask finishing a visible element in its lineup by finishing whiskies in French Cognac casks imported from southwestern France. This approach aims to add fruity and toasted oak notes to the finished releases and is a recurring element in their product development.
Whiskies
The portfolio includes the revived Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and a range of Nelson Brothers products: a Straight Rye, finished expressions such as Cognac Cask, a classic bourbon, and a cream liqueur. Some products are actively marketed via the distillery's shop and online store, while others are highlighted as award-winning or as part of the distillery's historical heritage. The range spans traditional Tennessee- and bourbon-styles to more experimental finishes.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Alcohol | Cask & Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Bros.™ Straight Rye Whiskey | Straight Rye Whiskey; Nelson Brothers | 46.25 % | A rye from the Nelson Brothers line, described as spicy with smoother, sweeter notes than many traditional rye expressions; mashbill contains 30% corn according to the product text. | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's online shop and in-store | |
| Nelson Brothers Cognac Cask | Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Cognac casks | 48.35 % | French oak Cognac casks; finish: Finishing in selected Cognac casks delivers notes of fruit and toasted oak | A blend of straight bourbon, finished in French Cognac casks sourced from southwestern France. The product text highlights caramel, vanilla, cherry and ripe fruit notes as well as toasted oak tones. | Current; Core range; Sold via the distillery's online shop and in-store |
| Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey (Original Tennessee Whiskey) | Tennessee Whiskey | The historic Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey has been revived from an 1860 recipe and was the distillery's first bottle release since 1909. | Current; Core range; Available via the distillery | ||
| Belle Meade Bourbon | Bourbon | Described as an award-winning bourbon in the distillery's presentation of the range. | Current | ||
| Nelson’s Green Brier Cream Liqueur | Cream Liqueur | Cream liqueur spiked with the distillery's Tennessee Whiskey and notes of chocolate, hazelnut and pecan; available at the distillery and in the online shop. | Current; Core range; Sold at the distillery and online | ||
| Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon | Bourbon | The classic bourbon from Nelson Brothers, which is also used as the base for finishing in French Cognac casks. | Current; Sold through the distillery's channels |
The Whisky Styles and Flavor Profile
Across the products, three clear directions recur: spice (especially in Straight Rye), sweetness and vanilla notes (emphasized in bourbon-based expressions), and fruity notes from Cognac finishes, where cherry and ripe fruits as well as toasted oak tones are mentioned. The interplay between sweeter bourbon elements and spicy rye components, along with the finish in French casks, forms the distillery's central flavor signature.
Visit the Distillery
The Nashville distillery offers daily tours and tastings with posted times for Sun–Thu and Fri–Sat. A Gift & Bottle Shop is open seven days a week with extended weekend hours, and the site houses a restaurant/bar with separate opening times. In addition to standard tours, the distillery offers special experiences such as Bottle Your Own Brier, Premium Tasting Experiences, Supper Club, and member activities through the Coopers Club. Visitors can purchase products in the shop or online, and events and community-oriented activities are held regularly.
The stated hours are Distillery Tour & Tasting: Sun–Thu 11:00–17:00 | Fri–Sat 11:00–18:00. Gift & Bottle Shop: Sun–Thu 11:00–18:00 | Fri–Sat 11:00–19:00. Restaurant: Wed–Sat 11:30–17:00 | Sun brunch 10:00–15:00.
Philosophy and Craft
Nelson's Green Brier combines respect for a historic family recipe with a modern willingness to innovate, especially in cask finishing. The distillery's values include reviving heritage, engaging with the local community through events and membership programs, and focusing on guest experiences via tours, tastings, and an integrated restaurant.
Awards and Recognitions
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Platinum (2024, Platinum awarded to Nelson Bros Rye, Nelson Bros.™ Straight Rye Whiskey)
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Silver and Gold medals (Several silver and gold medals for Green Brier)