Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour - March 12

On our way home from visiting my parents and sister on March 12, we made a stop in Lynchburg TN to take a free tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery.

We don't buy or drink this stuff, but we are fascinated by factories and factory tours. This tour is free. It is fascinating to see how they make Tennessee sipping whiskey (even if we don't drink it) and you get a free photo and all the lemonade you want at the end of the tour. (This is a dry county. You cannot buy whiskey here except in a special store here at the distillery - except on Sunday, which this was).

This famous statue of Jack Daniels used to be out in front of the spring that the water for the whiskey comes from. It was moved inside and replaced by a more weatherproof statue that I have a picture of further down the blog.

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour - March 12

This tourist photo was posted on the jackdaniels.com website for free a couple of days after our tour.
Right front we have Julia, Mary, Marie, Louisa (who did not want her picture taken) and me.

Jack Daniel's Distillery Tour - March 12

The charcoal the bourbon is filtered through to make whiskey is made by burning the sugar maple stacked "ricks" under this scrubber.

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Louisa and Julia examine an REO Speedwagon fire engine.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Mary in front of "Jack on the Rocks".

This statue stands up to the weather better than the old stone statue that used to be here and is now inside the visitor center.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

The cave spring from which the water for the whiskey comes from.

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

The original Jack Daniel's office.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

This grain truck was making a delivery at the grain mill while we were there.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Mary peering into a Mash tank. 40,000 gallons in a 25 ft deep tank of fermenting corn, malted barley, rye, water and yeast. They have 48 of these tanks.

The tour guide told us that there were no lids on these before 9/11.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Still room. The "No Flash" admonition is because of the alcohol fumes.
The mash comes here after having fermented for awhile.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Computer room. This is glassed in right in the middle of the still room.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Storage tank of the product before mellowing.
Barrel house on hill in background.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Mellowing vat.
Bourbon enters at the top of 10 feet of charcoal. It is Tennessee Whiskey at the bottom.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

The tour guide and several guests would jog the lid to this charcoal mellowing vat to let the smell waft into the room. Several people got in close for a whiff as others left the room quickly. No flash pictures here for fear of fire.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Louisa, Mary, and Julia. Bored out of their skulls at an industrial tour for a product we don't buy or consume.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

For about $9K you can order all the whiskey from a single barrel (bottled) and the barrel it aged in! Purchasers got their names on the wall in this room as well. Mostly celebrities and liqour stores.

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Charred Barrel lecture room.
Mary and Julia

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Beautiful grounds in the Hollow.

 

Jack Daniel's Distillary Tour - March 12

Last Stop - inside the barrel house. No flash inside again!

 

Parent's house construction update - March 11

View from the back yard. Half the old house roof was raised to increase floor space and connect with attic of new construction.

 

Mary with cousin Katie.

 

Roof raised to connect to new attic and increase second floor size.

 

Tankless Water Heater in garage. Cool!

 

Roof connection making new carport

 

The new attic connection from old house to new.