Tennessee Whisky. Yes whisky. There’s only one and it is George Dickel. Nestled in the hills of Middle Tennessee, this distillery provides bucolic scenery and iconic whiskey well worth the quick trip from Nashville to take this unforgettable tour.

The History

In the mid-1800’s George A. Dickel, a Nashville Merchant, began rectifying whiskey and developed a reputation for quality and smoothness. In 1878, he invested in the Cascade Hollow Distillery in Coffee County, TN which in 1958 began to produce Geo. A Dickel Tennessee Whisky. (No typo there, the Dickel tradition follows their Scottish forefathers in the spelling of whiskey) For nearly 6 decades, George Dickel has, along with its neighbor Jack Daniel’s, been the mainstay of TN Whiskey. Consistency, quality, and a dedication to craft are the defining characteristics for George Dickel. A draw unto itself, this tour will give you a glimpse into the larger side of the craft industry.

The Offerings

Historically, George Dickel has offered two main products. George Dickel Classic No. 8 Tennessee Whisky, which they describe as “A bold whisky with aromas of light caramel and wood. A smoky finish with hints of maple and buttered corn.” They also produce George Dickel Superior No. 12, which they describe as “Concentrated flavors of rich oak and subtle vanilla lead to a long finish with hints of maple, butter and smoke. A whisky with enormous depth, range and personality – considered by many to be the gold standard of Tennessee Whisky.”

Some of the more recent offerings include George Dickel No. 1 Whisky, an unaged white whisky expressing the the very heart, the pre-mellowed expression of this classic Tennessee spirit. Along with their newest Rye Whisky they offer a Barrel Select. The George Dickel Barrel Select is unique for them in that only 10 barrels are hand-selected by their Distiller for this small-batch handcrafted whisky. Here is how they describe it, “Aged between 10 and 12 years. Charcoal mellowing and our unique aging process form a smooth, premium whisky that stands in a class all by itself. A perfectly balanced, rich and silky taste with hints of vanilla, spice and charcoal.”

They have one new and very special offering, the George Dickel 17 year-old Tennessee Whisky. Only available in the gift shop and select liquor stores in Tennessee, this is a unique opportunity from a distillery who typically only keeps their offerings for 10-12 years. The flavors are a lovely blend of oak, caramel, smoke, and grain, with a finish that leaves you feeling as relaxed as an an afternoon in Cascade Hollow. As a result of its limited distribution, the George Dickel 17 year-old Tennessee Whisky is highly sought after as both a luxurious spirit and a collector’s trophy – it is the oldest Tennessee Whiskey released in recent time.

The Tour

If you have an opportunity to choose an out of town excursion, strongly consider George Dickel. While not as overwhelming in scale as its neighbor in Lynchburg, the tour provides context for a distillery which is well established and confident in its quality. The approach to Cascade Hollow alone is worth the drive. You’ll not only arrive in comfort with TN Whiskey Trail Tours, but your guide will enlighten you about the region in an informative and entertaining way. Choose TN Whiskey Trail Tours and allow Grand Avenue to deliver the best of TN Whiskey (and Whisky) in style.

Who: George A. Dickel & Co. Distillery
Where: 1950 Cascade Hollow Rd, Tullahoma, TN 37388