ABOUT US

The Tennessee Distillers Guild is a membership organization consisting of 40+ distilleries across the state ranging from internationally-recognized brands to local, craft distilleries. The members work together to promote, grow, advocate for the distilling industry.

TN Distillers Guild Members

ABOUT US

The Tennessee Distillers Guild is a membership organization consisting of 31 distilleries across the state ranging from internationally-recognized brands to local, craft distilleries. The members work together to promote, grow, advocate for the distilling industry.

OUR TEAM

Charity Toombs

Charity Toombs

Executive Director

Kim Mitchell

Kim Mitchell

Events Director

Matt Russell

Matt Russell

Lobbyist

Rob Pinson

Rob Pinson

Attorney

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alex Castle

Alex Castle

President, Old Dominick Distillery

Andy Nelson

Andy Nelson

Board Member, Nelson's GreenBrier Distillery

Chris Fletcher

Chris Fletcher

Vice President, Jack Daniel Distillery

Rachael Sykes

Rachael Sykes

Secretary, Nashville Craft

Jessie Blalock

Jessie Blalock

Board Member, Old Forge Distillery

Matt Cunningham

Matt Cunningham

Board Member, Old Glory Distilling Co.

Stanton Webster

Stanton Webster

Treasurer, PostModern Distilling

Greg Eidam

Greg Eidam

Board Member, Surgarlands Distilling Co.

Rod Benkovich

Rod Benkovich

Board Member, Cascade Hollow/George Dickel

OUR HISTORY

Tennessee Whiskey Trail launch

RESURRECTION OF TENNESSEE DISTILLING INDUSTRY

In 1810 America housed over 14,000 registered distilleries making 25.5 million gallons of whiskey. At that time, Tennessee had hundreds of distilleries with over 30 in Chattanooga alone. By 1866 distilling was Tennessee’s largest manufacturing industry. That ended abruptly in 1909 when Tennessee passed a law to prohibit manufacturing alcohol, which was ten years before nationwide prohibition went into effect. Although federal prohibition was repealed in 1933 and Tennessee’s in 1937, from then to 2009, only three counties allowed distilling: Moore County (Jack Daniels), Coffee County (George Dickel) and Lincoln County (Prichards). In 2009 former State Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and former State Representative Joe Carr (R-Lascassas) passed a bill to allow distilling in 41 additional counties. Later legislation increased that to number to at least 75 counties having the option to distill in some portion of its border. These legislative efforts paved the way for the burgeoning distilling industry thriving today in Tennessee.

THE TENNESSEE DISTILLERS GUILD FORMATION

The Tennessee Distillers Guild was officially formed on February 28, 2014 with 13 members. The Guild created effective bylaws to reflect one distillery, one vote and established and elected their first board of directors. The Guild’s three main goals were to responsibly promote Tennessee spirits, advocate for the industry at the local, state, and federal level, and create a network for distillers to connect with and support each other. Other key features of the Guild include an associate member program to establish partnerships and generate revenue as well as a Code of Conduct to protect the Guild’s reputation and ensure all distilleries operate in an honest, legal, and ethical manner.