Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was a pre-Prohibition historical distillery that operated under the ownership of businessman Charles Nelson and later his widow in Greenbrier, Robertson County, Tennessee, from 1870 to 1909. The brand was re-launched by the great-great-great grandsons of Charles Nelson Tennessee whiskey and other spirits that launched in 2011 and began operating a distillery in 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The historical Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
The original Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was located on Rocky Fork Creek in Greenbrier, Robertson County, Tennessee. It operated from 1867 until it was shut down in 1909 when Tennessee enacted state-level Prohibition of alcoholic beverages. The distillery was acquired in 1870 by Charles Nelson, a Nashville businessman who expanded operations in the ensuing years. The whiskey produced there was sold in other parts of the United States under the label "Nelson's Best". In 1885, the distillery produced 380,000 U.S. gallons of whiskey, making it the largest producer of sour mash 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 distillery in Lynchburg was 23,000 U.S. gallons. Nelson's Green Brier Distillery was a major contributor to the economy and growth of the town of Greenbrier during the late 19th century. It employed about 25 people directly and provided a market for local farmers' corn, locally-made barrels and other local products. Its presence led to the construction of a railroad line and station 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 until 1915. Robertson County whiskey had a reputation for superior quality, but the county's whiskey industry was not revived after Prohibition ended. The distillery equipment was salvaged and shipped to Canada in 1923 to be used for distilling there by Seagram. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places 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 banking, farming and barrel-making industries. The listed property includes a 5-acre 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 spring house that supplied fresh water to the distillery and a barrel house. The site includes a dam 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 typically include tastings and a visit to the production floor. Constellation Brands bought a minority stake in the company in 2016, but the Nelson brothers remain in charge of operations as CEO and COO.
Current product offerings
Tennessee whiskey
Nelson's First 108 Tennessee Whiskey is a limited offering – only available at the distillery – that gets 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 uses the Lincoln County Process with wheat – as opposed to rye – providing the flavor. It is available in a cask-strength, single-barrel version and a 90-proof, small batch blend.
Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee White Whiskey uses 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 incorporates a mash of barley, corn and wheat. It won a bronze medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Belle Meade bourbons
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 is 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 Finishsmall batch whiskey is 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 is a slightly younger blend finished in Limousinoak 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 previously used to age Madeira wine. It recently won a double gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon ages a minimum of nine years and is bottled at cask strength, which leads to some variation in the final ABV. The proof usually ranges from 110 to 120 and is printed on the bottle along with the barrel number.
Other spirits
Louisa's Coffee Caramel Pecan Liqueur is named after the widow of Charles Nelson. Despite the challenges of being a woman in business at the turn of the 20th century, she continued to grow the business for 18 years after her husband's death until Prohibition forced her to close.
