George Dickel Distillery

History

George A. Dickel was an established Nashville operator when he entered the whiskey industry. Geo. A. Dickel & Co. was founded and Cascade Hollow Distillery opened in 1878 in the neighboring Coffee County, where Dickel bought a large stake. A belief that whiskey made in the winter months yields a milder sip led to liquids being cooled to 40 degrees before charcoal filtration for a smooth but complex flavor. From the beginning, the spelling without an 'e' in whiskey has been part of our identity and expression of bringing new perspectives to American tradition.

In the periods after 2018, Nicole Austin as General Manager and Distiller has been the driving force behind innovations such as George Dickel Bottled in Bond and George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend, as well as the Cascade Moon Whisky series. Her work has been recognized with awards such as Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year (2019), Artisan Spirit Magazine's Distiller of the Year (2020) and Icons of Whisky Awards Distillery Manager (2021).

We are proud to be part of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which consists of several distilleries in the state, and to attract visitors to our Cascade Hollow area through visits and experiences.

Production / Manufacturing

We produce whiskey in Cascade Hollow, where the purest water from Cascade Spring is used together with the craftsmanship of the distillery's artisans. According to our tradition, colder winters form the basis for a milder drink, and the liquid is always cooled to 40 degrees before charcoal filtration, which gives a smooth yet complex flavor. 'It takes an extraordinary place to produce an extraordinary whisky' describes our view of the site's significance – Cascade Hollow Lake and the surrounding hills give character in every drop.

The water and craftsmanship at Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. are cornerstones of our identity, and the water source as well as the distillery surroundings are considered part of the unique quality of our whisky.

Products / Whisky Series

• George Dickel Bourbon – our flagship bourbon, produced at our Cascade Hollow distillery with water from Cascade Spring.

• George Dickel Bottled In Bond: Distilling Season Fall 2005 – a Bottled In Bond series highlighting our bonded production format.

• George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration Blend – a series of collaboration blends including:

• Old Pal George

• Neat

• Big Easy Rye

• Cascade Moon Whisky Series – a series launched under Nicole Austin's leadership, expanding our whiskey lineup and experimenting with new characters.

Products and brand focus are clearly oriented toward bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey, with occasional collaboration projects that include rye blends.

Visits / Experiences

Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. is open Thursday to Tuesday for distillery tours, self-guided tastings and the shop. Reservations are recommended to secure a place on tours. Age requirement: 21+ with valid ID for tastings.

Opening hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9:30–16:00

• Sunday: 11:30–16:00

• Wednesday closed

Tours last about an hour and are guided through the distillery. There may be extreme temperatures and strong odors, and about 25% of the tour takes place outdoors. The tours involve walking and stairs, so wear appropriate clothing.

Children are welcome in the shop and on tours, but a 'Minor' ticket is required at booking. Pets are not allowed other than service animals. Whisky cannot be shipped from the visitor center, but merchandise can be shipped.

Guidance and contact:

• Visit via our Visitor Center and our distillery tours, which mainly take place on weekends (if you do not see activity in production on these days).

• Our address and directions follow from our Visit section.

Philosophy

We advocate a new approach to American tradition and strive to deliver excellence in every dram. Our location at Cascade Hollow and the use of pure water from Cascade Spring emphasize our belief that environment and craft shape the flavor. The expression Whisky without an 'e' reflects our long history and commitment to elevating the experience to world-class quality, while continuing to explore new perspectives through partnerships and products such as Cascade Moon and Leopold Bros. collaboration blends. We are dedicated to letting the beauty of Cascade Hollow shine through every glass, and to maintaining a culture that blends tradition with innovation.