Skip to main content

The Return of the Original Tennessee Whiskey: Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery’s First 108

There’s a new Tennessee whiskey on the block, even though it isn’t really new at all. Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, the creators of Belle Meade bourbon (and some pretty damn good special releases) has resurrected a recipe from the 1800s, bringing the first Tennessee whiskey back into production.

Released on July 4th (the birthday of Charles Nelson, the original distiller in the family), Nelson’s First 108 is a commemoration of the last time Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey was produced, one hundred and eight years ago (Charles Nelson closed the distillery in 1909 because of Prohibition).

Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The whiskey is wheated, omitting the rye that now finds its way into Tennessee whiskeys. In addition, only 108 30-gallon barrels were created two years ago when the recipe was produced by the current owners of the distillery, Andy and Charlie Nelson.

Recommended Videos

From those 108 barrels, approximately 2000 cases of 375mL bottles were produced, split between two different versions of the release. The “green label” will contain a 90-proof blend while the “gold label” will be a single barrel expression that is released at cask strength.

Once the first set of cases are gone, they’re gone. Future distillations will be produced in full-size 53-gallon barrels, which will yield a whiskey of a slightly different flavor due to the surface area contact between wood and whiskey. The first bottles of 53-gallon Tennessee whiskey will be released in 2019, with four years of aging under their belt.

With so few bottles available, the best bet is to get yourself down to Nashville and get some before it’s gone. Thankfully, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail has the perfect plan in place, allowing you to not only check out Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, but every other distillery in Tennessee, too.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Kentucky Owl’s new Batch #13 is the final masterpiece from a bourbon legend
Kentucky Owl

Popular whiskey brand Kentucky Owl recently announced the launch of its newest bourbon, Batch #13. It was blended and crafted by former Master Blender John Rhea. What makes the whiskey more unique is that it was the last bourbon blend created by the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member before his retirement.
Kentucky Owl Batch #13

Batch #13 consists of a blend of five different bourbons. There’s a mix of younger and wheated whiskeys and more mature and higher rye whiskeys. The blend is roughly between eight and nine years old.

Read more
This underrated Dunkin’ coffee is smooth, strong, and totally worth the hunt
Don't overlook this coffee staple order
Dunkin nitro cold brew

Nitro cold brew is one of my go-to, anytime coffee orders, and it never disappoints, no matter where you order it. Even though nitro cold brew has grown in popularity, I still find it a "harder to find" coffee shop order when I'm on the go. I crave something about this drink's velvety smoothness—something you don't get from a regular cold brew order.

But why isn't everyone ordering the Dunkin' Nitro cold brew? Maybe Dunkin' just missed the mark on marketing this exceptional drink, but everyone I've talked to seems to have no idea that Dunkin' even has nitro cold brew. Or maybe it's just that this drink is not available at every Dunkin' location. Everyone seems to associate nitro cold brew with Starbucks, yet this drink is available beyond just Starbucks locations. Here's why I'll keep ordering Dunkin's nitro cold brew (and telling everyone I know about this order).
Where to find the Dunkin' nitro cold brew

Read more
When it comes to Champagne, what does the word “Brut” actually mean?
Get to know your bubbly
Champagne flutes

There’s just something about champagne that makes my heart flutter. Maybe it’s the sparkle, maybe it’s that famous cork pop that signals the start of a glamorous time, or maybe it’s the way it makes any cocktail feel special. I love champagne in all its forms, whether it’s bone-dry and bracing or sweet and indulgent. But not all bubbly is created equal, and if you’ve ever been confused by the difference between “brut” and “demi-sec,” you’re not alone. Let’s break down the different types of champagne so you can sip exactly what you love.
Understanding Champagne sweetness levels isn’t just wine snob trivia — it’s the key to choosing a bottle you’ll actually enjoy. Whether you’re a brut loyalist or prefer your Champagne to be softer and sweeter, knowing the differences between brut, extra dry, sec, demi-sec, and doux puts you one step closer to popping the perfect bottle. Let’s break it down, starting with the term you’re most likely to see: Brut.

What is Brut Champagne?

Read more