Get ready to sip, celebrate, and savor the holidays as the Tennessee Whiskey Trail launches its festive “Carols & Barrels” program. Kicking off on November 11 and running through January 5, 2025, this holiday initiative invites whiskey enthusiasts to explore ten participating distilleries and tasting rooms across Middle Tennessee, each featuring unique decorations, themes, cocktails, and entertainment.
Participants include some of the region's most beloved venues, with each location offering specialty cocktails, adding a creative twist to holiday favorites. Notable drinks include Standard Proof’s “The Filthy Animal,” a peppermint white chocolate espresso martini, and Stable Reserve’s “Cousin Eddie” bourbon custard. Other delightful options include the Spiced Cherry Mule from Leiper’s Fork and “The Chairman’s Cheer” made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple.
For an extra layer of holiday fun, attendees can participate in a digital passport program. By checking in at each location, visitors can enter to win spirited prizes, including a Trail-branded ice mold for those who visit more than five stops, and a bar kit for completing the trail. Pre-registration for the 2025 Carols & Barrels passport is available at tnwhiskeytrail.com/carols-and-barrels.
Charity Toombs, executive director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, emphasizes the program’s mission: “Carols & Barrels is a fun way to raise consumer awareness of our members. The holidays bring people together, and we hope this experience encourages exploration of the trail’s offerings.”
Join the festivities, vote for your favorite holiday cocktail on Instagram @TNWhiskeyTrail, and discover the warm spirit of the season along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail. For more details, visit tnwhiskeytrail.com.
Looking for ways to incorporate Tennessee Whiskey into your holiday festivities?
Here are two of our favorite recipes provided courtesy of Leipers Fork Distillery & The Tennessee Whiskey Trail:
Leipers Fork Distillery (LFD) Maple Old FashionedCourtesy
- 1.5oz LFD Bourbon or TN Whiskey
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- .5oz-1oz maple syrup (or to taste)
- Candied orange garnish
Combine in mixing glass, pour over ice ball. Garnish with candied orange.
Holiday Fizz
- 1.5 oz LFD Tennessee Whiskey
- .5oz tablespoon lime juice
- 3oz Spiced Cranberry syrup (see recipe below)
- Club Soda
- Rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries for garnish(optional)
Combine whiskey, lime, and spiced cranberry syrup in mixing glass. Stir and pour over ice. Top off with club soda. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprig and cranberries.
For spiced cranberry syrup: Boil equal parts sugar, water, and cranberry juice or fresh cranberries. For every cup of water, add one cinnamon stick and one rosemary sprig. Sit overnight and then strain.
Participating Trail members and themes include:
- Big Machine Brewery & Distillery (Downtown 3rd Ave. Location), Christmas Vacation
- Big Machine Distillery & Tavern (Berry Hill), Candyland
- Cascade Hollow, Home of George Dickel, Holidays in the Hollow
- Chattanooga Whiskey at Assembly Food Hall, Holidays
- Jack Daniel’s at the Omni Nashville Hotel, Tinsel and Tennessee Whiskey
- George Dickel at Pullman Standard, The Pullman Express
- Leiper’s Fork Distillery, A Spirited Tennessee Christmas
- Nashville Barrel Co., Elf
- Nearest Green Distillery at Humble Barron, Winter Wonderland
- Peg Leg Porker Spirits Tasting Room, Deck the Hogs
- Stable Reserve, Making Spirits Bright
- Standard Proof Whiskey, Home Alone Christmas