Corsair Distillery & Headquarters

Temperance in Tennessee took its toll on Nashville’s spirits industry. The consumption, sale, and distribution of alcohol was illegal in Tennessee from 1909 to 1933. Almost a century later, Corsair Distillery became Nashville’s first distillery of its kind since the Prohibition Era. Even though distilling is now legal, Corsair has chosen to make its whiskey in a bootlegger-style potstill, condensing still, fermentation vessel, and mash cooker. Just because they distill in an old-fashioned way does not mean that this company is old-fashioned. Thanks to co-founder Andrew Webber’s experimental methods, Corsair has received international praise for their novel and adventurous spirits. With over fifty-one international awards, eight-hundred medals, and thirty varieties of spirits, Corsair has produced liquors ranging from gin to absinthe to vodka.

Corsair’s true claim to fame is its world-renowned Triple Smoke, described as a whiskey with “…the sweetness and barrel notes of an American whiskey and a single malt’s rich smoke, broadened by tones of cherry and beech.” Triple Smoke has put Corsair on the international distillery map—winning fifteen awards since 2010. Corsair’s fame has actually strengthened the company’s relationship with its hometown. Their mantra of “Nashville in a bottle” is apparent throughout their distilling process. Corsair prides itself on using resources from local farms, using its own local malthouse, and even using its own smokehouse to produce its most famous whiskey. A majority of the honey, barley, and rye are from Middle Tennessee. Co-owners Darek and Amy Lee Bell even grow and smoke their own grains at the Bell family farm, Bell’s Bend, just outside of Nashville. 

Originating in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Corsair joined the Nashville spirit scene in 2010. With their first Nashville location in Marathon Village, Corsair opened its headquarters in Wedgewood-Houston in 2016. Their tasting room offers tastings of the entire Corsair spirit line but the local favorite is a cocktail: a pineapple daiquiri. 

From the entrance of Corsair, turn LEFT to walk down Martin Street. You will quickly approach pH Craft and then Diskin Cider on your left. They are both within a block of Corsair.