Belle Meade Bourbon is produced by Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, a family-owned distillery located in Nashville, Tennessee. The distillery was founded by Charles Nelson in the late 1800s and became one of the largest producers of sour mash whiskey in the United States. However, due to the onset of Prohibition in 1920, the distillery was forced to shut down, and the family's whiskey-making legacy was lost for nearly a century.
In 2006, Charles Nelson's great-great-great-grandsons, Andy and Charlie Nelson, decided to revive their family's distilling tradition and resurrect the Nelson's Green Brier Distillery. They embarked on a journey to recreate their ancestor's original whiskey recipes and bring back the flavors of the past.
To produce Belle Meade Bourbon, Nelson's Green Brier Distillery sources its whiskey from MGP Distillery, located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. MGP has a long history of producing high-quality bourbon and rye whiskey, making it an ideal partner for Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in their quest to create authentic and exceptional bourbons.
The decision to source their whiskey from MGP was a strategic one for the Nelson brothers. While they were mastering their own distilling techniques and aging their own whiskey, they wanted to offer consumers a taste of the Belle Meade line of bourbons as they continued to develop their own aged spirits. Sourcing from MGP allowed them to introduce their brand to the market and build a loyal following while also paying homage to their family's legacy.
It's important to note that sourcing whiskey from other distilleries is a common practice in the bourbon industry. Many well-known brands, even those with their own distilleries, source whiskey from other reputable distilleries to ensure consistency in flavor and meet consumer demand.
By partnering with MGP, Nelson's Green Brier Distillery has been able to offer a range of Belle Meade Bourbons that showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail that they strive for. They carefully select and blend barrels to create unique flavor profiles, and each batch of Belle Meade Bourbon undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure its excellence.
The partnership between Nelson's Green Brier Distillery and MGP has allowed the Belle Meade line of bourbons to gain recognition and acclaim in the bourbon community. It has also given the Nelson brothers the opportunity to focus on perfecting their own distilling techniques and aging their own whiskey, with the goal of eventually producing all of their bourbon in-house.
In my personal experience, I have had the pleasure of tasting several expressions of Belle Meade Bourbon, and I have been consistently impressed by the quality and complexity of the whiskey. Each bottle tells a story, not only of the bourbon itself but also of the rich history and heritage behind it. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a classic cocktail, Belle Meade Bourbon offers a delightful and satisfying drinking experience.
While Belle Meade Bourbon is sourced from MGP Distillery, it is crafted and bottled by Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, a family-owned business with a deep respect for tradition and a commitment to producing exceptional bourbons. The partnership between these two distilleries has allowed the Belle Meade line to flourish, and I am excited to see what the future holds for this unique and captivating brand.