Davidson Reserve Distillery
History of Davidson Reserve
Davidson Reserve Distillery, under Pennington Distilling Co., was established in 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. It stands out as the first bottled in bond distillery in the state to receive this designation since the 19th century.
The distillery prides itself on performing every function of the production process on-site, except for growing the grain, which is sourced locally from Renfroe Farms in Huntington.
The founders of Davidson Reserve were driven by a passion to create a whiskey that truly reflects Tennessee’s heritage and history. This commitment is evident in their choice to source grains locally and control every aspect of the distillation process.
This approach allows the whiskey to embody the unique flavors of Tennessee, varying with each harvest and the changing conditions of distillation.
Awards Won by Davidson Reserve
Davidson Reserve, produced by Pennington Distilling Company, has received significant recognition in various spirit competitions over the past few years. Here’s a summary of some of their key achievements:
2021 American Distilling Institute and American Craft Spirits Association Competitions: Davidson Reserve earned a remarkable 17 medals. Notably, the Davidson Reserve® Four Grain Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey won Best of Class, Best of Category, and Gold in the Whiskey Division.
They also received a Silver medal for their Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and a Bronze for their Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: This prestigious competition brought Davidson Reserve two Double Gold medals and two Gold medals. The awards were for their Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey (both the regular and Single Barrel versions) and their Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey.
2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Other Competitions: Davidson Reserve whiskies won twelve national exclusive tasting awards, including two Double Gold, two Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Moreover, they were awarded two “Gold” medals at the Beverage Tasting Institute/Tastings.com Spirits Competition and three medals, including a notable “Silver” and a “Double Gold,” at the 2020 SIP Awards International Spirits Competition.
Forbes Recognition: Davidson Reserve Tennessee Whiskey was recognized by Forbes, winning the Best in Class award for bourbon, further solidifying its reputation as a top craft whiskey.
Davidson Reserve Tour Information and Experience
Davidson Reserve Distillery, located in West Nashville, offers an engaging and educational tour experience for whiskey enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
Distillery Tours & Experiences
- Guided Tours: The distillery conducts guided tours where visitors can witness the entire bourbon-making process. Unlike many other distillery tours, Davidson Reserve allows guests to see the full production process, not just the aging barrels.
- Tasting Experience: The tour concludes at the tasting bar, where visitors can sample various spirits from the distillery’s impressive portfolio.
- Shop Visit: Guests also have the opportunity to visit the bottle and gift shop during regular hours.
- Tour Schedule: Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, with tours at the top of each hour from 11 AM to 4 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, and tours can be booked online.
Blend Your Own Bottle Experience
For a more personalized experience, the distillery offers the “Davidson Reserve Blend Your Own Bottle Experience.” This unique activity allows guests to:
- Sample Selections: Choose from a variety of Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, or rye from selected barrels.
- Tasting and Recording: Taste each sample and use a flavor wheel to identify notable tastes and build a flavor profile.
- Blending: Blend different combinations to create a personalized final blend with unique aroma, body, and finish.
- Personalized Bottling: Design a custom blend and receive a personalized bottle at the end of the event.
This blending experience is limited to 35 guests and is offered on the second Thursday of each month or through private booking. The cost of $200 per person includes the blending experience, a self-guided distillery tour, catered dinner, cocktails, and a personalized engraved Davidson Reserve bottle. Additional bottles of the blend can be purchased for $75 each.
Location & Contact
- Address: Pennington Distilling Co., 900 44th Ave N., Nashville, TN 37209.
- Contact: Visitors can contact the distillery for more information or to book a tour.
Flask & Barrel Review of Davidson Reserve
As a seasoned whiskey collector who’s seen his fair share of distilleries, I’ve got to say, Davidson Reserve stands out. It’s a solid 4.7 out of 5 in my book.
What really grabs you is its rich, complex flavor profile. The Four Grain Tennessee Straight Bourbon is a standout, with a perfect blend of corn, wheat, barley, and rye. It’s like they captured the essence of Tennessee in a bottle.
The taste? Smooth, with a subtle sweetness and just the right kick of spice. It’s the kind of whiskey that invites you for a second glass.
And let’s not forget the Single Barrel – it’s a true example of craftsmanship in whiskey making.
Overall, Davidson Reserve is a must-try for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted whiskey. It’s a testament to the art of distilling and a proud representative of Tennessee’s whiskey heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurants are near Davidson Reserve?
- Wendell Smith’s Restaurant: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16153837114. Their address is 407 53rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209.
- Field House Tavern: It has a rating of 4.3 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16156636975. Their address is 905 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209.
- Nations Bar and Grill: It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16156687582. Their address is 705 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209.
What hotels are near Davidson Reserve?
- Best Western Plus Belle Meade Inn & Suites: It has a rating of 4.3 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16153541711. Their address is 5600 Obrien Ave, Nashville, TN 37209.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Vanderbilt-Elliston Place: It has a rating of 4.0 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16153206060. Their address is 2330 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203.
- Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Green Hills: It has a rating of 4.2 stars on Google Maps.
For reservations, you can reach out to them on their phone at +16152987700. Their address is 3800 Bedford Ave, Nashville, TN 37215.