Nashville’s Big Machine Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings

Nashville’s Big Machine Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: An Authentic Spirit Experience

If you’re heading to Nashville and craving a taste of the city’s thriving craft spirit scene, the Big Machine Distillery tour offers a welcoming window into the art of Southern spirits. For just $25 per person, you’ll spend roughly 45 minutes exploring the production process, enjoying guided tastings, and soaking in the lively downtown atmosphere. Led by personable guides, this experience combines education with a bit of fun, making it a solid choice for anyone interested in spirits—whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just curious about how your favorite liquors come to life.

What we love about this tour is how accessible and intimate it feels: limited to just five people, it offers a chance to truly engage with the process and ask questions. The VIP lounge, overlooking the distillery in action, creates a relaxed environment to savor your tastings. Plus, the tastings themselves—a flight of Big Machine Spirits plus a cocktail—offer great value, especially considering the friendly, knowledgeable guides who make the technical details engaging.

One possible drawback is that the distillery is relatively small, which might lead some to expect a sprawling production facility. However, this size contributes to the cozy, boutique vibe many visitors enjoy. Also, since the tour operates twice a week, planning ahead is a good idea to secure your spot, especially since bookings tend to be made about 11 days in advance.

This tour is especially suited for foodies, spirits lovers, and curious travelers who want a behind-the-scenes look at Nashville’s craft distilling scene and enjoy personalized attention. If you’re seeking an authentic, relaxed experience that offers both education and tasting, this tour fits the bill perfectly.

Key Points

• Intimate Group Size: Small tours (max 5 people) allow for personalized attention and interaction.
• Educational & Tasting Focus: Guides explain how spirits like vodka, whiskey, gin, and moonshine are made, with a special focus on the vodka’s unique filtration process.
• Value for Money: $25 includes a spirits flight, a cocktail, and a guided look at the distillery, making it a cost-effective experience.
• Authentic Atmosphere: The VIP lounge overlooks the production area, offering views and a relaxed setting for your tastings.
• Location & Accessibility: Perfectly situated in downtown Nashville, close to public transportation, making it easy to include in your day.
• Highly Rated Guides: Multiple reviews praise guides for their knowledge, friendliness, and engaging manner.

A Detailed Look at the Big Machine Distillery Tour

The Welcome & First Impressions

From the moment you arrive at 122 3rd Ave S in downtown Nashville, you’ll find a sleek, modern tasting room where the tour begins. The space itself is inviting, with a lively vibe that hints at Nashville’s musical charm—often complemented by live music in the bar area, making it a pleasant place to start your experience. We loved the friendly atmosphere, which sets the tone for a fun and educational visit.

The Production Area: Where Spirits Are Made

Following the initial welcome, you’re led into the distillery’s production space, a relatively compact but well-organized area where spirits are crafted by hand. Here, your guide will explain the distillation process, highlighting how Big Machine creates its spirits from corn. The highlight is learning about the special filtration technique used to produce their vodka, which sets it apart. We appreciated the clarity of explanations, especially since many visitors—like those who reviewed—found it fascinating to see a small-scale, artisanal operation in action.

The VIP Lounge & Guided Tasting

After the behind-the-scenes look, you’ll ascend to the VIP lounge, which offers an elevated view of the distillery. This space is perfect for savoring your guided tasting, where you’ll sample a flight of spirits—including vodka, whiskey, gin, and moonshine. The flight is designed to showcase the diversity of Big Machine’s offerings, and guides often include interesting facts about each spirit’s flavor profile.

Many reviews highlight the quality and variety of the tastings. One guest noted, “all the spirits were delicious,” and several mentioned that the samples were just enough to get a good sense of each product without feeling overwhelmed. The inclusion of a cocktail is a nice touch, adding a sense of place and giving you the chance to try one of Nashville’s craft creations.

Shopping & Final Stop

The tour concludes in the gift shop, where you can purchase spirits or souvenirs. Several visitors enjoyed browsing, saying it was a great way to take a piece of Nashville home. Prices are typical for handcrafted spirits, and buying locally-made products is often more satisfying than generic souvenir options.

What the Reviews Say

With over 290 reviews averaging a 5.0-star rating, most visitors praise the knowledgeable guides and the value of the experience. Reviewers consistently mention how fun and informative their guides are, with comments like, “Kimber, Kimber, Kimber—she made the experience memorable,” and “Cody was very knowledgeable and personable.” Many appreciate the small group size, which encourages questions and interaction.

Some reviews emphasize the quality of tastings, with guests remarking that the spirits are “tasty and smooth,” and the cocktail was a highlight. Others point out that the atmosphere is lively, thanks to the live music in the bar area, making it more than just a tour—it’s an experience.

A few critical reviews mention the small size of the distillery or express disappointment that it feels more like a static display. However, these comments are in the minority, and the overall feedback remains very positive.

Unique Highlights from Guest Experiences

• “All the spirits were delicious,”
• “Our guide was super knowledgeable and fun,”
• “It’s a nice pit stop to add to an itinerary,”
• “Kimber was amazing and very personable,”
• “It was really nice to see how Tennessee does spirits,”

These comments reinforce that the tour is well-received when the focus is on learning, tasting, and enjoying the friendly environment.

The Practicalities: What to Expect

Duration & Booking

The tour lasts around 45 minutes, making it a manageable addition to your Nashville day. It’s recommended to book about 11 days in advance since spots fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist season. As it’s limited to 20 travelers, you’ll likely have plenty of room for questions and interaction.

Cost & Value

At $25, the tour offers great value—covering the spirits flight, cocktail, and the guided experience. When compared to similar private tastings or small distillery visits, it’s a budget-friendly way to learn about spirits without sacrificing quality or intimacy.

Accessibility & Location

Located in downtown Nashville, the distillery is easily accessible via public transportation or walking from many downtown hotels. The small size of the operation means you’ll get a close-up view of the process, which is often more engaging than larger, more commercial setups.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This experience is ideal for spirits enthusiasts eager to understand the craft behind Nashville’s local distilleries. It’s particularly suited to foodies who appreciate a good story behind their drinks, and travelers wanting a personalized, less touristy activity. The small-group nature guarantees a more relaxed, interactive experience, perfect for those who prefer quality over quantity.

If you enjoy learning about local producers, sampling quality spirits, and chatting with friendly guides, you’ll find this tour a worthwhile stop. It’s also a great choice for couples or small groups looking for a memorable Nashville experience that combines culture, taste, and a bit of behind-the-scenes insight.

FAQ

Is the tour suitable for all ages?
While the focus is on spirits, most groups tend to be adults; minors are not encouraged to participate as the tasting is adult-oriented.

How long does the tour take?
It lasts approximately 45 minutes, making it easy to fit into a sightseeing day.

Can I buy spirits after the tour?
Yes, the distillery’s gift shop offers spirits and merchandise for purchase, so you can take home a piece of Nashville.

Is prior booking necessary?
Yes, it’s recommended to book about 11 days in advance, as tours fill up quickly.

What is the group size?
Tours are limited to a maximum of 20 travelers, with many reviews noting the small size enhances the experience.

What should I wear?
Comfortable casual attire is fine; consider layers if you plan to visit the VIP lounge or production area, which may be cooler.

Final Thoughts

The Big Machine Distillery tour offers a nicely balanced experience—combining educational insights with tasting, all within a friendly, intimate setting. It’s a fantastic way to get a flavor of Nashville’s craft spirit scene, especially if you enjoy learning about how spirits are made and tasting some high-quality local products.

While the distillery isn’t sprawling or overly commercial, that’s part of its charm: it feels authentic, personal, and welcoming. The knowledgeable guides, combined with the view of the production process and the quality of spirits, make it a highlight for many visitors.

For spirits lovers, curious travelers, or anyone wanting a memorable, relaxed activity in Nashville’s downtown, this tour is a smart choice—offering a good mix of fun, education, and tasting for a reasonable price. If you’re in town and eager to see the city’s bourbon or vodka scene up close, don’t miss this small but spirited adventure.