In 2017 KWA, travelling in in US Tennessee, visited George A. Dickel distillery.
The distillery is placed in Cascade Hollow near Normandy City in Bedford County in the rolling woodlands of southern middle Tennessee in the heart of horse, antique, space, and whiskey country, very beautiful indeed.
The distillery opened in 1878 named Cascade Hollow Distillery. George A. Dickel was an established Nashville merchant who was known for selling a very smooth and mellow spirit. Dickel bought a large share in the distillery. After the Prohibition, in 1958, the distillery reopened under the name Geo. A. Dickel Tennessee Whisky.
George A. Dickel “They have always done things in their own way” for example their whisky is chilled before undergoing the charcoal-mellow filtration. Charcoal-mellow filtration is standard for Tennessee Whisk(e)y. Dickel came up with this chilling process after having discovered whisky made in wintertime was smoother than the one produced during the summer months. Dickel´s is the only distillery doing this extra step. Dickel is also following the Scottish tradition, spelling whisky without an “e”.
When KWA visited Dickel´s we went on a guided tour led by the terrific, home-loving guide Mick. Mick took us on a tour around the distillery which ended with a tasting. On the tasting, Mick had set up a good selection from Dickel’s range.