Around the Barrel with Jack Daniel's

Very few people start collecting things on purpose. You start by grabbing one thing that catches your attention and then another. Soon, you have to start thinking about buying dedicated shelving, if not buying a whole new house. On this episode, we talk with Linas Ruksenas, the man behind the social media handle @JackDanielsLibrary, about what kickstarted his Jack Daniel's collecting habit, about how he sources all those wonderful bottles displayed on his Instagram feed, and about how he finally brought his spouse around to the idea of devoting their living room to the artful display of items that emerged from Around the Barrel. 

Working with a spirit of innovation involves a constant process of unlearning and relearning. You want to refine what has worked in the past and trim away what is not needed within your new process. When you lay that new template over the business of whiskey production, you also have to factor in the idea of “hurry up and wait” before you can make more changes and move a new product into its final form. On this episode, we talk once again with Master Distiller Chris Fletcher about the brand-new global travel retail (GTR) product American Single Malt finished in Oloroso sherry casks, about how the word “single” doesn't always correlate with the word “simple,” and about how this new endeavor just might bring about a new set of frequently asked questions, Around the Barrel. 

It's been said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. To develop an understanding of the genius of the spirits space, you've got to factor in distillation, fermentation and maybe a little repetition too. On this episode we talk with San Diego-based whiskey influencer Sarah Jeltema, the woman behind the social media handle @whiskynomad, about how asking the right questions of bartenders and distillers spawned her current pursuits, about how the idea of service through spirits has made an impact on the world of first responders and about how sharing the science can enhance the enjoyment of sitting and sipping Around the Barrel.

As much as tradition is a component of what comes out of the  Jack Daniel Distillery, the motto “Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can,” absolutely encompasses using new tools as they become available. On this episode, we talk with Melvin Keebler and Donna Willis, two key leaders on the Distillery's operations team, about new technology the company is using to continue its sustainability climb, about how opportunities for changing processes can still benefit long-time partners who have been comfortable with the way things currently are and about how the wide world of whiskey needs geeks of all kinds, Around the Barrel.

If there's anything the last three years have taught us, it's to never overlook the chance to spend a little time away from home. On this episode, we talk with travel and spirits writer Brad Japhe about the state of American whiskey across a variety of ponds, about how patience is paramount whether it's waiting for whiskey, barbecue or basketball, and about how both consistency and innovation are important pieces when it comes to what emerges from Around the Barrel.

Our enjoyment of so many things in this life tends to come about as a result of happy accidents. Then again, the creation of so many things, like whiskey, came about the same way. They can also emerge from putting aside one pursuit only to pick up another. On this episode, we talk with Matt Porter of the popular YouTube channel, ADHD Whiskey, about how putting down the fishing pole led him to picking up a tasting glass, about how chasing flavor isn't always the key to enjoying a new whiskey and about how he's still not entirely certain Lynchburg, Tennessee, isn't a theme park dedicated to all good things Around the Barrel.

We can all agree that maturity can really only emerge over time. That's certainly true of both people and whiskey. Most of the time, that maturity process can't happen all by itself. It needs to be nurtured, monitored, guided and celebrated. On this episode, we talk with Byron Copeland, the Manager of Leadership Acceleration and Maturation Innovation at the Jack Daniel Distillery, about how his experience at both well-established companies and startups meshes well with the world of whiskey, how working your way into a new work family involves quite a bit of listening, and about how paving the way for future leaders to enter the spirits business can be just as important as what goes in and Around the Barrel. 

Regardless of the industry you're in, there are many factors behind how much you enjoy the gig. When you're working with your biggest fan, though, it goes a long way into making every day a joy. On this episode, we talk with Lexie Phillips and Josh Phillips, the Jack Daniel Distillery's current “power couple,” about the new set of limited-edition Distillery Series products that bear their names, about how family got them both to the Distillery and remains a big part of their day-to-day work there, and about how their good-natured rye-valry has kept them both laughing about the long-term project that emerged from Around the Barrel.

For a whiskey as legendary as Jack Daniel's, it's only fitting that its first salesman was a man of mythic proportions. But Angelo Lucchesi was exceptional, not for his salesmanship, but for his grace and kindness. On this episode, Jack Daniel's Historian Nelson Eddy returns to the podcast to share Angelo's incredible story, from one-time monk to Sinatra's right-hand man, to building a legacy of decency and respect, Around the Barrel. 

When a company has decades of history and millions of friends, it needs caretakers dedicated to keeping the story straight. Or at least interesting. Thankfully, Jack Daniel's has had two of the best. On this episode, host Lucas Hendrickson talks with Goose Baxter and Randall Fanning, the two people who have been in charge of keeping the home fires burning for Mr. Jack's most ardent admirers – the Tennessee Squires, about how frying catfish can lead to a very long career, how what you leave out from a set of instructions can be more important than what you put in, and about how you could possibly encapsulate a lifetime of memories living and working Around the Barrel.

When you do something well and for an extended period of time, two competing thoughts can come into your head: First, if it ain't broke, don't break it. And second, let's see how we can break it…creatively. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Chris Fletcher about his eventful year, about the three expressions that are relatively new to store shelves but took a long time (on purpose) to get there, and about getting back out in the world after spending the last couple of years at home.

For everything we know with rock-solid certainty about Mr. Jack Daniel and the distillery that bears his name, a thousand more myths have popped up over the years. It's to be expected when the famous square bottle and iconic black and white label, not to mention the whiskey inside, have touched the farthest reaches of the globe. On this episode, we talk with Nelson Eddy, the distillery's longtime writer and historian, about the questions he gets posed as the keeper of the distillery's legend, about the true significance of the Old No. 7, and about how what was true in Mr. Jack's day largely remains true today when it comes to what's made in and around the barrel.

Many of us can find the task of keeping our living spaces nice and tidy for even the occasional houseguest daunting. When your job requires being prepared to welcome guests that number well into the hundreds of thousands, it takes a completely different mindset. On this episode we talk with Erik Brown, the new Homeplace Manager for the Jack Daniel Distillery, about trying to bring normalcy into a pursuit that's far from normal, about using history to inform the future of the visitor experience in Lynchburg, and about how one makes the seemingly incongruous transition from working around the racetrack to working around the barrel.

For far too many in this “new is always better” world, the word “innovation” tends to mean “blow everything up and start from scratch.” When you're stewards of a brand with more than 150 years of experience and expectation, that definition simply will not stand. But that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't make those adjustments that open up a world of new opportunities. On this episode, we talk with current Jack Daniel Distillery team leaders Chris Fletcher and Lexie Phillips about how looking through the lens of innovation not only clarifies the past, but also reveals the future; how one year on Coy Hill can make a big difference in completely unforeseen ways; and how taking things up a notch yields spectacular results.

Tradition has always been important in Lynchburg, but after a year in which many of our most beloved traditions came to a halt, they are more meaningful than ever. Fortunately, this past October saw the return of one our most anticipated — the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with two people with both deep history and great affection for the Jack – Tuffy Stone and Brad Leighninger — about how this year's competition was different, how winning the Jack can change a pitmaster's life in unexpected ways, and how you can learn something new every time you set up and cook in the Hollow.

If you want to get better at something, sometimes all you have to do is pay attention. This is especially true when it comes to understanding the complex world of distilled spirits. If you pay attention to every drop of liquid that passes under your nose, over your palate, and into your being, you'll begin to compile the knowledge and expertise that can only come through experience. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Kenny Coleman, co-host of the Bourbon-focused podcast “Bourbon Pursuit,” about the path he and his cohorts took to gain that knowledge, how listening to their audience encouraged them to share even more of it, and the centuries-long rivalry that can inform interactions between Kentucky and Tennessee gets erased when you're sitting and sipping Around the Barrel.

All families have stories. They get passed down so that each generation can better understand who they are and from where they came. For one Lynchburg family, their stories are the stories of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey. As the world recognizes Nathan “Nearest” Green as Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey's first Master Distiller, his descendants are able to bring their family's stories to light. On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson sits down with Debbie Staples, Jerome Vance, and Jackie Hardin, three of Nearest Green's descendants who currently work at the Distillery, to discuss their family's hidden history and the world's reaction to it, and the inspiring legacy of Nearest Green.

It has always taken a fair amount of time to craft a product like Jack Daniel's Old No. 7. It also takes a lot of experience, talent, and of course, patience, to find opportunities to develop a new form of excellence within those toasted white oak barrels. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Chris Fletcher about Jack Daniel's 10-year-old Aged Tennessee Whiskey, the new yet old-school offering from the Distillery, as well as how teamwork helped make this expression a reality and how honoring the legacy of Mr. Jack sometimes requires one to just hurry up and wait.

Sometimes it takes venturing out in the world to appreciate things closer to home. But that experience can be invaluable when your role at home involves making others from across the globe feel at home, in your home. On this episode, we talk with Jack Daniel Distillery Senior Ambassador Tour Guide Jed Lirette about his world travels, how the world is slowly opening back up after the struggles of the past year, and how it takes every kind of taste bud to ensure the quality of what comes out of Lynchburg, and Around the Barrel. 

Lexie Phillips didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, role model, or pioneer. But when she was named Jack Daniel’s Assistant Distiller in the fall of 2020, she ended up as just that. On this episode, Lexie returns to Around the Barrel to talk about her path from part time job to leadership position, and how following her passion resulted in a giant leap forward for the women of Jack Daniel’s and the spirits industry at large.

Spirits have always been a great way to bring people together. Over fifteen years ago, Mark Gillespie discovered that simply talking about them was just as effective. Gillespie launched WhiskyCast, one of the original spirits podcasts, in 2005 and has since developed a national and international following of industry professionals and whiskey enthusiasts alike. On this episode of Around the Barrel, Gillespie takes a turn as our distinguished guest to discuss the evolution of both podcasting and his whiskey expertise, and shares some of his favorite stories about the spirit.

The story of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey has been told for years, but for the first time, it will be told through film. Chasing Whiskey: The Untold Story of Jack Daniel’s, directed by Greg Olliver, is available to stream beginning April 9. On this episode of Around the Barrel, Greg shares his experience chasing Jack Daniel’s around the globe.

Most people like to say, “What’s old is new again.” At Jack Daniel’s, it might be more fitting to say, “What’s new is old again.” On our first episode of Season Four of Around the Barrel, we’re joined by the newest Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Chris Fletcher, grandson of Master Distiller Frank Bobo and a longtime employee in his own right. He joins host Lucas Hendrickson to shed some light on the challenging year that was, and shares his excitement for things to come as he blends his penchant for innovation into time-honored tradition.

The popular saying “a rising tide lifts all boats” is perfectly suited for the distilled spirits industry — when one of us does well, either as an individual or as a company, we do what we can to help others. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Melvin Keebler, Vice President and Assistant General Manager at the Jack Daniel Distillery, about the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative, the latest way Jack Daniel’s is helping those with less opportunity. Through collaboration with Uncle Nearest Inc., the initiative offers education, training and support for minorities looking to succeed in the distilled spirits industry. Melvin takes us behind-the-scenes of this impactful program and discusses Jack Daniel’s diversity and inclusion efforts while shining a light on the path of progress ahead.

The importance of the barrel in whiskey making cannot be overstated. It is so important, in fact, that at Jack Daniel’s, we don’t trust anyone else to make it. On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson visits the Jack Daniel Cooperage alongside plant manager Darrell Davis to learn about the painstaking process that goes into building this magic vessel that creates the color, flavor and character of our world-famous whiskey.

The connection between music and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey has always been strong. The link between the brand and American country music has been particularly vibrant over the years, as the spirit has informed, not only the creation of songs, but also the celebration of them. On this episode, we talk with country music media mainstay Storme Warren about the current state of the genre, how both the music and the whiskey play to a worldwide audience and how a commitment to both innovation and tradition informs what comes out over the airwaves and round the Barrel.

Enjoying whiskey engages all your senses, but taste is undoubtedly the most difficult to define. Sight, smell and memory all feed into our taste. On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson joins veteran whiskey journalist Fred Minnick to learn more about the time and practice needed to develop a whiskey vocabulary to articulate this concept of taste, how a person’s palate can be as unique as a fingerprint and how his years as a whiskey expert have spawned a slew of magazine, book and video creations that explore whiskey from different angles.

Will Haynes and Matt Giesler had been friends and coworkers for years when their mutual admiration for spirits led them to take the conversation they were having and add some microphones, create some context, and create The Podcask. On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson speaks with these fellow podcast hosts to break down how they turn curiosity about consumption into conversations, how developing a whiskey vocabulary is key, and how the seemingly simple act of turning on microphones activated a global collection of fans.

Yeast is the unsung hero of the whiskey-making process. It so important, in fact, that at Jack Daniel’s, we have our own microbiologist committed to looking after our yeast and ensuring that all the conditions are right to make our world-famous Tennessee Whiskey. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we sit down with microbiologist Kevin Smith to get the inside scoop on the science of whiskey making, how we can manipulate yeast in ways Jack could have only dreamed about, and what’s behind the Tennessee Tasters expression Smith helped create.

Frank Sinatra was perhaps known as much for his music as he was for his love of Jack Daniel’s. He famously described the Tennessee whiskey as the “nectar of the gods” and was a loyal friend of the brand throughout his life. On this episode, we talk with writer and producer Charlie Pignone and Jack Daniel’s brand historian Nelson Eddy about the deep relationship between Frank Sinatra and Jack Daniel’s. We uncover the real story about Sinatra’s introduction to the drink, how Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select came to be, and more.

One of the great things about a legacy that goes back more than 150 years is that there always seems to be one more story to tell. In 2016, one of those stories captivated the world. It was the story of Jack Daniel and Nearest Green, an enslaved man who taught Jack how to make whiskey. Jack and Nearest had a lifelong friendship that spawned Jack’s famous Tennessee Whiskey and connected two local families for more than a century. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we meet Fawn Weaver, an author who was so captivated by Nearest’s story that she has devoted her life’s work to researching, honoring and celebrating Jack’s beloved friend.

With a supply chain as complex as Jack Daniel’s, the opportunities for things to go wrong are plenty. Add in the fact that you must anticipate some of those challenges years before they happen, and you’re left wondering how any whiskey makes it to the shelf, particularly one as popular as Jack Daniel’s. In this episode, Larry Combs, Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Jack Daniel’s Global Supply Chain, joins host Lucas Hendrickson to talk about how he and his team work to anticipate and adapt to curveballs like the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the whiskey flowing and our many team members employed.

Passion and energy for your life’s work is hard to manufacture. You either have it or you don’t. And when your job puts you in front of millions of people who share a similar passion, you better be ready to turn that energy dial all the way up. On this episode we talk to Marty Smith from ESPN about the importance of mentorship, how his work life has changed while live sports take an unforeseen pause, and how he looks forward to gathering buddies in a small Middle Tennessee town as soon as possible.

On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson and Jack Daniel’s brand ambassador Eric Tecosky talk about how at-home whiskey cocktails can be approachable by everyone and the secrets for using Tennessee Apple in classic recipes.

As the world struggles to learn more about COVID-19 and how to effectively combat it, companies much more attuned to creating a certain kind of product find themselves needing and able to pivot towards joining the global fight. On this episode, we talk with Master Distiller Jeff Arnett about what the distillery is doing to accelerate its ability to join that fight, not only at home, but throughout the region it calls home.

Observing, writing and speaking about the spirits world is a very serious business, at least some of the time. On this episode, we talk with Dan Dunn, an author, comedy writer, podcaster, pundit and professional imbiber for the past two decades. He tells us what it’s like to have part of your life turned into a situation comedy, how circling back just causes more traffic jams, and how to order a perfect cocktail in the South (hint: on a first name basis).

Words, images, physical objects – these things help tell stories every day. And for a company well into its second century, these stories form the core of how best to shape its future, but it never hurts to take a look into its past. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Jack Daniel’s historian Nelson Eddy about a new series of products that reach back into the company’s archives, bringing forward a look and feel from a bygone era. We dissect the imagery found on the new legacy edition bottles as well as how today’s technology can be used on every bottle of Old No. 7 to bring Mr. Jack’s story to life.

At Jack Daniel’s, we have a deep appreciation for those who serve in our nation’s military and strive to provide support whenever we can. When we learned that many active duty junior-enlisted service members could not afford to travel home for the holidays, we wanted to do all that we could to help. In 2011, we launched Operation Ride Home in conjunction with the Armed Services YMCA to provide the funds so that many of these men and women could be with their loved ones during this special time of year. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we uncover why this program is so important, and hear from Admiral William French, President and CEO of the ASYMCA, about the impact it has on those who sacrifice so much.

The word “icon” probably gets thrown around a little too easily these days. It takes time, effort, skill and talent to move something into the active role of icon. It doesn’t happen accidentally or overnight. Mark McCallum knows a little something about working with a true icon. As part of the leadership team at Brown-Forman, Jack Daniel’s parent company, Mark has played a pivotal role in establishing the global footprint of Jack Daniel’s. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we talk with Mark about building that footprint, the new brands that have emerged under the Jack umbrella under his watch, and the challenges of getting some audiences to believe the lore of Lynchburg.

From its labor-intensive creation to its bold, fiery flavor, whiskey has a reputation for being masculine, a man’s drink. However, more women than ever are joining the world of whiskey – not just as consumers, but also as makers. On this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson sits down with Lexie Amacher and Jessica Hartline, two Jack Daniel’s employees with can-do attitudes and an endless thirst to learn — qualities that have taken them to new heights at the distillery.

“Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can.” Mr. Jack’s motto isn’t just about whiskey-making, it’s about doing everything the best way possible, including protecting the environment and being a good steward of our community. On this episode of Around the Barrel, Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and our host Lucas Hendrickson dive into the many sustainability efforts Jack Daniel’s has taken not only in the past few years, but the past century.

Cocktails are best enjoyed in the company of good friends. Too often, the idea of playing host can feel overwhelming and we lose sight of that simple truth. On this episode of Around the Barrel, lifestyle and entertaining expert Maureen Petrosky sits down with host Lucas Hendrickson to share her tips and tricks to hosting a fun and relaxing gathering, and reveals the secrets to a perfectly stocked home bar for any occasion.

On a recent trip to Tennessee, longtime spirits writer and fellow podcaster Noah Rothbaum made his first visit to the Jack Daniel Distillery, and it was everything he had hoped it would be. Join us in a conversation with Noah about his inaugural Lynchburg experience, his path into the world of whiskey, and where he sees that world heading.

Creating something new is a magical process. It can also be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. In this episode of Around the Barrel, host Lucas Hendrickson talks to singer-songwriter Jerrod Niemann about the art and mystery of songwriting, how parental approval isn’t always the best thing when it comes to growing as an artist, and how an important realization about our service members and their families inspired his latest patriotic single, “Old Glory.”

Whiskey making, when done right, is all about the process of capturing time in a barrel, then a bottle. But that doesn’t mean there’s not room to play around with that process from time to time. In this episode of Around the Barrel, Assistant Master Distiller Chris Fletcher sheds some light on how Jack Daniel’s continues to innovate at 153 years, the ongoing work of the brand’s Master Taster panel, and the line of whiskeys resulting from that work – the Tennessee Tasters series.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Squire Association dates back to February 1956 when it was formed as a short-term solution to an unexpected whiskey shortage at the distillery. Join us in a conversation with Goose on the origins of the program, his role, and some of his favorite stories.

The Jack™ is an annual BBQ competition that draws in teams and judges from around the country and around the globe. Considered by some to be “The Olympics of BBQ,” The Jack brings about more than 25,000 visitors to Lynchburg over the competition’s three days. On this episode of Around the Barrel, we take a behind-the-scenes look and talk to those who made the journey down to The Jack.

On the last episode of the season, Debbie Baxter joins us to talk Miss Mary Bobo’s, an international destination for a family-style southern meal shared with family, friends and strangers.

NBA legends Robert Horry and Muggsy Bogues made a trip to Lynchburg for the NBA Legends Camp and stopped in for a conversation on this episode of Around the Barrel.

Around the Barrel caught up with actor and Gentleman Jack brand ambassador Omari Hardwick in Chicago to talk Real to Reel and the experiences that has shaped his career.

On this episode, ad man Ted Simmons discusses how a trip to the distillery in 1965 inspired the legendary campaign known as “Postcards from Lynchburg” and built the foundation for his creative teams to develop more than 1,000 ads for Jack Daniel’s ever since.