How Nelson's Green Brier Distillery Founders Honor their Family & Heritage
When brothers Charlie and Andy Nelson started a distillery, they were reviving a family business. But digging into their family history inspired them to take their business in new directions too. Today carrying forward the family name and the establishment of the Louisa Nelson Awards are core aspects of their brand.
History of Nelson’s Green Brier
In 1860, their great-great-great grandfather, Charles Nelson introduced Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Production was contracted to a distillery which Nelson was able to purchase a decade later, in 1870. It was the move of a savvy businessmen who realized that demand for whiskey was far outpacing supply in Nashville, where he had settled for a fresh start. Charlie and Andy Nelson explain that Charles Nelson bought the distillery so that he could go into the whiskey business full-time. “He acquired the H. H. Kirk patent for improved distillation which dramatically expanded his production capacity.”
By 1885, Nelson’s Green Brier was selling 380,000 gallons of whiskey per year (approximately 2 million bottles). Charlie and Andy Nelson claim that their great-great-great grandfather was one of the first to sell whiskey in bottles rather than selling it by the jug or the barrel. This improved his distribution reach. When Charles Nelson died in 1891, his wife Louisa took the helm of the business. At the time, this made her one of few women to run a commercial distillery.
Paying Homage to their Forebearers
When launching their own distillery more than a century later, the Nelson brothers knew right away that they wanted to find ways to honor the heritage of Charles and Louisa Nelson. “The 21st century edition of Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey is based on Charles Nelson’s original 1860 recipe and process.” They explain that the bottle bears a label nearly identical to the one designed for Charles Nelson, later trademarked by Louisa Nelson.
Louisa is a particular inspiration to both Andy and Charlie Nelson and they share that, “In addition to being a powerful business owner, Louisa Nelson displayed enlightened leadership that benefited the entire community.” They came up with a unique way to elevate her impressive story, with the Louisa Nelson awards, adding, “We created the awards to bring her story and spirit to the present day.”
Honoring Nashville Women
The annual awards and gala recognize contemporary Nashville women for their achievements in business. This year was the fifth year in which the awards have been held, and since its inception, the initiative has elicited an amazing response from the community. “We are continuously amazed with the women who are nominated and the work that they are doing within Nashville,” the Nelson brothers say. They explain that the scope has evolved beyond recognition of local businesswomen, to also include scientists, philanthropists, activists, organizers, educators, and artists, who are selected by an advisory panel comprised of former honorees, community leaders, and distillery colleagues. This year, honors went to Dr. Paquita Pullen, the founder of a mental health cooperative; Angela Buckner, founder of a local woman-owned mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering firm; and cocktail entrepreneur Rhonda Common, who is is the current Treasurer of the United States Bartender Guild (USBG) Nashville chapter, and the chapter’s first African American female board member.
By honoring women doing such powerful work, Andy and Charlie Nelson are also commemorating the influence of their distillery’s matriarch. And when it comes to their whiskeys, they also focus on elevating both the past and the present. As well as reviving the classic Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, they wanted to forge their own path and build their own story as distillers. They released Nelson Brothers Classic Bourbon a high-rye straight bourbon whiskey, and Nelson Brothers Reserve Bourbon. At 107.8 proof, the Reserve Bourbon is rich and warm, with notes of cherry and rich fruit cake on the nose, and winter spices with a hint of vanilla on the palate, and a long finish.
Both Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and Nelson’s Brothers Reserve Bourbon were awarded gold medals at New York International Spirits Competition in 2022. For the Nelson brothers, it was extra special to see both spirits proving to be a hit with modern whiskey drinkers. “To be recognized as one of the best in the industry always feels amazing.” With their products and initiatives alike, the brothers are finding ways to both commemorate history and look to the future.