Local government jurisdictions (counties and municipalities) in Tennessee by default are dry and do not allow the sales of liquor or wine. These governments must amend the laws to allow for liquor-by-the-drink sales and retail package stores. In many cases, the county may be dry, but a municipality is wet. The sale of beer is not affected by a dry or wet designation. This list may not reflect recent changes.
Dry counties
In a dry county, the sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages is prohibited or restricted – 1 of Tennessee's 95 counties is completely dry and another is almost entirely dry with very specific exceptions.
Moore County Despite being home to Jack Daniel's Distillery, Moore County itself was once completely dry. However, the county now allows the sale of commemorative bottles of Jack Daniel's in the White Rabbit Bottle Shop, and one can take part in a sampling tour at the distillery. It is also now possible to sample wine, rum, vodka and whiskey in shops where it is distilled on premises. Beer is also available in local food establishments when served with a meal.
Moist counties
In a moist county, the sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages in certain jurisdictions is permitted. This designation applies to 83 out of Tennessee's 95 counties.
Decatur County Retail package stores (2022 referendum).[4] Liquor-by-the-drink in restaurants with a dining capacity of 75 or greater within three miles of the Tennessee River
Henderson County Retail package stores ONLY (no liquor-by-the-drink), and only within the city limits of Lexington, new referendum passed September 8, 2011
Hickman County Retail package stores ONLY and only within the city limits of Centerville. This is due to state law not allowing liquor stores in unincorporated areas. Centerville is the only incorporated city in the county.
The designation of a wet county applies to jurisdictions where the sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages is permitted – 10 out of Tennessee's 95 counties are wet. The state's four largest cities, Memphis (Shelby), Nashville (Davidson), Knoxville (Knox), and Chattanooga (Hamilton), are located in wet counties.
By 1810, registered distilleries numbered 14,191 and were producing 25.5 million gallons of whiskey.[12] In 2009, the Tennessee General Assembly amended the statute that had for many years limited the distillation of drinkable spirits to just three counties (Lincoln, Moore, and Coffee). The revised law allows distilleries to be established in 41 additional counties (counties in which liquor-by-the-drink was legal). This change was expected to lead to the establishment of small distilleries, thus increasing the number of producers of Tennessee whiskey.[13] As of March 2013, there are five brands with at least one Tennessee whiskey on the market, and several with whiskey in the barrel awaiting release.[14]
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