Welcome to the end of the line

Brushy Mountain was the last place you wanted to find yourself – right in the middle of Tennessee’s first maximum-security prison holding the state’s most violent murderers, robbers, and rapists for more than a century. With some sentences for 200 years or more, most of the men who walked through its gates would never be walking out again.

Tours are self-guided, and former prison guards and former inmates will be nearby to answer any questions or share their stories. You’ll be provided with a map of the prison grounds as well. There are more than 30 stations, each containing the story of what happened in that particular spot. Some detail violent acts. Others describe the times when family members came to visit. Others still offer a glimpse inside the troubled minds of the hardened criminals who served time at Brushy.  

As you move from one station to another, you'll be able to imagine what life would have been like behind these walls. The men they held had committed unforgivable crimes. Somehow, somewhere, their lives took a wrong turn, but they still had souls...

The distillery is free to visit and separate from the prison tour. There's also a tasting bar located in the gift shop.  

*You must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid state ID to sample.

We look forward to seeing you when you come visit Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. It will likely be an experience you carry with you the rest of your life.