NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A yearly Lynchburg tradition has expanded to Nashville to bring holiday cheer downtown.
On Tuesday, Jack Daniels unveiled a whiskey barrel tree outside of Bridgestone Arena at Demonbreun Street and Fifth Avenue. It's one of five around the country, each made from American white oak whiskey barrels that were once used to mature the famous Tennessee Whiskey.
The Lynchburg tradition began in 2011 with Jack Daniel's first 26-foot tall tree made from 140 barrels. Now, replicas will be placed in Chicago, Dallas and Milwaukee as well.
The distillery will auction off the top barrel of each tree as part of its "Operation Ride Home" program. Jack Daniel's partners with the Armed Services YMCA to assist junior-enlisted service members and families travel back home for the holidays.
"At Jack Daniel’s, we like to say that good cheer is our number one export to the world," said Master Distiller Jeff Arnett. "The barrel tree in Lynchburg has a special way of bringing people together, just like Operation Ride Home, and we hope friends either living in or visiting these locations will stop by and join us as we celebrate this most special holiday season. After all, it’s not what’s under the tree that’s important, but who’s around it."
So far, the program has helped 7,232 junior-enlisted service members make the trip home for the holidays.
