Nashville whiskey, taught with real stories. In East Nashville at Love & Exile’s Tank Room, this workshop blends hands-on cocktail making with behind-the-bar history—plus three full-size cocktails you mix and drink yourself. I love that it’s practical (you leave knowing what to change and why), and I love the way Chris Mallon ties flavor decisions to Tennessee whiskey culture. One drawback: food and extra drinks cost extra, so plan your budget if you want to stay for dinner.

If you’re trying to kick off a Nashville night with something that feels local and not overly formal, this is a fun fit. It runs about 90 minutes, stays focused in a private space, and keeps the group small enough that you’re not lost in the crowd.

Tank Room at Love & Exile: the setting that keeps it fun

This experience starts at Love and Exile Bar, 715 Main St A, Nashville, TN 37206. The venue is known for a lively bar scene, but the workshop happens in the Tank Room, a private space tucked away inside the larger East Nashville hangout.

That matters more than you might think. A class can feel stiff when it’s stuck in a public bar area. Here, you get enough separation to focus while still feeling like you’re in the middle of the city’s cocktail culture. You’ll also have a natural path to continue your night, since the larger venue (including the bar and patio vibes) is right there after the session ends.

The start time is listed as 3:30 pm, so this works well as an early Nashville anchor before dinner. It also means you’re likely to have energy for questions and second sips, since you’re not rushing in late at night.

With a max group size of 24, the room stays interactive. That small limit helps the host tailor attention and keep the pace moving.

What you do for 90 minutes: three Tennessee Whiskey cocktails

The whole point is that you mix drinks, not just watch someone else pour. Over roughly 1 hour 30 minutes, you’ll make three original Tennessee Whiskey cocktails using professional bar tools.

You’ll also create three different Old Fashioned variations. In other words, the class is built around a style you can actually repeat at home, then it teaches you how to customize it so it doesn’t taste like the same generic version you’ve had everywhere.

A typical workshop flow looks like this:

• You get the baseline for the drink style, including how to think about balance.
• You follow along while mixing, then adjust as you go.
• You taste your own work and learn what changes flavor the most.

Because your cocktails are full-sized and included, you’re not left with a small sip and a handshake. You leave with both the recipes and the sensory memory of what good should taste like.

This is also why the price feels more justified than some classes. At $90 per person, you’re paying for time with a real bartender/host, hands-on tools, the ingredients, and three full drinks built into the session. If you only wanted one cocktail lesson and a tiny tasting, you’d probably feel underwhelmed. Here, you’re drinking what you made.

Chris Mallon’s approach: technique plus bartender storytelling

The workshop is led by Chris Mallon, along with other Nashville hospitality professionals and whiskey experts. What stands out in how people describe the experience is that Chris doesn’t read from a script. He teaches, but he also explains the why behind the work—through stories, drink history, and practical bar logic.

One reason that approach works so well: it turns technique into confidence. When someone gives you a method and then explains the flavor reasoning (instead of just saying do step one, step two), you actually remember what to adjust next time you’re at home.

Chris’s background as a chef comes up in the way he talks about taste. You’re not just learning whiskey trivia—you’re learning how the small components of a cocktail affect how it lands on your tongue. That chef mindset shows up when he frames elements like bitters and citrus oils as active ingredients, not decoration.

You’ll also get plenty of room for questions. Some reviews specifically call out how the host answered questions and adapted ideas based on what the group wanted to learn. That makes the workshop feel more like a good Nashville conversation than a classroom.

The Old Fashioned workshop: ratios and the flavor levers that matter

The class centers on the Old Fashioned because it’s a simple-looking drink that’s easy to get wrong. The good news is that the differences aren’t mysterious. They’re measurable, repeatable, and you can taste them fast.

You’ll learn the structure of an Old Fashioned and how small ratio changes can shift the final flavor. One of the most helpful concepts you get from the experience is this: when your ratios are just a bit off, you end up compensating without realizing it—then you blame the whiskey, the glass, or your taste buds.

You’ll also get tips that go beyond the usual recipe talk. People mention that Chris uses a chef’s approach to explain how these pieces change the drink:

• Bitters (what they bring and why)
• Citrus oils (how aroma changes the experience)
• Sugar (not just sweetness, but balance)
• Salt (used in small ways to affect perception)

You’ll likely hear the lesson in plain terms: start with the baseline, then adjust one thing at a time. That’s how you learn your personal preference instead of just copying someone else’s.

And because you’ll be making multiple Old Fashioned versions, you’ll practice the habit that serious cocktail lovers use: tweaking until it tastes exactly right to you.

Tennessee whiskey context without the lecture

Even if you’re not deeply into whiskey, the workshop is set up to help you understand what makes Tennessee whiskey worth caring about. The stories you hear aren’t designed to put you to sleep. They’re tied to why certain choices show up in the glass.

Chris’s teaching style blends history with flavor decision-making. You’ll hear about the drink’s background and get a clearer sense of what makes the Tennessee whiskey experience different in the first place. The overall goal is not to test you on dates—it’s to give you context so you know what you’re tasting and what you’re trying to produce.

If you like bourbon, you’ll probably find the comparisons helpful, because the techniques cross over. If you’re new to whiskey, you’ll likely appreciate that the class doesn’t assume you already know the vocabulary. Instead, it focuses on what you can taste and what you can change.

Drink it, then linger: pairing options at Love & Exile

One nice perk is that the workshop doesn’t feel like a hard stop after the last pour. The experience ends back at the meeting point, but Love & Exile makes it easy to extend the night.

Food is available during the experience, and it’s described as pairing well with your cocktail skills. The bar also has options if you want to continue the hang: you can grab a seat on the patio or stay in the larger main bar area afterward. Even if you’re just pacing yourself, it’s a comfortable way to turn one activity into part of a whole Nashville evening.

Do note this: food and extra drinks aren’t included in the workshop price. If you’re the type who likes a full dinner rather than snacks, budget for that. On the bright side, the workshop gives you a reason to pay attention to flavor pairing—so even a casual meal will feel more intentional.

Price and value: what $90 buys you in real terms

At $90, this isn’t the cheapest thing on a Nashville itinerary. But it can feel fair because you get three full-sized cocktails you make yourself, with ingredients and tools included.

Here’s how I’d think about value:

• You’re paying for instruction + hands-on prep, not just a tasting.
• You’re drinking more than one sample, which helps you actually learn by tasting differences.
• The host’s storytelling and technique matter because you leave with a repeatable method, especially for Old Fashioned variations.

If you hate paying for classes, this might still feel pricey. But if you enjoy cocktails, want a guided way to improve, and like the idea of bringing home a few impressive drinks, it’s one of those “pay once, practice for months” experiences.

Also, the group size cap helps keep the experience personal. You’re not packed into a room where you only hear every third word.

Who should book this (and who might want a different plan)

This workshop is a strong match for:

• Whiskey lovers who want craft explanations, not just a sip-and-go.
• Couples planning a date night that’s interactive and not overly formal.
• Friends who like doing something together and then comparing their favorite Old Fashioned version.
• Solo travelers who want easy conversation—small groups help a lot.

It’s also friendly to people who don’t normally drink whiskey. The format still centers on skill and taste, and the session is built to help you customize what you like.

Where it might not fit:

• If you want a long, food-heavy evening, you’ll likely feel the gap because food isn’t included.
• If you want a passive sightseeing activity, this is hands-on and you’ll be mixing throughout.

If you’re already planning to spend time at Love & Exile anyway, it pairs nicely. If you’re doing a packed day, starting at 3:30 pm can be a smart way to break up your schedule.

Should you book the Tennessee Whiskey Workshop?

Yes, if you want a Nashville experience that mixes practical cocktail skills with real hospitality energy. You’ll make three drinks yourself, learn how Old Fashioned flavor changes with small adjustments, and leave with enough technique to improve at home instead of just remembering a recipe.

Book it sooner rather than later if you can—this one is commonly booked about 25 days in advance, and the group size stays capped at 24. If you’re traveling soon and want something that feels authentically local without being complicated, this workshop is one of the better bets.

If you’re on the fence because of price, think of it like paying for three cocktails plus a method you can reuse. That’s the whole equation here.

FAQ

Where does the workshop start?

It starts at Love and Exile Bar, 715 Main St A, Nashville, TN 37206.

How long is the experience, and what time does it start?

The workshop is about 1 hour 30 minutes and the listed start time is 3:30 pm.

What’s included in the price?

You get the 90-minute Tennessee Whiskey Workshop, and you mix three full-sized cocktails (Old Fashioned variations) with all bar tools, glassware, and ingredients provided. The workshop is led by Chris Mallon and other Nashville hospitality professionals and whiskey experts.

Is food included?

Food and extra drinks are not included, though food is available during the experience at Love & Exile.

How many people are in the group?

The experience has a maximum size of 24 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t accepted, and cancellations within 24 hours aren’t refunded.

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