Whiskey lessons in a Nashville Tank Room? This 90-minute Tennessee whiskey workshop at Love & Exile is built around hands-on cocktail making with Chris Mallon, plus stories about the Old Fashioned and Tennessee whiskey culture. I love that you make three full-size drinks yourself, and I love the practical focus on how flavor tweaks like bitters, citrus oils, sugars, and salt actually change what you taste. One thing to consider: it’s very whiskey-centered, so if whiskey is a hard no for you, you’ll want to ask about options ahead of time.

You meet at Love & Exile Bar (715 Main St A) and start at 3:30 pm. With a small maximum group size (24), the room stays friendly and interactive, which is exactly what you want when your glass is on the line.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Three full-size cocktails included that you mix yourself
• Create three different Old Fashioneds with adjustable technique
• Professional bar tools, glassware, and ingredients provided
• Tank Room at Love & Exile gives the class a private, focused feel
• Bartender secrets plus Tennessee whiskey stories from Chris Mallon and local pros

Love & Exile’s Tank Room at 715 Main St A: why the setting matters

The location choice is smart. You’re in East Nashville at Love & Exile, but the class takes place in their Tank Room, a private workshop space tucked inside a larger, popular venue. That makes a difference for two reasons: it keeps the teaching focused, and it still gives you a real Nashville nightlife vibe without feeling like you’re stuck in a sterile classroom.

The meeting point is Love and Exile Bar at 715 Main St A, Nashville, TN 37206. The session is about 1 hour 30 minutes and the listed start time is 3:30 pm. You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the tour runs in English.

Group size also matters here. With a maximum of 24 travelers, you’re not lost in a crowd. This is the kind of class where you learn faster because you can ask questions and adjust your technique while you’re actively mixing.

If you’re thinking about logistics, this is a spot near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Transportation to and from the venue is not included, so you’ll likely use rideshare, transit, or walk depending on where you’re staying.

Your 90 minutes: mixing three Tennessee whiskey cocktails step by step

This workshop is hands-on from the first pour. You’re not just watching someone else build drinks while you take notes. You’ll make three original Tennessee whiskey cocktails using professional bar tools, and you’ll take home the confidence to recreate the method later.

A key detail: the class centers on three different Old Fashioned cocktails. That may sound narrow at first, but it’s actually a smart way to learn. The Old Fashioned is a template. Once you understand how the balance works, you can make multiple versions without completely reinventing everything.

You should expect a rhythm like this:

• You get a quick explanation of what’s in the drink and why.
• You mix, taste, and adjust as you go.
• You repeat the process across three variations so your palate gets trained during the session, not after.

Because ingredients and tools are provided, you can focus on technique instead of hunting down bottles and special glassware. It also lowers the barrier if you’re a beginner. You’re still learning the “why,” but you’re not punished for not owning a bar setup.

The “full-size cocktails included” part is a big deal for value too. At $90 per person, you’re paying for instruction and ingredients, not just a small taste. You’ll leave with three drinks you helped make, not just one.

Chris Mallon’s bartender secrets and the Tennessee whiskey stories

Chris Mallon leads the workshop, and the class also involves other Nashville hospitality professionals and whiskey experts. The teaching style is practical and conversational, not stiff or lecture-heavy.

Here’s what stands out in how the stories are used. They’re not trivia for trivia’s sake. The history and Tennessee whiskey culture get folded into how drinks are built. That’s why you learn technique with context instead of memorizing a recipe like it’s a math problem.

One useful example of what you’ll hear about: how fine-tuning ingredients changes the final flavor. You’ll talk through how bitters, citrus oils, sugars, and even salt can shift balance. That matters because the Old Fashioned is a “small ingredients, big effect” drink. If one element is off, the whole thing tastes off.

Chris also brings cross-skill thinking from food. In plain terms, it means he explains flavor the way a good chef would: with attention to how tiny changes create a noticeable outcome. It’s why some people walk in bourbon lovers and others walk in curious non-experts, and the class still clicks.

There’s also room for questions and personalization. One person requested a brandy preference instead of whiskey, and the host was accommodating. That tells you the workshop isn’t locked into one rigid approach. If you have a specific preference, it’s worth raising it during the session and seeing what’s possible.

The Old Fashioned master class: small changes that show up fast

The Old Fashioned can feel simple: spirit, sugar, bitters, citrus, ice. But “simple” is the trick. It’s easy to end up with a drink that tastes harsh, flat, or overly sweet because your ratios and balance aren’t quite right.

This class focuses on how those adjustments matter. You’ll learn ways to tweak the drink so you can get closer to what you actually like, not just what a standard recipe says you should like.

From what you’ll practice and discuss, the biggest “payoff” learning points are:

• Why ratios matter (and why past attempts at home can fail even when you follow a recipe)
• How bitters contribute more than bitterness
• How citrus oils can add aroma and depth, not just flavor
• How sugar changes the drink’s structure, not only its sweetness
• How a little salt can sharpen perception and help the balance feel more complete

This is where the class becomes more than entertainment. You’re training your senses. After you taste a drink with one adjustment, the next drink becomes easier to compare. That helps you build a mental checklist for your next at-home attempt.

One practical takeaway: you’ll understand the drink’s structure well enough to modify it later, even if you don’t recreate the exact “third version” you make in class. That’s important. Most people don’t want to make the same cocktail forever. They want a method they can adapt.

What you get for $90: value math that actually makes sense

At $90 per person, this isn’t the cheapest activity in Nashville. So I look at it like this: you’re paying for three things at once—time, training, and ingredients.

What’s included:

• A 90-minute Tennessee whiskey workshop experience in Nashville
• Three full-sized cocktails included that you mix yourself
• Bar tools, glassware, and ingredients provided
• The workshop is led by Chris Mallon and other whiskey/hospitality pros

What’s not included:

• Food and extra drinks (you can buy them during the experience at Love & Exile)
• Transportation
• Gratuities

So the value question becomes: would you otherwise pay for three cocktails plus a structured class experience? If the answer is yes, this becomes a good deal. If you only want one drink and you’d rather wander the bars, it might feel pricey.

The most convincing value angle is that you’re not just drinking. You’re learning cocktail fundamentals in a way that transfers to your home bar. When someone learns how to adjust bitters, citrus oils, sugar, and salt for balance, that skill can justify the cost faster than a one-off tasting.

My advice: go into it hungry for technique. If you treat the workshop as a casual sip-and-smile, you might wish it were cheaper. If you want to leave with a real skill you’ll use again, the price starts looking fair.

Food pairing at Love & Exile: how to extend the experience without overbuying

The class has a focused private feel, but the venue around it gives you options after you finish mixing. Love & Exile’s kitchen serves food designed to pair with your cocktails. Food is not included in the workshop price, but it’s available during the experience.

The patio is a good place to slow down after class. You can grab a seat outside and keep talking through what you liked in each Old Fashioned version. If you’d rather stay in the buzz, there’s also a main bar area where you can linger with the rest of the venue.

If you want a lighter spend, consider using the food pairing as a guide rather than ordering everything. Since the workshop trains your palate, you’ll be better equipped to choose what sounds right, instead of letting menu photos decide for you.

Who this Nashville whiskey class suits best

This is built for a bunch of different trip styles:

• Solo travelers looking for an easy social activity
• Couples planning a date night with something hands-on
• Small groups of friends who want a shared story and skill
• People who like whiskey culture but aren’t sure where to start

It also seems to work well for beginners. The whole point of teaching three Old Fashioned variations is that it teaches the structure without requiring you to already know the language of bars.

Even if you don’t drink whiskey regularly, you can still have a good time. The workshop is interactive, and the focus on balance and adjustments helps you understand what makes a drink good. If whiskey isn’t your style, ask about options like spirit preference during the class, and be open to tasting decisions you might not expect.

If you want pure tasting with zero instruction, you might find this more work than you planned. But if you want to leave feeling capable—able to make an Old Fashioned that tastes right—this is the right kind of activity.

Quick practical tips so your workshop goes smoothly

• Show up a bit early so you can settle in and start with a clear head.
• Don’t aim for perfect memorization. Aim for understanding the balance.
• Take notes only on what you tasted. Recipes are easier to remember than flavor math.
• If you have a preference (or you’re not a whiskey drinker), mention it early in the session so the host can guide you to the closest match possible.
• Plan your dinner afterward. The venue’s food is meant to pair, and your palate will be tuned after your three drinks.

Should you book Premium Tennessee Whiskey Workshop?

Book it if you want a Nashville activity that’s both fun and genuinely useful. The best part is the combination of three full-size cocktails you make yourself plus technique that carries home. With Chris Mallon leading and the class focused on the Old Fashioned structure, you’ll leave with skills, not just a souvenir story.

Skip or rethink it if you dislike whiskey flavors and you’re not comfortable tasting and adjusting spirits-based drinks. At $90, you’ll also want to be sure you’re the type who enjoys learning while you drink, not just doing a short pub stop.

If you fall in the middle—curious about Tennessee whiskey, want a solid date night, or like the idea of mastering one classic and making it your own—this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Premium Tennessee Whiskey Workshop?

The workshop runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the workshop start?

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

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 3:30 pm.

What does it cost?

The price is $90.00 per person.

What is included in the ticket price?

You get the 90-minute workshop, plus three full-sized Tennessee whiskey cocktails that you mix yourself, with all bar tools, glassware, and ingredients provided.

Are drinks beyond the three included?

Food and extra drinks are not included, but they’re available for purchase during the experience at Love & Exile.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 24 travelers.

Who leads the workshop?

The workshop is led by Chris Mallon, along with other Nashville hospitality professionals and whiskey experts.

Is the workshop offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.