When Whiskey Waters Roll Through the Bristol Distillery

Some days, the fish bite. Some days, the rain doesn't quit. And some days, three legendary anglers show up at your door soaking wet, half-frozen, and ready for a pour of something strong.

That's exactly what happened when Jon B., Justin Floyd, and Grant Langmore rolled into Tennessee Hills during their East Tennessee fishing expedition on a trip they aptly named "The Whiskey Waters Tour." After a grueling day battling cold rain and rising water across the region's rivers and lakes, the crew made their way to our Bristol headquarters for a proper welcome.

Who's Jon B.?

If you've spent any time in the fishing corner of YouTube, you already know the name. Jon Barzacchini (better known as Jon B.) has built one of the most respected fishing channels on the platform, amassing millions of subscribers who tune in for his authentic, adventure-driven content. He's not producing highlight reels. He's documenting real fishing in real conditions, complete with the misses, the chaos, and the wins that make the sport worth pursuing. His collaborators Justin Floyd and Grant Langmore bring their own expertise and personalities to the mix, making for content that feels less like a production and more like tagging along with friends who happen to be damn good at what they do.

"A Willy Wonka Factory of Booze"

When the crew walked through our doors, founder Stephen Callahan gave them the full tour of what he likes to call "the Willy Wonka factory of booze" (the largest brewery and distillery under one roof in North America). Stephen walked them through the mash, let them taste the yeast just waking up ("like sweet oatmeal," Grant noted), and broke down what makes Tennessee whiskey different from bourbon: you can make bourbon anywhere, but Tennessee whiskey? That only happens here.

The walls of Tennessee Hills tell a story too. Old photos, history, generations of craft. Stephen shared that he got into the business around eleven years old, learning from his father and uncles–men who made whiskey the same way local churches make apple butter. Just something they did. That heritage isn't marketing copy. It's the foundation everything here is built on.

140 Proof and Good Company

The tour ended where all good tours should: at the blending tanks. Stephen poured them a taste of raw Tennessee spirit straight from the source—around 140 proof, clear as water, and smooth enough to make you forget how cold and wet you were an hour ago.

"Cheers to catching fish and drinking whiskey," the crew toasted, and you know what? We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Watching the final cut of "Whiskey Waters," you can see the genuine warmth that comes through when people connect over shared appreciation. Appreciation for craft, for the outdoors, for doing things the right way even when conditions make it hard.

We're honored to have been part of this trip, and even more honored that Jon B. and crew chose Tennessee Hills as their landing spot after a long day on the water. Pour yourself something neat, settle in, and watch the full episode here. It's real fishing, real conditions, and one very real distillery tour.

Tennessee Hills Distillery is located in Bristol, TN and is home to the largest brewstillery in North America along with eleven generations of Callahan family distilling heritage. Stop by and let us show you around.