Drinking on the Tour

I went to the Jack Daniels Distillery to make sure their facilities were clean and well-organized. It was a very interesting trip. They talk about processes which make their whiskey better than others: (1) the use of spring water filtered through the natural limestone, and containing no iron; (2) the charcoal they make and filter their whiskey through; and(3) the barrels they make themselves, to ensure the quality. They have a master distiller, who tastes every barrel. He must have some pretty discerning taste buds, since he decides what barrel goes where, when the whiskey is ready, when the charcoal needs to be changed, etc. Sounds like a pretty good job, huh? You'd wonder how he could make it home after work, but, of course, he can't swallow the product - must spit it out. But still, how much tasting can you do in one day? He must have some minors in the background, being trained and picking up the slack.

The tour guide billowed the top of a huge vat, and 25 tourists wobbled down the corridor. We had to grab the railing to get down the stairs. And we didn't even put the product in our mouths.
 

I also tried to go through the Saturn plant, which is close to Nashville. When I got there I was told the tours were not being held, since there is no current production (not for 3 years). I guess the Saturn was discontinued. They are being retooled to start production in fall, 2012, on, I think, the Chevrolet Equinox, which has not been able to meet demand.

Skittles and I are pretty much driving home now. I doubt we'll stay for a more than a day until we roll into Sturbridge.