The Harpeth Hotel, located in Franklin, Tennessee, has made a mark with its lobby bar, affectionately called "Franklin’s Living Room." Styled with plush couches and armchairs around a cozy fireplace, it’s an inviting space perfect for sipping cocktails. The hotel, with 119 rooms, has developed an impressive whiskey program that truly reflects Tennessee’s rich distilling tradition.

At the heart of the hotel is the Whiskey Keep, an elaborate bar filled with over 250 whiskeys and bourbons. This is more than just an ordinary collection; it’s a curated selection meant to celebrate Tennessee’s distilling heritage and offer a guiding experience for whiskey newcomers and aficionados alike. Thomas Tuggle, the hotel’s director of food and beverage, emphasized the importance of thoughtful selection: “We think there are some special whiskeys out there, and we put a lot of thought into who we invite into the Keep.”

The whiskey selection includes renowned brands like WhistlePig alongside high-quality local producers, such as the nearby Leiper’s Fork Distillery, which collaborated on an exclusive Harpeth blend. This particular blend was selected through an enjoyable blind-tasting process, ensuring that guests could enjoy a unique and well-crafted product, available by the glass, in cocktails, or stored in private lockers for dedicated whiskey lovers.

The Whiskey Keep is known for occasionally featuring rare allocated bottles such as Pappy Van Winkle and Weller William Larue, which are distributed based on loyalty and timing. Regular visitors can join the Cask Club, an annual membership that offers perks like a personal locker and access to exclusive curated experiences centered on spirits, food, and live music in Nashville. Members are also the first to know about new bottle arrivals, creating a connection reminiscent of a local bar.

Every evening at the hotel, complimentary whiskey tastings are held in its library, and on Wednesdays, guests can partake in "Whiskey Wednesday," where a rotating selection pairs with the hotel’s signature burger. Additionally, a new $10 pour program invites guests to sample some of the Keep’s most sought-after bottles, making high-end whiskey accessible to all.

As Tuggle puts it, "We’re steeped in whiskey,” highlighting that it’s an integral part of their offerings and a celebration of Tennessee culture.