Last week, I was nominated to become a Tennessee Squire. Becoming a Tennessee Squire is an honor bestowed by the Jack Daniel’s Distillery to its most loyal friends. It’s not something you can simply apply for; it requires a nomination. I was nominated by Kevin “Barrelman” Sanders, a friend for the last dozen years or so. We were connected thru musical acts I was working that had a relationship with Jack Daniels. First, Eric Church and then Zac Brown Band.  We celebrated the day with a lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s (separate story here), a back lot tour of the distillery and a nice sit at the Squire House where I was able to meet a few new friends form JD.

Here’s what I can tell you about the process. Here’s How to Become a Tennessee Squire:

• Be a Loyal Friend of Jack Daniel’s: This is the primary criterion. You need to be a genuine and devoted fan of the brand and its heritage.
• Get Nominated: This is the crucial step. You must be nominated by an existing Tennessee Squire or a Jack Daniel’s employee.
• Each current Squire is typically allowed to nominate only one person in their lifetime, making it a significant gesture.
• Jack Daniel’s emphasizes that nominators should select individuals of strong character and responsibility.
• Meet the Criteria: Nominees must:
  • Be of legal drinking age in their country of residence.
  • Not have any professional ties to the beverage alcohol industry.
  • Be considered a generous and responsible person of good character.

Barrelman submitted the paperwork and now I wait. Here’s what Happens After Nomination and Acceptance:

If you are nominated and accepted into the Tennessee Squire Association, you will typically receive:

•  An official letter of acceptance.
• A membership card.
• An unrecorded deed to a small, one-inch plot of land on the Jack Daniel’s Distillery grounds in Lynchburg, Tennessee. This plot number often becomes your Squire member ID.
• Access to the “secret” Squires Room at the distillery (though access policies might vary).
• Personalized communications, exclusive access to events (like the Jack Daniel’s World Championship BBQ), and other unique benefits.

Important Considerations:

•  It’s Exclusive: The Tennessee Squire Association is designed to be an exclusive club for dedicated fans.
• No Self-Nomination: You cannot nominate yourself.
• Focus on Relationships: The program aims to foster genuine relationships between Jack Daniel’s and its most loyal supporters.

Becoming a Tennessee Squire is about being a true enthusiast of Jack Daniel’s and having a current Squire or distillery employee recognize and nominate you for this special honor.

I’ve gotta tell you it was a special day. I’ve always wanted to become a Squire.  It was exciting to be immersed in a full afternoon in Lynchburg.

Now, I’m still waiting to be accepted but was assured it’s just waiting a few weeks for the process to finalize.  I’m looking forward to the special events they host and furthering my whiskey knowledge.  Plus, I’ll own my teeny tiny piece of Jack.  How cool is that!