Skip to main content

In 2020, You’ll Be Knock, Knock, Knockin’ at Heaven’s Door Distillery

heavens door bob dylan
Heaven's Door

Knocking on heaven’s door will soon look a lot like banging down the entrance of an old church asking for a glass of whiskey. That’s because the American whiskey brand, Heaven’s Door, created in collaboration with Bob Dylan, is opening a new distillery in fall 2020 at the renovated 160-year-old Elm Street Church in Nashville. As if you needed another excuse to visit Music City.

Not only will this distillery include all the bells and whiskeys of a bourbon, double barrel, and rye distillery (Heaven’s Doors’ three expressions), the place of whiskey worship will also include a “library” and restaurant.

Recommended Videos

While you won’t be able to sleep in a giant booze barrel or marvel at a million-dollar architectural distilling palace, Heaven’s Door has something totally unique: an extended Center for the Arts with a 360-seat live performance venue and “art sanctuary.” I mean, Bob freakin’ Dylan + whiskey + Nashville? There’s no way there wouldn’t be a stage.

Heaven's Door

Paintings from Zimmy will be on display in the arts center, along with crazy metalwork sculptures. Yes, the 77-year-old folk icon is also a welding badass. For proof of his artistic capabilities, just take a look at the artwork on the labels.

Heaven’s Door Distillery will settle in the SoBro neighborhood of Nashville and “serves as the perfect home to Heaven’s Door distillery, as each of the three core whiskey expressions have a direct tie to Tennessee, either through distillation, aging, barrel finishing, or bottling,” says a rep for the brand.

heavens door bottles
Heaven's Door

News of the distillery came as Dylan (and whiskey-drinking fans of country rock music) celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Nashville Skyline album released in 1969.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the anniversary of Nashville Skyline with our own addition to Music City’s skyline,” said Marc Bushala, CEO of Heaven’s Door Spirits. “We spent years looking for a property that truly captures the essence of the Heaven’s Door brand, and when we finally found the deconsecrated church in SoBro, we immediately knew that it would be the perfect physical and spiritual center for the brand and Bob’s art.”

Just as you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, you don’t need an article to tell you how delicious Tennessee whiskey is. Mark your calendar, Mr. Tambourine Man.

Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Classic cocktails for appreciating your high-end rums
Simplicity is key for showcasing fine spirits
classic rum cocktails diplomatico manhattan 1

Sometimes, simple is better. While there's absolutely a place for elaborate, complex drinks that use tons of ingredients for complex and deep flavors, when you are looking for drinks to show off your finest spirits, you should stick to classic, paired-down recipes that allow the flavors of a fine spirit to shine. After all, the classics have remained popular for a reason.

In that vein, rum brand Diplomático has a trio of classic cocktail recipes adapted to show off the flavors of its offerings. These recipes feature Diplomático Mantuano, a blend of Venezuelan rums that's perfect for elevated rum cocktails. So if you're after a delicious drink to make use of a fine rum, then these recipes should be first on your list.
Rum Manhattan

Read more
The charcuterie board trend gets a makeover: What’s different about it in 2025
How to elevate your charcuterie board in 2025
charcuterie board

Charcuterie boards have been around for decades but became a major food trend in 2023 and 2024. I enjoy making a charcuterie board (or attending a party to find someone else has made one). It's like an art; no two charcuterie boards are the same. Plus, who doesn't love cheese, meat, and fun toppings?

In 2025, charcuterie boards are still around, yet in a refreshed, upgraded form. Lauren Eni Canseco, CMO and Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy for Dietz & Watson (D&W), said 2025's charcuterie boards are all about "cleaner ingredients, smarter choices, and total customization." Lauren shares what's driving the demand for cleaner ingredients and why charcuterie board trends are changing in 2025.

Read more
Brugal Rum is launching an ultra-premium rum for $3,000
Brugal Rum is releasing its most expensive expression to date
Brugal

Rum drinkers know about the appeal of Dominican Republic-made Brugal Rum. This timeless brand has been crafting award-winning rums for the last 135 years. You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Brugal Rum Anejo, Brugal 1888, or Brugal Extra Viejo. All are complex, sippable, mixable, and surprisingly inexpensive.

But the beloved brand doesn’t stop simply with notable flagship expressions. It also drops limited-release rums from time to time. Recently, the iconic brand announced the launch of its most premium expression to date called Andrés Brugal Edition 02.
Andrés Brugal Edition 02

Read more