The parent company of local whiskey maker Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery has laid off the bulk of its production staff, including its general manager.
According to a source with information about the matter who asked to go unnamed, approximately 15 of the company's 19 production employees were dismissed on April 11.
The production staff laid off included, as noted, GM James Hensley, five individuals who specialized in bottling the spirits and five distillers, according to the source. The others dismissed included blenders and warehouse employees.
The source tells Scene sister publication the Nashville Post it is unclear as to the reason for the layoffs, which are permanent and not seasonal. Whiskeyadvocate.com reported in January that U.S. whiskey sales declined in 2023 — a first in the past approximately 20 years — and continued to dip in 2024.
Belle Meade Bourbon maker is owned by major beverage conglomerate
After the layoffs, the Marathon Village-based business is home to about 45 employees (both full- and part-time), the source says. The layoffs come about three years after employees at the business voted against forming a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1995. A yes vote would have made Nelson’s Green Brier one of the only distilleries in the state with union representation.
Brothers Andy Nelson and Charlie Nelson launched the company in 2012, tracing their roots to a 19th-century Nashville distillery run by an ancestor. In 2019, Victor, N.Y.-based beverage conglomerate Constellation Brands, which also owns Corona and Svedka, took majority ownership in the company. The Nelsons left the company in 2024, and Constellation assumed control of the Nelson’s Green Brier brand Belle Meade Bourbon in the process.
Via Constellation Brands, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery still makes Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and Nelson Brothers Bourbon.
Constellation Brands tells the Post the layoffs were made, in part, "in response to shifting consumer and industry dynamics." The company issued the following statement:
"Business decisions such as these are always made with careful thought and consideration. We will work with impacted employees to offer support in transitioning to other opportunities either within or outside our company. We remain committed to our local operations and service to the Nashville community."
The Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery restaurant, bar, events, tours and tastings continue to be open for business. Constellation Brands said it plans to announce an expansion of operating hours "in the next few weeks."
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
