Standard Proof Whiskey Co. sits in Nashville’s The Nations neighborhood on Rep. John Lewis Way, occupying a converted warehouse that feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a typical distillery. Founded in 2019 by brothers-in-law Josh Dolginow and Sean Josephs, both music industry veterans who got tired of the business side of Nashville and wanted to create something tangible with their hands. They partnered with master distiller Andrea Clodfelter, who brought serious credibility from her time at Corsair Distillery and Jack Daniel’s. The operation focuses on bourbon and rye whiskey, with a 500-gallon copper pot still from Vendome that they run hard to keep up with demand from their tasting room and local bars. What started as weekend passion project between Josh and Sean turned into a full-time gig when they realized they’d rather be making whiskey than booking studio time. Andrea joined the team in early 2020, right before the world went sideways, and helped them dial in their recipes while navigating the chaos of opening during a pandemic. The space itself is raw and industrial—exposed brick, concrete floors, and the constant smell of mash and oak aging. They’re not trying to be fancy, just focused on making solid whiskey that reflects Nashville’s scrappy, DIY spirit without the tourist trap nonsense that’s taken over downtown.
