1. Tennessee Whiskey Is Not Bourbon
Anywhere else in the country, if someone orders a shot of whiskey, they’ll be happy with Jack, Maker’s, or Jamo. Not In Tennessee.
Every Tennessee knows there are special things about their whiskey, like George Dickel and Jack Daniel’s, that make it the best in the world. It’s made with similar requirements to bourbon, meaning it’s a fermented mash of at least 51 percent corn stored in charred oak containers.
However, in order to slap the “Tennessee whiskey” name on a bottle, it also has to undergo the “Lincoln County Process,” during which the whiskey is filtered through a bed of sugar maple charcoal before barreling. And of course, it has to be made in Tennessee.
2. Tennessee Is Basically Three States
To most outsiders, Tennessee is that state somewhere in the South, but to Tennesseans, there are three clear parts that might as well each be their own state.
There’s Western Tennessee with the rolling hills, Memphis, and barbeque.
There’s the flat Central Tennessee, home to the country music capital of the world and the Commodores.
And last, but not least, Eastern Tennessee, with plenty of mountains and Volunteer orange to go around.
The people from each area are different and the geography of each area is unique, but that’s no surprise with how long it takes to get from one end of the state to the other.
3. To Tennesseans Moonpies Beat S’mores Every Time
Now MoonPies, that’s a different story. With basically the same ingredients as the campfire s’more: chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker, these Tennessee treats deliver a similar taste straight from the package.
Made in Chattanooga since 1917, they were originally invented as a quick treat for coal miners and have since taken the nation by storm. Because, duh, they’re awesome.
4. Fruit That You Pick Yourself Automatically Tastes Better
Most Americans prefer to hunt for produce at the grocery store, but the many roadside pick-it-yourself farms and orchards in Tennessee give people in the Volunteer State a much better option.
Not only is the best way to get fresh fruits and veggies, it’s also the best value around.
5. Country Music Is The Soundtrack To Every Tennessean’s Life
Nowhere else in the country understands country music quite like Tennesseans do. With Nashville being the country music capital of the world and Bristol being the genre’s birthplace, the state goes crazy for these southern style tunes. The genre’s popularity in Nashville is often credited with pushing country music onto mainstream stations making it a nationwide phenomenon.
6. No Other Barbecue Compares To Memphis Barbecue
Home to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the largest pork barbecue in the world, Memphis doesn’t mess around when it comes to their slow-cooked meats.
Up against three major competitors: Texas, Kansas City, and the Carolinas, Memphis does a few things to put their meat a step above the rest.
Often offered either wet (covered in sauce) or with a dry rub, their meat is almost always cooked in a pit, tender enough to melt in your mouth. Corky’s, Jim Neely’s, and Charlie Vergos’ are some of the local favorites, each with their own specialty, including Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous’ barbecued shrimp skillet, which takes a full day to prepare the right way.
7. Mountain Men Make The Best Moonshine
With Tennessee being home to the Smoky Mountains, there are a lot of mountain men wandering around in the Eastern Tennessee wilderness. In fact, some people are so out in the middle of nowhere, one way that has been used in the past to reach them is airdropping thousands of leaflets over where they’re suspected to be. (That’s how you put in your order for some of their excellent moonshine.)
Of course, there are even more people in Tennessee that simply prefer to hike, mountain bike, or kayak during their free time on the weekends. It seems like most Tennesseans prefer the great outdoors to air conditioning any day.
8. Don’t Pet The Bears
While people in the Volunteer State tend to flock to their favorite outdoor hangouts, they’re all aware that nature can bite back. With Tennessee being home to close to 10,000 caves, in addition to tons of uninhabited wilderness, it’s a great place to be a bear. It’s estimated that roughly 1,500 bears live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone.
Bear sightings for hikers are pretty common, and it’s always best to walk the other way. They’ve even been known to venture into town every once and while, fortunately every Tennessean knows to keep their garbage cans locked.
9. Tennesseans Like To Know Where You Go To Church
Anyone who’s spent any time in Tennessee has become well aware it’s part of the “bible belt.” While it’s not quite as apparent in the larger cities, one of the first questions you’ll get asked during small talk conversations in the more rural towns is “so, what church do you attend?”
While some Tennesseans feel as if they’ll be judged for their answer, it’s more likely the person just wants to invite you to join them next Sunday. Because religion is so ingrained in the Tennessee culture, it’s just another means of extending that southern hospitality the state is famous for.
10. The Rebel Flag Is A Symbol Of State Pride
While the Confederate Army is known around the nation for supporting things like slavery and breaking off of the Union, there’s not the same negative connotation associated with it in many southern states, including Tennessee.
This era was an important part of the state’s history, and a flying rebel flag is often just an extension of state pride rather than a rude gesture. Still, seeing it on a regular basis around the smaller towns of Tennessee is something that takes out-of-towners a little while to get used to.
11. College Game Days Shut Cities Down
Whether a Tennessean is cheering for the Volunteers or the Commodores, football game days tend to turn cities into ghost towns as everyone is either at the game or watching it in their favorite bar.
With bitter rivalries across the SEC, every game is full of energy and excitement. Of course, the instate rivalry is always the most important, with the Tennessee Volunteers leading the Vanderbilt Commodores 73-30-5 in a series that’s been in the works in 1892.
With some of the best barbecue and whiskey in the country, Tennesseans know they live in the best state in the country. Plus, nothing can beat the awesome outdoors and football that comes with the territory.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Tennessee in the comments below! 
