Charlie Nelson

Charlie Nelson is the co-founder and former President & CEO of Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, LLC, a whiskey distillery located in Nashville, Tennessee.13 Along with his brother Andy Nelson, Charlie revived their family's pre-Prohibition whiskey business in 2009, which was originally founded by their great-great-great grandfather Charles Nelson in the 1860s.13

Charlie and Andy Nelson spent years researching and raising capital to resurrect the Nelson's Green Brier brand, taking inspiration from their ancestor's original recipes.1 They launched their first product, Belle Meade Bourbon, in March 2012.1 In 2014, they opened the new Green Brier Distillery in Nashville and began their own distillation.1

Under Charlie's leadership, the company grew significantly. Constellation Brands took a minority stake in the business in 2016 and later acquired a majority interest in 2019.12 However, in August 2023, Charlie Nelson announced his departure from the company he co-founded.2 His brother Andy Nelson continues to serve as the Head Distiller and has taken over the more public-facing duties previously handled by Charlie.2