More Lawsuits Filed Against Lincoln County Over Jack Daniels Whiskey Mushroom

LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. (WHNT) – After a couple sued the Lincoln County government for compensation for the whiskey fungus that destroyed their home and business, other community members joined the lawsuit .

JB Cox, the Chancellor of Tennessee’s 17th District Chancery Court, ruled in February that Jack Daniels and parent company Brown-Forman Corp. failed to follow the processes required to build and expand a barrel operation at the site and ordered a work stoppage effective immediately.

Cox ruled that Brown-Forman illegally built six barrel homes located within yards of a business long-owned by Patrick and Christy, in that area since 2018. The lawsuit alleged that Lincoln County “did not take appropriate measures to stop illegal construction”.

Residents who have lived on the Lincoln and Moore county border for decades want to stop whiskey production altogether.

Pam Butler, who has lived in her home for 20 years, says she doesn’t use social media as much or watch TV. Therefore, she was unaware of the trial until a neighbor informed her of the judge’s decision.

His house is located closest to all the warehouses. The house, cars, stable and all the trees have been destroyed by the alcohol-fed black fungus or the evaporating liquor fueled by the whiskey aging process.

Butler told News 19 that she didn’t hesitate to join the lawsuit.

“Once they realized that the quality of life of the people who live in that area was affected, they should have started to think that the concentration of so many barrels had something to do with it,” Butler said.

Jason Holleman, the trial attorney, said he hoped the Lincoln County judge would take action against the existing barrels and the planned 14.

“The court’s earlier decision found all of the barrel homes to be in violation, but limited its relief to the building that was currently under construction,” Holleman explained. “What we hope to do with this lawsuit is expand that ruling to encompass all barrel relief.”

Several other residents joined in the pursuit. They hope Judge Cox will stop barrel production until Jack Daniels agrees to a filtration system to stop further damage.