Ep. 46 - Mission Social in Franklin, TN: Local Cigar Shop & TN Bourbon - TN Collective + Franklin Distillery

This episode is anchored in one of the South’s most iconic towns—Franklin, Tennessee—where history, hospitality, and a damn good pour all collide. Jason and Bradford sit down with Monty Collins of Mission Cigar and Social, now firmly planted just off the historic downtown square. If you’re visiting Franklin—and you should be—this is where you land. While the shops, restaurants, and charm pull people in… Mission Cigar is where conversations actually happen. Also visit their Spring Hill, TN location. And on this porch, the pours are as local as it gets. The guys light up a Padrón 50th Anniversary—a top-shelf cigar that might just be “last smoke worthy.  Additionally the boys crack into a rare Franklin Distillery 20-Year—a true “sleeper” bottle that drinks far smoother than its proof—and a one-of-a-kind Tennessee Collective Whiskey, a 12-distillery collaboration that might be the most uniquely Tennessee pour you’ll ever taste. This isn’t just whiskey—it’s a snapshot of what’s happening across the state right now. From heritage names to rising players, Tennessee is building something real: Jack Daniel's – the global standard Company Distilling – modern craft done right Leiper's Fork Distillery – local pride with serious flavor Nashville Barrel Company – sourcing and blending at a high level Sugarlands Distilling Company & Ole Smoky Distillery – Smoky Mountain staples Old Glory Distilling Co. & Tennessee Legend Distillery – honoring tradition Tennessee Hills Distillery & Old Forge Distillery – small-town craftsmanship Lost State Distilling – emerging and experimental Big Machine Distillery – bold and expanding   Together, they represent a growing movement—one that blends tradition, innovation, and a whole lot of Southern grit. Along the way, Monty shares his story—from chemist to business owner to selling the family company—and the unexpected weight that comes with success. It’s real talk about work, identity, and what actually lasts when the deal is done. This episode is about more than bourbon and cigars. It’s about place, people, and purpose. So if you’re headed to Franklin: 👉 Walk the square 👉 Take in the history 👉 And make your way to Mission Cigar We’ll save you a seat on the porch. Pour always good whiskey… or pour nothing at all.   Hashtags (real + high-impact): #TwoGuysOnAPorch #FranklinTN #VisitFranklin #TennesseeWhiskey #BourbonLife #CigarCulture #MissionCigar #JackDaniels #CompanyDistilling #LeipersFork #NashvilleBarrelCo #BigMachineDistillery #SugarlandsDistilling #OleSmoky #OldGloryDistilling #TennesseeLegend #TennesseeHills #OldForgeDistillery #LostStateDistilling #PorchLife #MenAndCommunity