When it comes to bourbon, people have opinions. Like, strong opinions. And one of those opinions at the top of the list is: what exactly should be considered bourbon? And that brings us to the point of this article — is Jack Daniels a bourbon whiskey or not?
To start, Jack Daniels doesn’t call itself a bourbon. All you have to do is ask them because they are very adamant that Jack Daniels is a “Tennessee Whiskey.” It’s all over their branding. That said, don’t tell them we told you, but Jack Daniels technically meets all the requirements to be a bourbon according to the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, including its proof.
Bourbon starts with a combination of grain, yeast, and water. After the fermentation process, the leftover crushed grain is called a “mash.” The “mash bill” is the specific types of grains used in making any particular whiskey. To be considered bourbon, the mash bill must have a minimum of 51% corn, though most have much higher. The liquid is then aged in charred oak barrels, and nothing else can be added other than water — no artificial flavorings, colorings, nothing.
So, all that said, why does Jack Daniels say it’s not a bourbon?
Read more: 12 Bourbons You Should Leave On The Shelf
It’s All About The Charcoal
A statue of Jack Daniels, outside of Cave Springs Hollow on the Jack Daniels Distillery property – L Obladen/Shutterstock
What sets Jack Daniels — and any other “Tennessee Whiskey” — apart is what is called the Lincoln County Process.Before going into new oak barrels to age, “Jack Daniel’s is dripped slowly – drop-by-drop – through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal (made from hard sugar maple),” according to the brand’s website.
Though unrelated to whether it’s a bourbon or whiskey, Jack Daniels is also unique in that it draws its water from Cave Spring Hollow, a natural underground water source on its property. The company says it draws 800 gallons of water from miles below the Earth’s surface every minute. This 56-degree water also brings minerals from the cave’s layered limestone walls that help make the Tennessee whiskey so unique.
To recap: Is Jack Daniel’s a bourbon? Technically, yes. But is it also a Tennessee Whiskey? Yes, thanks to the Lincoln County Process of charcoal mellowing, it’s branded as that as well. So, is that as clear as charcoal now?
Read the original article on Chowhound.
