Jack Daniel's Whiskey
| Jasper Newton 'Jack' Daniel registered his distillery in Tennessee in 1866, unknowingly creating the world's best-selling American whiskey. The square bottle and black label are today just as recognisable as the name itself. |
About Jack Daniel's Whiskey
Jack Daniel's is far more than just another bourbon-like whiskey, it is the very symbol of American whiskey culture outside the US. While the whiskey technically meets the requirements for Straight Bourbon, the brand insists on calling itself Tennessee Whiskey, a designation resting on an extra filtration step the distillery believes sets it clearly apart from ordinary bourbon. For beginners, Jack Daniel's is often the first real whiskey they encounter, while collectors can hunt down the many special editions and single barrel releases that extend the range far beyond the standard bottle.
History & background
The distillery was founded in 1866 by Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel and is today the oldest officially registered distillery in the US. It sits in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in an ironic twist given that the whole county remains dry, meaning the distillery can't sell its whiskey at the door in the ordinary sense. Over more than 150 years the brand has grown from a local Tennessee operation into the world's best-selling American whiskey, without ever abandoning the square bottle and black label that have defined it since the start.
Production & style
What sets Jack Daniel's apart from ordinary bourbon is the Lincoln County Process, where the freshly distilled spirit is slowly filtered through thick layers of sugar maple charcoal before it ever touches a cask. After that, the whiskey matures in new, charred oak casks, the same cask requirement bourbon must meet, but the charcoal filtering gives Jack Daniel's a softer, rounder character.
Signature style
Soft, Sweet, Caramel-forward
Expect vanilla, caramel and a light smoky char, rounded off by the distinctive Tennessee softness.
Facts
| Distillery | Jack Daniel Distillery |
| Founded | 1866 |
| Pronounced | Djæk DÆ-ni-els |
| Region | Lynchburg, Tennessee |
| Country | USA |
| Owner | Brown-Forman |
| Water source | Cave Spring Hollow |
| Peat | Unpeated (charcoal mellowed – Lincoln County Process) |
| Official website | jackdaniels.com |
Did you know?
Lynchburg, the town where Jack Daniel's is distilled, sits in a county where the sale of alcohol is still banned, meaning the world's best-selling American whiskey is technically produced in a dry area.
If you like Jack Daniel's Whiskey, you should also try:
Jim Beam, Four Roses and Heaven Hill.