Welcome to our in-depth exploration of a long-standing debate: Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's is a well-known brand of Tennessee whiskey, but many wonder if it can also be classified as a bourbon.

To understand this debate, we first need to look at the criteria that define bourbon.

First, bourbon must be made in the USA and contain at least 51% corn in its mashbill.

It must also be aged in new, charred oak barrels.

The whiskey must be distilled to no more than 160 proof and enter the barrel at or below 125 proof.

Finally, it must be bottled at at least 80 proof.

Now, let's discuss what sets Jack Daniel's apart: the Lincoln County Process.

Jack Daniel's uses the Lincoln County Process, which involves filtering the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before aging.

What do experts and the industry say about Jack Daniel's classification?

"While Jack Daniel's meets all the criteria for bourbon, the company chooses not to call it a bourbon." Fred Minnick, 2024.

"Jack Daniel's meets all the requirements for bourbon and can be considered a bourbon. The Lincoln County Process does not disqualify it from being a bourbon." The Whiskey Shelf, 2024.

Jack Daniel's themselves state that they meet or exceed all the standards for bourbon but choose to call their product a Tennessee whiskey due to the additional step of charcoal mellowing.

So, is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?

In conclusion, while Jack Daniel's does not call itself a bourbon, it meets all the necessary criteria to be classified as one. The debate is largely a matter of marketing and branding.