It is the argument that has started more bar fights and debates than perhaps any other topic in the whiskey world. You are trading stories from patios, lounges, and late nights, pouring a drink, and someone confidently claims, “Jack Daniel’s isn’t bourbon.” Someone else immediately fires back, “Yes it is!” Is Jack Daniels bourbon, or is it something else entirely?
The answer is surprisingly simple, yet the marketing behind it is brilliant. Consequently, most people get it wrong. If you want to be the smartest person at your next gathering, you need to look past the label and look at the law. Here is the straight talk on America’s most famous spirit.
The Rules: What Actually Makes a Bourbon?
To understand if Old No. 7 makes the cut, we first have to establish the ground rules. As we discussed in our deep dive into the history of bourbon, Congress declared bourbon a “distinctive product of the United States” in 1964. Therefore, to legally be called bourbon, a spirit must follow a strict set of federal regulations.
Specifically, the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits state that bourbon must be:
Made in the USA: It can be made in any state, not just Kentucky.
The Mash Bill: It must be produced from a fermented mash of at least 51% corn.
The Barrel: It must be aged in new, charred oak containers.
The Proof: Distilled at no more than 160 proof, entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at 80 proof or more.
Additives: It cannot contain any additives, colorings, or flavorings.
If a whiskey checks all these boxes, it is bourbon. If it misses even one, it is just whiskey.
Does Jack Daniel’s Meet the Bourbon Criteria?
Let’s look at the stats for Jack Daniel’s. First, it is made in Lynchburg, Tennessee, which is obviously in the United States. Furthermore, its mash bill consists of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. This is well above the 51% requirement mentioned in our guide to bourbon basics.
In addition, Jack Daniel’s uses proprietary new American white oak barrels that they build themselves. They also distill and barrel the spirit within the correct proof limits. Finally, there are no artificial colors added; that beautiful amber color comes strictly from the wood.
Consequently, the verdict is clear: purely based on the technical and legal definition, Jack Daniel’s is bourbon.
However, if you look at the bottle, you will never see the word “Bourbon.” Instead, it proudly says “Tennessee Whiskey.” Why would they avoid the most popular whiskey category in the world?
The Lincoln County Process: The Twist
The difference lies in a single production step that happens before the whiskey enters the barrel. After distillation, Jack Daniel’s drips their white dog spirit through ten feet of sugar maple charcoal.
This step is called the Lincoln County Process (or charcoal mellowing). The distillery claims this filters out impurities and “mellows” the whiskey, giving it that distinct smooth finish. Because of this extra step, the state of Tennessee passed a law stating that to be “Tennessee Whiskey,” the spirit must be straight bourbon whiskey made in Tennessee and use the Lincoln County Process.
Here is where the confusion starts. Many purists argue that charcoal filtering alters the flavor, meaning it shouldn’t be bourbon. However, federal regulators disagree. The TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) has stated that charcoal filtering does not disqualify a spirit from being bourbon.
Why It Matters to the Everyday Patriot
So, why does Jack Daniel’s refuse to call itself bourbon? Marketing.
By creating a separate category called “Tennessee Whiskey,” Jack Daniel’s separated itself from the crowded field of Kentucky bourbons. As a result, they built a unique identity that feels exclusive. They aren’t just another bourbon on the shelf; they are the only Jack.
For the everyday patriot stocking their home bar, this distinction is mostly semantics. Whether you call it bourbon or Tennessee Whiskey, the production methods are nearly identical to the high-quality bourbons you know and love.
The Final Verdict
Next time someone tells you Jack Daniel’s isn’t bourbon, you can hit them with the facts. Technically, yes, is Jack Daniels bourbon? Absolutely. It meets every single legal requirement set by the US government.
However, it chooses to identify as Tennessee Whiskey to highlight that extra charcoal mellowing step. It is a square (Tennessee Whiskey) that is also a rectangle (Bourbon).
Now that you know the truth, pour a glass, light up a cigar, and enjoy the history in the glass.