America’s most popular whiskey and one of the best-selling brands in the world, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey has attained an iconic cult status. The brand’s range includes the classic core bottling Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, alongside rye, flavored, and high-proof single barrel expressions. A testament to its cult status and continuing success, the brand’s merchandise ranges from glassware, apparel, and poker sets to partnerships with motorcycle manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Indian.
If you’ve ever been curious about this iconic brand, this complete guide explores its production, range, and tasting notes, providing answers to all your key questions.
Is Jack Daniel’s a Bourbon or a Tennessee Whiskey?
Jack Daniel’s distillate meets the U.S. regulatory criteria for classification as a straight bourbon – requirements state a bourbon must be produced in the U.S. from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. The distillery’s sour mash grain recipe uses a mix of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye, combined with spring water to produce its whiskey. An additional production step, the Lincoln County Process, makes it more than bourbon – it makes it a Tennessee Whiskey.
In 2013, the State of Tennessee enacted legislation requiring that all whiskey produced in the state had to use the Lincoln County Process to be officially labeled as Tennessee Whiskey (with one exception).
You can find out more about the distillery’s efforts to establish its Tennessee Whiskey here.
What is the Lincoln County Process?
The Lincoln County Process is more commonly known as charcoal mellowing, which involves filtering the distillate drop by drop through large vats filled with charcoal to remove imperfections and create the brand’s signature smooth whiskey.
The charcoal is produced at the distillery by burning sugar maple wood pallets doused in unaged whiskey in an open-air fire peaking at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—one reason the brand maintains an onsite fire department in case of distillery fires.
Once distilled to 140 proof, the unaged whiskey is drop-filtered through 10-foot vats of sugar maple charcoal—a process taking 3-5 days to complete. The mellowing process imparts a distinctive smoothness. “Charcoal can accomplish in days what the barrel takes a couple of years to accomplish,” states Master Distiller Jeff Arnett.
How is Jack Daniel’s Made?
Jack Daniel’s is produced from a traditional sour mash grain recipe consisting of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye, mixed with spring water filtered through layers of limestone and drawn from the distillery’s Cave Spring Hollow source. The distillation process begins by adding starter mash from a previous batch to ensure consistent, high-quality whiskey. The mash ferments for six days before being single distilled in a large copper still.
After charcoal mellowing, the whiskey is filled into newly handcrafted American white oak barrels and laid to rest in the multi-storied warehouses at the distillery. These warehouses vary between three and seven stories and contain a minimum of 7,000 barrels. Maturation typically takes four to six years, but as temperatures fluctuate across warehouse levels, barrel storage position can significantly influence maturation. This is why the brand strategically stores barrels in specific locations for different expressions.
What Are the Different Types of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey?
Alongside the classic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, the brand’s range has expanded to include flavored whiskey liqueurs, premium expressions, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. The Tennessee Flavored series of whiskey liqueurs include Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, and crisp Tennessee Apple.
Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack is a premium expression launched in 1988, which is double charcoal mellowed for exceptional smoothness. In 1997, the brand introduced the Single Barrel collection, featuring bottles from individual casks hand-selected by the master distiller. This expanded to include 100 Proof, Barrel Proof, and Rye expressions.
Launched in 2022, Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Triple Mash (a blend of Tennessee Whiskey, Rye, and American Malt) are bottled at 100 Proof (50% ABV).
How Did Jack Daniel’s Become So Popular?
The brand’s cult status and enduring popularity stem from varied merchandising, including glassware, poker sets, and collaborations with iconic brands such as Harley-Davidson and McLaren, alongside celebrity endorsements.
The first unofficial brand ambassador, Frank Sinatra, contributed significantly to its early success. The Rat Pack leader was often seen sipping a glass of Jack Daniel’s onstage while performing hits such as Fly Me to the Moon and My Way. In 1955, Sinatra brought a glass onstage, uttering the now-famous line: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Jack Daniel’s, and it’s the nectar of the gods.”
By 1956, annual sales had doubled from 150,000 cases to 300,000.
What Does Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Taste Like?
Jack Daniel’s whiskey balances sweet and oaky flavors. The core bottling, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, displays a smooth woody character with notes of vanilla, honey, and caramel.
Tasting notes for Old No. 7 from UK whisky retailer Master of Malt:
- Nose: Light with plenty of sweetness. Hints of dry spice and oily nuts, with a touch of smoke.
- Palate: Smooth and soft, featuring banana milkshake notes, mixed nuts, and caramel with crème anglaise.
- Finish: Sweet with cereal notes and toasty oak.
What Cocktails Can You Make With Jack Daniel’s?
Jack Daniel’s is a versatile whiskey, ideal served neat or in cocktails. The brand’s website features a library of cocktail recipes designed for each whiskey expression, including its interpretations of the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour.
First released in 2022, Jack & Coke is also available as a ready-to-drink canned cocktail.
Can You Tour The Distillery?
If you’re a fan, you’ll be pleased to know that you can visit the historic distillery and visitors’ center in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The site offers a range of tour and tasting experiences. For full details on booking a visit, check the distillery’s website.
What is the Price Range of Jack Daniel’s Whiskeys?
On Wine-Searcher, the brand’s products range from $3 for ready-to-drink canned cocktails up to $2,640 for limited edition and discontinued small-batch expressions, including Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century. The classic Old No. 7 and popular Gentleman Jack expressions currently have an average price of $27-$33 for a 750ml bottle in the United States.
Is Jack Daniel’s Considered a Good Whiskey?
The world’s best-selling American whiskey, Jack Daniel’s popularity soared after winning a gold medal for World’s Best Whiskey at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
The Single Barrel collection has won multiple awards, including Double Gold medals for Single Barrel Select and Barrel Proof at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Additionally, Jack Daniel’s Bonded 100 Proof expression earned gold medals from both the World Whiskies Awards and Bartender Spirits Awards in 2023.
