What is Tennessee Whiskey?
Perhaps you’re sipping on an iconic Tennessee whiskey brand like George Dickel or Jack Daniel’s. Maybe you’ve just listened to the song “Tennessee Whiskey,” originally recorded by David Allen Coe and covered by George Jones, Chris Stapleton, and T-Pain (yes, you read that correctly). And it’s got you wondering, what is a Tennessee Whiskey? And is Tennessee whiskey just another term for bourbon?
As smooth as Tennessee whiskey…
Whiskey has deep roots in Tennessee history and tradition. Although you might find it sitting side-by-side on the liquor store shelf with bourbon, Tennessee whiskey fits into its own unique category.
Pour yourself another glass (around here, we like it neat), and let’s dig into what Tennessee whiskey is, what makes it unique, and the best places to experience it for yourself first-hand.
The Definition of Tennessee Whiskey
Tennessee lawmakers are pretty strict about what can be called Tennessee whiskey. You don’t get to slap that phrase on your bottle just because you make your whiskey in the Volunteer State.
As defined by state law, Tennessee whiskey must be:
Manufactured in Tennessee;
Made of a grain mixture that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) corn;
Distilled to no more than one hundred sixty (160) proof or eighty percent (80%) alcohol by volume.
Aged in new, charred oak barrels in Tennessee;
Filtered through maple charcoal prior to aging;
Placed in the barrel at no more than one hundred twenty-five (125) proof or sixty-two and one-half percent (62.5%) alcohol by volume; and bottled at not less than eighty (80) proof or forty percent (40%) alcohol by volume.
Is Tennessee Whiskey Bourbon?
If you are a bourbon fan, those requirements should sound pretty familiar. In fact, bourbon whiskey and Tennessee whiskey share the exact same legal requirements, with the exception that Tennessee whiskey adds the step that it must be filtered through charcoal prior to bottling. This is known as the Lincoln County Process, and we will explain that more in a moment.
Any distillery that doesn’t follow those requirements and markets their product as Tennessee whiskey can have their license revoked for at least a year. Talk about a buzzkill...
History of Tennessee Whiskey
Like we said at the beginning, the art of whiskey-making goes way back in Tennessee history. As America expanded West in the early 19th century, many frontiersmen, Scottish and Irish in particular, brought the art of whiskey making with them. The mid-to-late-1800’s saw the rise of Tennessee whiskey brands Jack Daniel’s, George Dickel, and Nelson’s Greenbrier.
Two men destroying a still in Tennessee, courtesy TSLA.
Prohibition brought all that to a stand still. Tennessee’s General Assembly passed a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the state in 1909, ten years BEFORE Federal prohibition began with the passage of 18th amendment in 1919. Most distilleries were forced to close, with only a few of the largest surviving to reopen after prohibition was repealed.
What is the Lincoln County Process?
The only difference between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey is that Tennessee whiskey must go through the Lincoln County Process of charcoal filtration. So what is that exactly?
In short, it is a process of charcoal filtration that must occur for whiskey to be considered Tennessee whiskey. According to the official Jack Daniel’s website, “It’s a 3-5 day filtration process in which newly-distilled Jack Daniel’s trickles drop by drop through 10 feet of densely packed sugar maple charcoal.”
Is Jack Daniel’s bourbon?
Yes, with the extra step that it is filtered through sugar maple charcoal prior to barrel aging. This step transforms Jack Daniel’s into Tennessee whiskey.
As the story goes, Jack Daniel was originally taught the Lincoln County Process by an enslaved man named Nearest Green. Later, when Daniel opened his own distillery, he hired Nearest Green as his Master Distiller.
Famous Tennessee Whiskey Brands
Jack Daniel’s is not only the best known Tennessee whiskey brand, it is one of the top-selling whiskeys worldwide. The Nearest Green Distillery opened in 2019, and their Uncle Nearest lineup of premium whiskeys is the fastest growing American whiskey brand in the United States.
Tennessee Whiskey Tours partners with various distilleries in Middle Tennessee for our Tennessee Whiskey Experience tour. Many of them produce Tennessee whiskey, including Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Company Distilling, Pennington Distilling, and Nelson’s Green Brier.
Tennessee Whiskey Flavor Profile
Depending on the variety, Tennessee whiskey has notes of caramel, vanilla, fruit, and oak, all very similar to bourbon whiskey. Some distilleries sell their whiskey blended with other ingredients, like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey or Pennington’s Tennessee Sipping Cream.
Visiting Tennessee Whiskey Distilleries
Are you planning a trip to Nashville and looking to visit some iconic Tennessee whiskey distilleries? Book your experience through Tennessee Whiskey Tours and we will simplify your travel arrangements. Whether you want a bus tour to Jack Daniel’s, Nearest Green, or a few craft distilleries around Nashville, we’ve got the right experience for you.
Interested in a corporate group tour or team building experience in Nashville? We offer private corporate tours that make a memorable experience for your employees or clients.