Tennessee whiskey comes with some famous brands that you may have heard of. You will find that there are rules to being called a Tennessee whiskey you must follow. We shall look at some of those rules here, and why we have them.
There are requirements a whiskey has to meet before it qualifies to be called a bourbon. It has to have been distilled from mash made from at least 51% corn, it must be aged in new charred oak barrels, nothing reused, distilled under 160 proof and barreled above 125 proof. It needs to be above 80 proof when bottled. The whiskey must have been made in the US to earn that title.
Most bourbon in the US comes from Kentucky. This has made it seem like a requirement, which is why Tennessee whiskey is not regarded as one of them. However Tennessee whiskey adheres to all set rules, and goes one even further. There is a rule that says the distilleries there must use the Lincoln County Process for their products to earn the name Tennessee whiskey. This is the process where the distilled whiskey shall go through a charcoal filter right before barreling. This filtering process is done differently by each distillery. It shall result in a more mellow flavor of the whiskey. You can expect Tennessee whiskey to have a burn not as harsh as the others. Tennessee whiskey shall then be aged in Tennessee.
Jack Daniels makes up for one of the most famous Tennessee whiskey brands out there. The distillery has been active for over 150 years. The brand has also grown in prominence due to its association with pop culture figures and events all this time. You will also hear of George Dickel, the next most famous Tennessee whiskey brand. There is also another called Popcorn Sutton. You shall discover more brands of Tennessee whiskeys out there.
You will find that these distilleries also hold tours for their customers. You will get to observe their whiskey making processes. You shall also be given a chance to sample their products, even the lesser known brands. You need to make plans to go for these beautiful tours, even when you are far.
There are some issues with the Tennessee whiskey liquor law. All the distilleries operating in the same environment feel that Jack Daniels gains an unfair advantage with them. They see it as unfair to be in a situation that has Jack Daniels having an easier time than them competing.
Most of the whiskey connoisseurs do not think much of Tennessee whiskey, not even Jack Daniels. But this should not stop you from trying it out, especially if you love whiskey. It can also serve as a great gift to a loved one. You shall learn more about enjoying this drink on this site.