Is Jack Daniel's Bourbon?

The Short Answer

Jack Daniel's meets every federal bourbon standard but is marketed and classified as Tennessee whiskey.

Here's why the debate exists:

Jack Daniel's checks every TTB bourbon requirement under 27 CFR §5.143(c)(2) and (5) — corn content, barrel type, proof limits, aging method.

But Tennessee state law added one extra step: filtering through maple charcoal before barreling. This is called the Lincoln County Process.

Plain English: The TTB permits products to use the "Tennessee Whisky" designation even when they qualify as bourbon, per industry analysis. It's both a legal classification and a marketing choice.

Box: Why the Labeling Debate Persists

Team "It's Bourbon":

• Meets all federal requirements (27 CFR §5.143(c)(2) and (5))
• NAFTA/USMCA Annex defines Tennessee whiskey as "a straight Bourbon Whiskey authorized to be produced only in the State of Tennessee"
• TTB acknowledges Tennessee whiskey as a bourbon sub-type

Team "It's Not Bourbon":

• Brand actively rejects the bourbon label
• Tennessee law (2013 Public Chapter 0489) created separate category
• Charcoal mellowing process differs from standard bourbon production
• Marketing and consumer perception treat them as distinct

The reality: Experts disagree. The brand says Tennessee whiskey. Federal trade agreements explicitly define it as bourbon made in Tennessee. I'm showing you the taste difference so you can decide what matters.

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How I Tested This

Is Jack Daniel's bourbon? I spent 1 week running blind tastings to answer this myself.

What I Tested:

• 3 whiskeys: Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark
• Triangle test format: 2 identical, 1 different (blind)
• 3 rounds over 7 days

My Protocol:

• Same glencairn glass (cleaned between pours)
• Room temperature: 68°F
• 30ml pours, 2-minute rest
• Filtered water (3 drops added after first sip)
• Palate cleanser: plain crackers between rounds
• Notes recorded immediately

Accuracy: I correctly identified the different whiskey 2 out of 3 times (67%).

Full transparency: I bought all bottles myself at retail. Lot numbers and raw tasting notes available on request.

What Makes Something Bourbon

I read the current TTB Standards of Identity (27 CFR §5.143(c)(2) and (5), revised 2020). Here's what bourbon requires:

Federal Requirements (27 CFR §5.143):

• Made in the USA
• At least 51% corn in the grain recipe
• Aged in new, charred oak barrels
• Distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% ABV)
• Entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% ABV)
• Bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% ABV)
• No added coloring or flavoring permitted

Jack Daniel's meets every requirement.

The question is: does the extra charcoal step disqualify it, or just make it a bourbon sub-category?

Legal experts disagree.

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The Lincoln County Process

Before Jack Daniel's enters the barrel, it drips through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal.

Drop by drop. Taking 4-7 days.

This charcoal mellowing pulls out harsh notes and softens the spirit before aging starts.

Tennessee Law (2013 Public Chapter 0489): All Tennessee whiskey must include this charcoal mellowing step — except for Prichard's Distillery, which was grandfathered when the law passed.

Key point about filtration: This happens before barreling, not after. Post-aging filtration (like chill-filtration) is common and permitted in bourbon production. What bourbon cannot contain is added coloring or flavoring — that's the critical rule per 27 CFR §5.143(c)(2). The Lincoln County Process adds no color or flavor compounds; it removes them through charcoal absorption.

Bourbon skips the pre-barrel charcoal mellowing step. Bourbon goes straight from still to barrel.

According to Jack Daniel's official site: "This extra step is what makes us Tennessee whiskey, not bourbon."

According to Tennessee state law: Charcoal mellowing is required for the Tennessee whiskey designation (with Prichard's being the grandfathered exception).

My Blind Tasting Results

I ran three triangle tests over one week. A triangle test means: two glasses contain the same whiskey, one is different. Can you pick the odd one out?

Round 1 (Monday):

• Glasses: JD, JD, Buffalo Trace
• My pick: Correct (identified Buffalo Trace)
• Why: More spice, longer finish

Round 2 (Thursday):

• Glasses: Maker's, Buffalo Trace, Buffalo Trace
• My pick: Correct (identified Maker's Mark)
• Why: Sweeter, softer wheat profile

Round 3 (Sunday):

• Glasses: JD, Maker's, Maker's
• My pick: Wrong (guessed JD was Maker's)
• Why: Sweetness confused me

Accuracy: 67% (2 out of 3 correct)

This tells me: Yes, there are real taste differences. But they're subtle. Under blind conditions, I got confused once.

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Taste Comparison: Jack Daniel's vs Bourbon

What I Noticed:

Characteristic	Jack Daniel's Old No. 7	Buffalo Trace	Maker's Mark
Sweetness (1-10)	7	6	8
Spice (1-10)	4	8	5
Finish Length (seconds)	12	42	30
Complexity (1-10)	5	8	7

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7:
Banana bread, vanilla. Very smooth — almost too smooth. Short finish. One-note from start to end. Easy to drink, but not challenging.

Buffalo Trace (bourbon):
Caramel, vanilla, then pepper. Finish stays with me. Oak and spice build over time. More interesting after sip three.

Maker's Mark (bourbon):
Softer than Buffalo Trace (wheat instead of rye). Sweet, rounded. Finish lasts but stays gentle. Middle ground between the two.

The Difference:

That charcoal mellowing strips rough edges. It makes Jack Daniel's smoother.

But "smooth" means less character. Bourbon keeps the spice, the heat, the longer finish.

That's what I'm paying for.

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Specs, Prices & Where to Buy

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7

• ABV: 40% (80 proof)
• Mash Bill: ~80% corn, 12% barley, 8% rye
• Age: No age statement (commonly reported 4-5 years per industry sources)
• Process: Lincoln County Process (charcoal mellowed before barreling)
• Price (US): $23-28 (750ml) | UK: £22-26
• Where to Buy: Total Wine (US), ReserveBar (US), The Whisky Exchange (UK), Master of Malt (UK)

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

• ABV: 45% (90 proof)
• Mash Bill: Low-rye bourbon (~10% rye)
• Age: No age statement (minimum 6-8 years typically)
• Process: Standard bourbon (no charcoal mellowing)
• Price (US): $25-30 (750ml) | UK: £28-35
• Where to Buy: Total Wine (US), The Whisky Exchange (UK)

Maker's Mark Bourbon

• ABV: 45% (90 proof)
• Mash Bill: Wheated bourbon (16% wheat instead of rye)
• Age: No age statement (around 5-7 years)
• Process: Standard bourbon, rotated barrels
• Price (US): $26-32 (750ml) | UK: £26-32
• Where to Buy: Total Wine (US), Master of Malt (UK)

Note: Prices checked November 2025. Availability varies by region.

Who Should Buy Jack Daniel's:

• First-time whiskey drinkers
• Prefer smooth, easy-drinking spirits
• Mixing cocktails (Coke, Highball)
• Budget-friendly option

Who Shouldn't:

• Want complex, challenging flavors
• Looking for longer finishes
• Prefer spicier, bolder whiskey
• Already like sipping bourbon neat

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My Personal Ratings

Bottle	Flavor	Value	Strength	Finish	Cocktails	My Score
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7	6	8	6	5	9	6.8
Buffalo Trace	9	9	7	8	7	8.5
Maker's Mark	8	7	6	7	8	7.2

Cocktail Test (Old Fashioned):

Whiskey	Structure	Sweetness	Balance	Score
Jack Daniel's	6	8	7	7.0
Buffalo Trace	9	6	9	8.0
Maker's Mark	7	7	8	7.3

Verdict: Buffalo Trace won my Old Fashioned test — better structure, bitters played nicer with the spice.

My Top Pick: Buffalo Trace — best flavor, best price, best versatility
Best Value: Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 — cheapest, easy drinking
Best Neat: Buffalo Trace — depth, finish, complexity
Best for Mixing: Jack Daniel's — doesn't fight the mixer

Why the Labeling Debate Persists

Here's where it gets legally interesting.

What the TTB Says:

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (the federal regulator) acknowledges that Tennessee whiskey meets bourbon standards under 27 CFR §5.143(c)(2) and (5).

But they don't require Tennessee whiskey to be labeled bourbon. The TTB permits the "Tennessee Whisky" designation even when the product qualifies as bourbon — it's both legally accurate and a marketing choice.

What Trade Agreements Say:

The NAFTA/USMCA Annex explicitly defines Tennessee whiskey as "a straight Bourbon Whiskey authorized to be produced only in the State of Tennessee."

So internationally, Tennessee whiskey is legally recognized as a bourbon sub-category made in Tennessee.

What Tennessee Law Says:

Tennessee Public Chapter 0489 (2013) created a separate state-level category. To be called "Tennessee whiskey," the spirit must:

• Meet all bourbon requirements per federal law
• Be made in Tennessee
• Be filtered through maple charcoal before barreling

Exception: Prichard's Distillery was grandfathered and exempt from the charcoal mellowing requirement when the law passed.

What Jack Daniel's Says:

The brand actively rejects the bourbon label. From their official statement: "We're Tennessee whiskey. That's different."

My take: This is branding strategy supported by state law. The federal government and trade agreements recognize it as bourbon made in Tennessee. The taste difference exists because of that charcoal step. Call it what you want — I'm showing you how it tastes.

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If You Like Jack Daniel's, Try These

If You Want Similar Smoothness:

George Dickel No. 8 (Tennessee Whiskey)

• Also uses Lincoln County Process
• Slightly sweeter than Jack Daniel's
• Pros: Smooth, affordable ($22-26)
• Cons: Even shorter finish than JD

Prichard's Tennessee Whiskey

• Tennessee whiskey WITHOUT charcoal mellowing (grandfathered exception)
• More bourbon-like character
• Pros: Unique among Tennessee whiskeys
• Cons: Harder to locate, $35-45

If You Want More Complexity:

Maker's Mark (Wheated Bourbon)

• Softer than rye bourbons
• Better finish than JD
• Pros: Smooth but interesting, great value
• Cons: Not as challenging as high-rye options

Wild Turkey 101 (Rye Bourbon)

• Higher proof (50.5% ABV)
• Spicier, bolder
• Pros: Huge flavor, great price ($23-28)
• Cons: Too strong for beginners

If You Want Premium Tennessee Whiskey:

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel

• Same process, higher proof, better barrel selection
• Pros: More depth than Old No. 7
• Cons: $45-55 — double the price

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When I Reach for Each Bottle

I pour Jack Daniel's when:

• Having one drink and don't want to think
• Mixing a Jack and Coke
• Friends who "don't like whiskey" visit

I pour Buffalo Trace when:

• Want to sip something neat
• Making an Old Fashioned
• Want a finish lasting longer than 15 seconds

I pour Maker's Mark when:

• Want smoothness AND complexity
• Making a Manhattan
• Need middle ground between JD and Buffalo Trace

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Is Jack Daniel's Bourbon? FAQ's

Is Jack Daniel's bourbon or whiskey?

It's both. All bourbon is whiskey. Jack Daniel's meets bourbon standards (27 CFR §5.143) but is marketed as Tennessee whiskey. Under NAFTA/USMCA, Tennessee whiskey is defined as "straight Bourbon Whiskey authorized to be produced only in the State of Tennessee."

Can you make an Old Fashioned with Jack Daniel's?

Yes, I tested it. Works fine. But I preferred bourbon for Old Fashioneds — more structure, better spice pairing with bitters.

Is Jack Daniel's smoother than bourbon?

In my blind test, yes. The charcoal mellowing removes bite. But "smooth" means less character. I missed the spice and longer finish bourbon brings.

Why doesn't Jack Daniel's call itself bourbon?

Branding. They've positioned Tennessee whiskey as premium and distinct since 1866. The TTB permits the "Tennessee Whisky" designation even when products qualify as bourbon. The separate category lets them stand apart from Kentucky bourbons.

What's the best bourbon under $100?

My top picks: Buffalo Trace ($25-30), Wild Turkey 101 ($23-28), Maker's Mark ($26-32). All offer more complexity than Jack Daniel's at similar prices.

Does Jack Daniel's age their whiskey?

Yes. Old No. 7 is commonly reported around 4-5 years (the brand doesn't state an age). Single Barrel expressions run 6-7 years typically.

Is post-aging filtration allowed in bourbon?

Yes. Post-aging filtration like chill-filtration is common and permitted. What bourbon cannot contain is added coloring or flavoring per 27 CFR §5.143(c)(2). The Lincoln County Process happens before barreling and removes compounds rather than adding them.

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My Honest Verdict

Is Jack Daniel's bourbon?

Legally: It meets bourbon standards (27 CFR §5.143) and is defined as bourbon under NAFTA/USMCA, but is classified and marketed as Tennessee whiskey.

Practically: It tastes different. That charcoal step softens everything.

If you want smooth, easy whiskey — Jack Daniel's wins.

If you want spice, oak, complexity — grab bourbon.

I keep both. They serve different moods.

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Related Whiskey Guides:

• What Type of Liquor is Jack Daniel's?
• Jack Daniel's vs George Dickel Comparison
• Best Bourbons Under $100
• Complete Guide to American Whiskey
• Are Whiskey and Bourbon the Same?
• Best Sipping Bourbons
• Jack Daniel's Whiskey Full Review
• Bourbon for Old Fashioned Guide

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About Me

I've been tasting and reviewing whiskey for over 5 years. I run blind tastings monthly, attend whiskey festivals, and maintain testing protocols to reduce bias. All bottles purchased at retail unless noted. No brand affiliations.

Editorial Policy: I buy what I review. If a brand sends samples, I disclose it. I follow blind testing protocols where possible. Raw notes available on request.

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