What's the difference between bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey?

Question: What's the difference between bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey?

Answer:

I hear it all the time: “Isn’t Jack Daniel’s bourbon?” The answer is simple: No. Jack Daniel’s is Tennessee Whiskey. So what’s the difference?

Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash containing at least 51% corn. The remainder of the mashbill is made up of malted barley and either rye or wheat (although this is not stipulated by law). Most bourbons contain more than 51% corn, but they cannot contain more than 80% corn, or it is considered corn whiskey. Bourbon must be aged a minimum of two years in charred new oak barrels at no more than 125 proof. If aged less than four years, this must be stated on the bottle. Many people think that bourbon can only be made in Kentucky. This is not the case. While bourbon gets it name from the Kentucky county of its birth, the spirit can be made anywhere in the United States. In fact, there is currently no bourbon produced in Bourbon County.

While Tennessee Whiskey is not defined by law, all are made in Tennessee. Currently only two distilleries remain in Tennessee: Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel. While similar to bourbon in almost every respect, one feature distinguishes Tennessee whiskeys from all others: the Lincoln County Process. Also known as “charcoal mellowing,” the process involves filtering the whiskey through a 10-foot layer of sugar maple charcoal prior to aging. The argument is that it refines the flavor of the whiskey before maturation.

So, there’s the difference. It doesn’t sound like much, but that one extra step creates a unique flavor profile. Also, don’t be confused if you see the words “charcoal filtered” on a bourbon label. This is actually a filtration process after aging that helps to remove certain impurities in the spirit. Tennessee whiskeys go through the same procedure.