Bourbon vs. Whiskey vs. Whisky - A Below the Line Knowledge Nugget

This post evolved from my annoyance with people calling Jack Daniels Bourbon (It says Tenn. Sour Mash Whiskey right on the bottle. I mean C’mon!). This is a subject I feel any Southern man, or ANY whiskey drinker for that matter, should know about. While (in my opinion) Jack is delicious, it is most certainly not a bourbon. When I ask for bourbon at a bar and the Bartender grabs for Jack I get upset. Some people don’t think there’s a difference… but how wrong they are… Although there aren’t huge differences between the two, I’m here to help inform you that not all whiskeys are the same. To first understand the difference between Jack Daniels and Bourbon, one must understand the difference between bourbon, whiskey, and whisky.

Whats the difference?
All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Before I go on, Canadians and Scots spell it “whisky” and the Irish spell it “whiskey.” Most U.S. dictionaries prefer the Irish spelling, but the U.S. Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, Congress spelled it “whisky.” Despite what “the book” says all self respecting alchemy’s know that all US whiskey is spelled with an “ey” and everything else (minus the Irish variety) is spelled without the “e”. Whats the difference between the US and foreign versions of whiskey/whisky? Not a damn thing (or at least nothing by law).

A definition of whiskey/whisky from www.kentuckyconnect.com: “Whisky is an alcoholic distillate from a fermented mash of grain produced at less than 190 proof in such a manner that the distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to whiskey, stored in oak containers (except that corn whisky need not be so stored), and bottled at not less than 80 proof, and also includes mixtures of such distillates for which no specific standards of identity are prescribed.”

For a whiskey to qualify as bourbon, the boozehound law (by international agreement) stipulates that it must be made in the USA. It must be made from at least 51% and no more than 79% Indian corn, and aged for at least two years. (Most bourbon is aged for four years or more.) The barrels for aging can be made of any kind of new oak, charred on the inside. Nowadays all distillers use American White Oak, because it is porous enough to help the bourbon age well, but not so porous that it will allow barrels to leak. It must be distilled at no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor or sweetness or alter color. The other grains used to make bourbon, though not stipulated by law, are malted barley and either rye or wheat.

Jack Vs. Bourbon?
I’ll pose the question again; Is Jack Daniels Bourbon? Nope and here’s why. Jack Daniels goes over on the strictly allowed corn usage by a mere 1% (80% corn). Also instead of going straight to the barrel, Jack adds an extra step. Jack Daniel’s is dripped slowly - drop-by-drop - through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal (made from hard sugar maple) before going into new charred oak barrels for aging. This special process gives Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey its rare smoothness. It’s this extra step - charcoal mellowing - that makes Jack Daniel’s a Tennessee Whiskey. (source: http://www.jackdaniels.com/faq.aspx) There you have it, from the horses mouth. Jack Daniels is NOT bourbon.

Who Cares?
I do and I know a bunch of distillers and manufacturers that would care as well. Not to mention both Bourbon in general and Jack Daniels are sources of southern and their respected states pride. ONe of the things that first attracted me to “the finer things in life” such as Whiskey, Wine, Tobacco and food was how much care and pride their manufacturers or makers put into their creation. As a designer and artist I can relate to putting your blood, sweat, and tears into your creations. Passion is what sets the best apart from the pack. So in the spirit of passion, education and of course drinking I encourage you all to try these whiskeys/whiskies I have listed below and discover the differences for yourself.

Some of My Favorites:

Bourbon
George T. Stagg
Woodford Reserve
Blanton’s
Bulleit Bourbon (my mixing’ whiskey of choice)

wish list: Pappy, Buffalo Trace Single Oak, 4 Roses or whatever someone is buying…

Whiskey
Jack Daniels
Bushmill’s “Black Bush”

Whisky
The Glenrothes
The Balvenie
The Macallan

Bonus Tidbit: Many Scotch Whisky producers have used bourbon oak barrels shipped to Scotland to age their whiskys in. This tactic contributes to Scotch’s extra smokiness and flavor.