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Why is Tennessee known for whiskey?
History of TN Whiskey T ennessee has long been a leader in producing distilled spirits. As our nations early founders moved west, they carried with them the craft of whiskey. Fortunately for Tennessee, the land, water, and climate is nearly perfect for the production of whiskey.
So make whiskey we did. Tennessee was a leading producer of distilled spirits even prior to the Civil War. In fact, Tennessee made so much whiskey, that the then Confederate government of Tennessee outlawed whiskey production in order to field and supply the army. This was the nation’s first act of prohibition.
Following the Civil War, Tennessee quickly rebuilt its distilled spirits industry. In 1908 Tennessee had hundreds of registered distilleries across the state. Unfortunately for Tennessee and enthusiasts of fine spirits everywhere, Tennessee again led the way in prohibition in 1910, banning the production of whiskey ten years ahead of the Federal ban in 1920.
- T ennessee would remain dry until 1939, six years after the Federal ban was lifted.
- While these laws destroyed the legal spirits trade in Tennessee, Tennesseans across the state kept making whiskey and maintained Tennessee’s reputation as a place for fine whiskey and moonshine.
- The Jack Daniel Distillery reopened soon after the law allowed in 1940, and George Dickel returned in the 1950’s, and both began rebuilding our once proud legal distilled spirits industry.
In the mid-1990’s Pritchard’s distillery opened Tennessee’s first craft distillery and that is where progress stalled. In 2009, Tennessee began reforming its prohibition-era laws and eliminated many nearly insurmountable legal barriers to entry. Since then, the number of Tennessee distilleries has grown from three to the now thirty distilleries Tennessee host’s across the state.
These distilleries range from small, boutique-style operations making traditional and innovative spirits to well-known distilleries that have been making legendary Tennessee Whiskey for generations. The Tennessee Whiskey Trail was established in 2017 by these distilleries to bring you our State’s great spirits heritage.
: History of TN Whiskey
What are the rules for Tennessee whiskey?
The law defines TN whiskey as: a spirit manufactured in TN; filtered through maple charcoal prior to aging, also know as the Lincoln County Process; made from grain that consists of at least 51% corn; distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% abv); aged in new charred oak barrels; placed in the barrel at no more than
What alcohol is made in Tennessee?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Whiskey being aged at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg The George Dickel distillery in Tullahoma Tennessee whiskey is straight whiskey produced in the U.S. state of Tennessee, Although it has been legally defined as a bourbon whiskey in some international trade agreements, most current producers of Tennessee whiskey disclaim references to their products as “bourbon” and do not label them as such on any of their bottles or advertising materials.
All current Tennessee whiskey producers are required by Tennessee law to produce their whiskeys in Tennessee and – with the sole exception of Benjamin Prichard’s – to use a filtering step known as the Lincoln County Process prior to aging the whiskey. Beyond the perceived marketing value of the distinction, Tennessee whiskey and bourbon have almost identical requirements, and most Tennessee whiskeys meet the criteria for bourbon.
Tennessee whiskey is one of the top ten exports of Tennessee. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, as of 2013, the U.S. market for bourbon and Tennessee whiskey reached $2.4 billion, and exports of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey grew to exceed $1 billion.
There are two major producers of Tennessee whiskey, Jack Daniel’s based in Lynchburg (owned by the Louisville, Kentucky -based Brown-Forman ) and George Dickel based in Cascade Hollow near Tullahoma (owned by the London-based Diageo ), as well as numerous locally based producers throughout the state.
In June 2017, the Tennessee Distillers Guild launched the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a 25-stop distillery tour across the state, to further promote Tennessee whiskey and local whiskey culture.
What is the national drink of Tennessee?
State Mineral: Agate – Agate is the official state mineral, as designated by Public Chapter 30 of the 106th General Assembly in 2009. Agate, a semiprecious gemstone, is a waxy, cryptocrystalline variety of mineral quartz in which the colors are present in bands, clouds, or distinct groups.
Can you drink Tennessee whiskey straight?
Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey is a great addition to many cocktails. It’s also delicious straight up or on the rocks.
Is Tennessee whiskey better than bourbon?
What is Tennessee Whiskey? – Tennessee whiskey is bourbon. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It meets the federal definition of bourbon: at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels and free of any additives. Tennessee whiskey, according to state law, must be filtered through charcoal, a process called the Lincoln County Process.
Why is Tennessee whiskey not bourbon?
Tennessee whiskey goes through a charcoal filtering process. – Tennessee whiskey uses the Lincoln County Process, a technique for which the unaged whiskey must be steeped in or filtered through maple charcoal chips before it’s barreled. This process removes impurities and strips the whiskey of some of its bolder corn profile, resulting in a mellower, softer spirit.
How long does Tennessee whiskey last?
So, How Long Does Whiskey Last? – While whiskey doesn’t necessarily expire, it does start to lose flavor and elements after it is opened. An unopened bottle of whiskey will last indefinitely if stored in proper condition. After opening a bottle of whiskey, you have as long as two years or as few as six months or less to drink it before it goes bad.
Is Jack Daniels A bourbon?
Jack Daniels is the world’s best-selling American whiskey, loved for its spicy, smokey taste and sweet finish. Technically a straight bourbon, the company prefers the moniker ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.
What is Tennessee most famous drink?
Tennessee – There are plenty of distilleries in Tennessee, but the best known is Jack Daniels. Born in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Jack Daniel was the youngest of ten children. He was raised in the Baptist church and while still very young, he worked for a grocer/distiller/preacher named Dan Call.
- Jack learned distilling from Call and a slave named Nearest Green.
- The water is often from underground streams and it’s naturally filtered through limestone.
- It is sweet and pure.
- Tennessee whiskey must be charcoal-filtered before aging—the charcoal is from sugar maples.
- The classic signature drink for Tennessee is Jack and Coke.
Just grab a glass, fill it with ice, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7, and some Classic Coke.
What is the most popular drink in Tennessee?
The Most Popular Liquor by State Have you ever wondered what the most-loved liquor in your state is? Last year, a social drinking app called found out by surveying 700,000 of its users to determine the most popular type of liquor in every state. If you’re a Tennessean, it won’t surprise you that whiskey is our favorite drink — Tennessee Whiskey is world-famous, after all.
But does it shock you that in 36 out of the 50 states, whiskey was the drink of choice? That’s 72 percent — so we think it’s safe to say that whiskey is America’s favorite liquor! Check out this map to see what the favorite beverage of your state is: In true Southern spirit, don’t forget to taste some of our locally-distilled whiskey while you’re in town.
Our 100-proof Classic American Corn Whiskey, Mitchum’s Old Tennessee Classic Whiskey, and Butcher’s 8-Year-Old Bourbon are our favorites — but if you hail from a non-whiskey-loving state, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got rum, vodka, Dumplin Creek Moonshine, and more to satisfy your palate.
Where is Tennessee moonshine made?
Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery | Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the world, the leading craft distiller in the U.S. and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Founded in 2010, Ole Smoky’s roots are traced to the Smoky Mountains’ earliest settlers, families who produced moonshine with enduring pride and Appalachian spirit.
- Today, Ole Smoky’s 25 creative moonshine flavors and 17 inventive whiskey flavors can be found in all 50 states and at the company’s four famed distilleries in Tennessee: The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg, The Barn in Pigeon Forge, and 6th & Peabody in Nashville.
- For more information, please visit olesmoky.com and follow Ole Smoky on social media @olesmoky.
: Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery | Gatlinburg, TN 37738