Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey is a type of whiskey that is produced in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The production process and the characteristics of this whiskey are defined by the North American Free Trade Agreement and the law of the United States, which states that Tennessee whiskey must meet the legal definition of bourbon to be classified as such. However, it also requires an additional step known as the Lincoln County Process to be labeled as Tennessee whiskey.

History

The history of Tennessee whiskey is closely tied to the history of distillation in the United States. The first distilleries in Tennessee were established in the late 18th century by settlers from Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of the British Isles. The most famous Tennessee whiskey distillery, the Jack Daniel's distillery, was established in 1866.

Production

The production of Tennessee whiskey begins with the fermentation of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn. The mixture is then distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume). The distilled spirit is then filtered through a thick layer of maple charcoal before it is aged in new, charred oak barrels. This process, known as the Lincoln County Process, is what distinguishes Tennessee whiskey from bourbon.

Brands

There are several brands of Tennessee whiskey available on the market today. The most well-known is Jack Daniel's, which is also the top-selling American whiskey in the world. Other notable brands include George Dickel, Collier and McKeel, and Benjamin Prichard's.

See also

• Bourbon whiskey
• Corn whiskey
• Distilled beverage