Tennessee whiskey is the only type of American whiskey (unless you count Maryland rye or Pennsylvania rye, but most distilleries don’t add the state’s name on the label) that has a state designation. That’s because it can only be produced in the Volunteer State. On the flip side, bourbon isn’t called “Kentucky whiskey” because it can be made anywhere in the United States. Tennessee whiskey is a confusing name though. This is because bourbon, rye, single malt, and other types of whiskeys are made in Tennessee as well.
But to be called a Tennessee whiskey, certain rules must be followed. Since 2013, Tennessee state law dictates that this whiskey variety must be distilled in Tennessee (obviously), have a mash bill of at least 51% corn (just like bourbon), and be aged in new, charred oak barrels. While this seems like the same rules governing the production of bourbon, there’s one more step that makes Tennessee whiskey special.
To be called a Tennessee whiskey, the spirit must be filtered through charcoal, using what’s referred to as the Lincoln County Process. Prichard’s received special permission to make its whiskey without filtering it, but this brand is the exception to the rule.
There’s no bigger Tennessee whiskey brand than Jack Daniel’s. This iconic brand isn’t just one of the most popular whiskeys in the US, it’s one of the most popular in the world.
Chances are, you have a bottle of Jack on your home bar for mixing and sipping. If you’re looking for some other Tennessee whiskey options, there are plenty more options waiting to be discovered.
Prichard’s Tennessee Whiskey
Prichard’s is the only Tennessee whiskey brand that doesn’t use the Lincoln County Process. Some drinkers might just assume that means it’s bourbon, but it isn’t. Distilled with white corn instead of the more common yellow corn, it’s known for its sweet, nuanced, sippable flavor profile. Great for mixing into your favorite whiskey cocktails or slow sipping, it features a flavor palate of dried cherries, vanilla beans, caramel, chocolate, rich oak, and gentle wintry spices.
Buy: $48.99
George Dickel Bottled In Bond Tennessee Whisky
To be referred to as a bottle-in-bond whiskey, it must be matured for at least four years, be aged in a federally bonded warehouse, and be 100-proof (among other rules). In the Tennessee whiskey world, George Dickel Bottled In Bond is an exceptional bottle that needs to be added to your home bar cart. Made with 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, it’s known for its flavors of candied pecans, maple candy, orchard fruits, vanilla, caramel, and oaky wood.
Buy: $47.99
Davidson Reserve Tennessee Whiskey
This 96-proof Tennessee whiskey is made with a mash bill of 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malt. After sugar maple charcoal mellowing, it’s matured in charred oak for a full four years. The result is a complex, very smooth, gently spicy small-batch whiskey with notes of toffee, graham crackers, orchard fruits, toasted marshmallows, vanilla beans, mint, and gentle peppery spice. The finish is warming, lingering, and memorable.
Buy: $34.99
Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
First distilled back in the early 1900s, this brand was restarted a few years ago. This wheated mash bill Tennessee whiskey is mellowed through sugar maple charcoal before being matured in new, charred oak casks. The result is memorable, 91-proof sipping whiskey known for its flavors of cinnamon apples, toffee, vanilla beans, dried cherries, brown sugar, and oak. It’s soft, sweet, and perfect for drinking neat on a cool evening.
Buy: $27.99
Company Distilling Straight Tennessee Whiskey
Company Distilling co-founder and master distiller Jeff Arnett spent two decades at Jack Daniel’s so you know he and his team know a thing or two about distilling great Tennessee whiskey. The brand’s apple wood-finished Tennessee whiskey is a truly memorable expression. It’s mellowed through maple charcoal before maturing in charred white oak and finishing with toasted apple wood. The result is an 86.5-proof slow-sipping whiskey known for its flavor profile of dried fruits, cinnamon, cloves, toasted vanilla beans, caramel, and oaky wood. The finish is sweet, and warming, and leaves you craving more.
Buy: $59.99
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Uncle Nearest is named after Nearest Green, a former slave and whiskey pioneer who is well-known for teaching Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey in the 1850s. The brand doesn’t list itself as a “Tennessee whiskey,” but it’s produced in the state and follows all the rules, including filtering its whiskeys using the Lincoln County Process. That being said, one of its best expressions is its Uncle Nearest 1884. This small-batch whiskey is known for its nuanced flavor profile featuring notes of pipe tobacco, vanilla beans, toffee, chocolate, maple candy, cinnamon, and woody oak.
Buy: $42.99
