When most people in the United States hear the word whiskey, they immediately think of Jack Daniels. The history of Jack Daniels whiskey is an important turning point in the US whiskey industry and without it, many would be without their favorite drink. Jack Daniels is one of the most popular whiskies enjoyed in the United States, whether it’s at a restaurant, bar, or for at home.
How the History of Jack Daniels Whiskey was Started
Born in 1850, Jack Daniel began learning how whiskey was made at the age of 7 from a Lutheran minister by the name of Dan Call. Call owned a still on the Louse River of Tennessee and taught Jack everything there was to know about how to make whiskey.
At the age of 13 in 1863, Jack Daniel purchased the still from Dan Call. It is here that the history of Jack Daniels Whiskey truly begins. In 1866, he registered his distillery with the US government in anticipation of taxes. While there were plenty of distilleries running before him and at the same time of his, Jack Daniels is the first whiskey distillery in the United States because it was the first to ever register with the government.
Seven years before his death in 1911, Jack was invited to enter his whiskey into the St Louis State Fair of 1904. There were 20 whiskeys from all over the world, however he learned about it through a friend. Many wondered what a man from Tennessee was doing there, however he proved that he belonged there when they all tasted the amber liquid that he brought with him. As a result, he won the gold medal and Jack Daniels whiskey was labeled “the best whiskey in the world.”
After his death, his nephew Lem Motlow took over. Lem continued the tradition of entering the whiskey into several other competitions around the world, letting the rest of the world know that Jack Daniels whiskey was a force to be reckoned with.
The history of Jack Daniels whiskey started with Jack but didn’t end there. Belgium, London, and Amsterdam quickly learned that the whiskey was gold medal worthy, too. The process of how the whiskey was made has never changed and continues to be a favorite among whiskey drinkers – in Tennessee and beyond.
The History of Jack Daniels Whiskey First-Hand
The best way to truly learn of the history of Jack Daniels whiskey is to see it first-hand. Taking a trip into Tennessee, specifically Lynchburg, will allow you to go to the distillery where all of the magic happens. Every day of the week (except for Sunday), you’ll be able to tour the distillery and see how whiskey is made. The tour will end in the gift shop where you can also make purchases ranging from a bottle of Jack Daniels to t-shirts, key chains and everything in between.
If it wasn’t for the history of Jack Daniels whiskey, you would never be able to enjoy drinks such as the Jack and Coke, Lynchburg Lemonade, and Planter’s Punch – all made from the unique flavor that belongs to Jack Daniels.