FOOD NEWS
Jim Beam Vs Jack Daniels: Who Makes The Better Whiskey?
BY KENNY JARVIS
History
In 1795, a farmer and grain mill operator named Jacob Beam sold the bourbon made from leftover corn crops under the name Old Tub.
Nearly 70 years after Jim Beam, Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel was taken in by distiller Dan Call, where he learned whiskey-making. After World War II, the distillery flourished.
Production
Both whiskeys use limestone-filtered water during production, which adds a slightly sweet flavor, but while Jim Beam uses column stills, Jack Daniel's uses copper stills.
Moreover, Jack Daniel's differs due to a process called "Lincoln Country Process," in which the whiskey is filtered through charcoal for three to five days, mellowing it out.
Ingredients
Both brands use high-quality ingredients and similar mashes, with Jim Beam's mash comprising 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley.
Jack Daniel's mash is only slightly different, consisting of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley, and the higher corn content technically makes it a bourbon.
Aging
Aging may be the most significant factor in the whiskies' differing tastes, as Jim Beam whiskey ages in charred oak barrels, adding a sweet flavor.
Jack Daniel's whiskey is aged in charred American White Oak barrels, but instead of aging for a specific time, it's bottled when it reaches the Master Taster's expected quality.
Products
In general, Jim Beam tastes bolder and spicier while Jack Daniel's is mellow and sweet, but both whiskeys display a range of flavors across their many offerings.
While both brands have many offerings, Jim Both is known for its "White Label" Kentucky Straight Bourbon, while Jack Daniel's specialty is its "Black Label" Old No. 7.