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Debunking Adam Teeter Vinepair Article - Tennessee ≠ Bourbon

So Adam Teeter on Vinepair.com made a case, that Tennessee whisky isn’t Bourbon - due to the charcoal mellowing process.

I have already debunked it before: Is Jack Daniel's a Bourbon Whiskey?

However since then, there is more circumstantial evidence, why Tennessee whisky isn’t an unique “denomination of origin (or simply a official style on its own):


  • As mentioned: It is listed under NAFTA as Bourbon
  • There is no specifications under the TTB
  • Other (official)) Bourbons are using also a similar charcoal mellowing process (e.g. Evan Williams black label).
Now these points are not mentioned in the previous article:
  • At least Prichard’s, one more boutique Tennessee brand, is not using The Lincoln County Process (charcoal mellowing) - yet are officially considered Tennessee whiskey!
    • That takes eradicates the argument, that Tennessee whiskey is a style!
  • Jack Daniel’s also offers now a (Single Barrel) Rye Whiskey. Yeah - they are calling it Tennessee Rye Whiskey - but as previously stated - there is only a law for Straight Rye Whiskey - not one for demographically unique processes!
So here we are again. Tennessee whiskey is American Straight Whiskey - either way Bourbon or Rye (and who knows, maybe JD will make a Straight Wheat in future?). 

Correlation does not imply causation!

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