Why is Jack Daniels called sour mash?

The “sour mash” label means that some of the material from a previous distillation (called “backset”) is added to the mash to increase the acidity of the liquid (hence sour), which helps fermentation and reduces the likelihood that bacteria will ruin the whiskey.

Why is it called sour mash?

Sour mash is what it's called for a reason. SOUR is the name given to it because of its similarity to sourdough bread. As a result of using sourdough starter, it bears this name. Like many marketing campaigns, Jack Daniel's is not the only distillery with sour mash.

Is Jack Daniels bourbon or sour mash?

Many people believe that Jack Daniels is an American bourbon. While it has ingredients similar to those found bourbon, it actually is Tennessee sour mash whiskey.

What does sour mash mean in whiskey?

Sour mash (or sourmash) is a process used in the distilling industry that uses material from an older batch of mash to start the fermentation of a new batch, analogous to the making of sourdough bread with a starter.

Is Jack Daniels a sour mash whiskey?

Using a bit of starter is why Jack Daniel's is called a sour mash. The mash ferments for a full six days before being single distilled in a large copper still made to our exact specifications. And rather than double or triple-distillation, we vaporize and condense our whiskey only once.

Jack Daniels - Sour Mash Process 2013

What is the difference between sour mash whiskey and bourbon whiskey?

A whiskey maker makes sour mash whiskey by adding a portion of still-fermenting mash to the new batch of spirits. On the other hand, bourbon uses all new ingredients for each batch. It gives the bourbon a sweeter flavor profile. As a result, bourbon typically has richer color and deeper flavor than sour mash whiskey.

Is all Tennessee whiskey sour mash?

It's also worth noting that virtually all major bourbon and Tennessee whiskey distillers use the sour mash technique, even though only a portion of them actively market their whiskeys as “sour mash.”

Why Jack Daniels is not a bourbon?

The company does not prefer to call it Bourbon whiskey.

Like most Bourbon whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's is produced on American soil. It has a predominantly corn-based mash bill, and is aged in new, charred-Oak barrels for at least two years. These are the legal terms that define a 'straight Bourbon' whiskey.

Is Jim Beam a sour mash?

In contrast to Jim Beam, Jack Daniels is a sour mash whiskey, often referred to as a Tennessee whisky. Jim Beam is a type of bourbon, while Jack Daniels is a bourbon.

Is Maker's Mark a sour mash whiskey?

Most bourbon distillers, including Maker's Mark use a sour mash process. This refers to what the distillers call 'set back' being added to the mash. 'Set back' is the undistilled residue that remains from the previous distillation. The term 'sour mash' is a reference to this acidic, sour tasting set back.

Is Jack Daniels technically a bourbon?

Jack Daniel's chooses not to call itself bourbon, but the historic brand applies for federal label approval under the class of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey is listed as straight bourbon in the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Why is Tennessee whiskey not bourbon?

The primary difference is that Tennessee whiskey must go through a charcoal filtering process, which mellows the whiskey's character. For that reason, bourbon is often bolder and has a more robust flavor.

What makes a bourbon a sour mash?

What Is Sour Mash Whiskey? When you see “Sour Mash” on the label, it means the whiskey was distilled using the sour mashing process. What does that mean? Simply that distillers used part of the fermented “mash” (a mixture of grain, yeast, and water) from the previous batch to create the new batch.

Who invented sour mash?

Scottish chemist Dr James Crow is often credited with pioneering the sour mash process. True or not, the distiller lent his name to one of Bourbon's best-selling brands, and left his mark on a thriving industry, Gavin D. Smith discovers.

Is Evan Williams a sour mash?

“Evan Williams set up his distillery on the banks of the Ohio River in 1783 and is historically recognized as Kentucky's First Distiller of Bourbon. This special Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is a genuine Sour Mash that honors his pioneering heritage.

What is the difference between sweet mash and sour mash?

Sweet mash whiskey does not use any back set in the fermentation process. They cook their grains, add their yeast and let it ferment. The sour mash process is the standard in the industry and it has become so for a reason – there is less that can go wrong in the fermentation process.

What is the difference between Jack Daniels and bourbon?

What Is The Difference Between Jack Daniels And Bourbon? After Tennessee Whiskey is distilled, it is filtered through sugar-maple charcoal, which distinguishes it from Bourbon, such as Jack Daniel's. A place known as Old Bourbon, now part of Bourbon County, Kentucky, is the source of the name Bourbon.

What is the difference between Jack Daniels and Jim Beam?

Jim Beam has a brandy flavor, as if it is mixed with brandy. Jim Beam is classed as bourbon while Jack Daniels is a whiskey and although bourbons can be whiskeys, not all are. Jim Beam is far cheaper compared to Jack Daniels. Jim Beam tastes more alcoholic and fruity while Jack Daniels tastes mellower and smoother.

Is Crown Royal a whiskey or bourbon?

Specifically, Crown Royal is a Canadian whisky, and even though this technically uses a bourbon mashbill (64% corn, 31.5% rye, 4.5% malted barley), bourbon can only be made in America. Though the TTB originally approved the label, they reversed their decision and forced the brand to stop using the name 'Bourbon Mash'.

What is neck pour?

A neck pour refers the very first whisky poured from a bottle. This first pour from the bottle is held by many to be qualitatively different to the rest of the bottle as it has experienced far less oxidisation than subsequent pours will.

What's the difference between whiskey and Jack Daniels?

Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey, so it absolutely is whiskey as well. It's even in the name. Whiskey is just the broadest term for distilled grain that's aged in oak barrels, regardless of factors such as the grains used (e.g., corn, rye, wheat, barley, rice), where it's made, the barrels used, and more.

What is Gentleman Jack whiskey?

Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack is an exceptionally smooth Tennessee whiskey with a rich, rewarding taste and a gentle farewell. Crafted by combining traditional methods with a unique process that's all its own, Gentleman Jack undergoes a second charcoal mellowing to achieve exceptional smoothness.

Is Buffalo Trace sour mash?

Buffalo Trace Sour Mash Bottling Note

Another unique release in Buffalo Trace's Experimental Collection, this Old Fashioned Sour Mash harks back to the days when things took a lot longer. Distilled in 2002, the mash for this expression is allowed to sour before yeast is added to kickstart the fermentation process.

What is the difference between sour mash and rye whiskey?

What'S The Difference Between Rye Whiskey And Sour Mash? In addition, it uses the sour mash process, where the mash is fermented with yeast as well as part of a fermentation that has already occurred. Rye whiskey can only be called rye whiskey if it is at least 51 percent rye.

Is Wild Turkey sour mash?

Once the malted barley is added, we introduce our sour mash - a previously fermented mash that still contains live yeast - to start a new fermentation process. It's the yeast that turns the starch into sugar, giving Wild Turkey its full, rich flavor.