🇺🇸 Jack Daniel's distillery

🥃 Lynchburg, Tennessee

The Jack Daniel’s Distillery, founded in 1866 by Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel in Lynchburg, Tennessee, is renowned as the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Jack Daniel learned the craft of distilling from Dan Call and Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved African American who later became his master distiller. Their collaboration was instrumental in developing the unique whiskey that would come to be known globally as Jack Daniel’s.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey is distinguished by its use of the Lincoln County Process, an additional step in production where the whiskey is filtered through layers of sugar maple charcoal before aging. This process imparts a distinctive smoothness to the spirit, setting it apart from bourbon.

Despite being located in Moore County—a dry county where the sale of alcohol is heavily restricted—the distillery operates as a significant tourist destination. It offers various tours that explore the intricate processes of mashing, fermentation, aging, and bottling. Visitors also get a chance to delve into the rich history of the distillery and its founder, and they can purchase commemorative bottles of whiskey.

As one of the best-selling whiskeys in the world, Jack Daniel’s has achieved an iconic status, reflected in its classic square bottles and distinctive black label. The brand, a flagship of the Brown-Forman Corporation, is not only a staple in the spirits and wine business but also a cultural symbol immortalized in songs, movies, and books.

The missing barrel No. 7

The story of Jack Daniel’s missing barrel, often referred to as “Barrel No. 7,” is shrouded in a bit of mystery and folklore. According to some accounts, Jack Daniel once crafted a special batch of his Tennessee whiskey which included a particularly exceptional barrel, supposedly marked as Barrel Number 7. This barrel was noted for its unique flavor profile and superior quality.

Legend has it that this barrel mysteriously disappeared from the distillery, leading to various theories and tales about its fate. Some speculate that it was stolen for its prized contents, while others believe it may have been hidden away by Jack Daniel himself for personal use or as a special reserve.

Over time, the story of Barrel No. 7 has become a part of the lore surrounding the Jack Daniel’s brand, adding to its mystique and charm. Whether the tale is fact or fiction, it underscores the brand’s image as a maker of finely crafted whiskey and adds an element of intrigue to its history.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence or historical records confirming the existence or disappearance of Barrel No. 7, the story continues to captivate fans and whiskey enthusiasts alike, contributing to the legendary status of Jack Daniel’s whiskey.