December 2023 155

Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s are two of the most renowned names in American whiskey, beloved by countless spirit enthusiasts both in the States and abroad. Their widespread acclaim certainly ties them together, yet behind the public image and sales figures, they bear several marked disparities. One represents Kentucky whiskey, while the other originates from Tennessee. Furthermore, one presents itself as bourbon, the other refrains from using such terminology.

This overview explores these distinctions in detail, using personal experience with the brand products to dissect every aspect of what sets Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s apart. In-depth knowledge on their constitution, production methods, aging processes, the full breadth of their offerings, and more. Ultimately, we intend to provide an answer to the primary question: which distillery churns out the superior whiskey.

Find out more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

The history of Jim Beam goes back over 200 years, rendering it nearly as old as the United States itself. In the year 1795, a farmer and grain mill operative named Jacob Beam made the choice to sell the bourbon he crafted from his cultivated corn. The thriving of the distillery persisted, driven by local affection, and by 1820, his son David Beam furthered the enterprise’s expansion. The production of bourbon acquired a more formal, standardized character, involving column stills and charred barrels. Moreover, David Beam capitalized on the budding railroad system to facilitate nationwide whiskey distribution.

Over the next century, the whiskey known as Old Tub grew in popularity, becoming one of the first nationally recognized bourbon brands. The distillery was taken over in 1884 by James “Jim” Beam. Unfortunately, in the 1920s, prohibition had a severe impact on the industry. However, after it was repealed in 1933, Jim Beam quickly rebuilt his distillery and began selling his product as Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon. His son, T. Jeremiah, took charge of the distillery in 1935 and renamed it the Jim B. Beam Distilling Company in honor of his father. By shipping to American troops overseas and focusing on small-batch bourbon, the company played a key role in promoting bourbon globally.

The history of Jack Daniel’s, although starting nearly 70 years later, is equally fascinating. Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was adopted by a preacher and distiller named Dan Call. He learned the craft of whiskey-making from Call and a slave named Nathan “Nearest” Green. Daniel established his distillery while still quite young, with the now-free Nearest as his Head Distiller. After suffering from sepsis for several years, Daniel passed away in 1911, and his nephew Lem Motlow inherited the distillery.

Soon after Motlow took control, prohibition forced the distillery to close. Another closure was brought on by World War II. However, following the war’s end, Jack Daniel’s distillery quickly thrived and gained global recognition, particularly after being endorsed by Frank Sinatra in 1956. The distillery began an association with music that persists today, and has expanded its iconic No. 7 whiskey into several other varieties that have increased its international popularity.

The production process of Jim Beam is meticulous, contributing to its unique flavor profile. It begins with a blend of high-quality ingredients. They are then cooked in Kentucky’s renowned limestone-filtered water, imparting a slightly sweet taste. Jim Beam uses its distinctive yeast strain to ferment the mash bill and begin creating the exquisite spirit. After fermentation, the mixture proceeds to its column stills for distillation.

This method enables an unbroken and steady production mechanism. At approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the vapor parts from the fundamental ingredients, creating the initial indications of a potable liquid. Subsequently, this liquid proceeds into the doubler for a secondary distillation before it finally surfaces just below 160 proof for barreling. Essentially, there’s nothing particularly distinctive about Jim Beam’s whiskey production process. Instead, it dedicates itself to polishing the age-old process to yield a bourbon that can be trusted.

Similar to Jim Beam, the water incorporated into Jack Daniel’s production has significantly been shaped by limestone. In Jack Daniel’s case, it’s sourced from a limestone spring water located within a two-mile deep cavern. The brand purchased the cave along with the surrounding land, primarily because the water contained within was tremendously pure, devoid of any sediment or contaminants. Its distillation process mirrors that of Jim Beam’s, with the exception of one major difference — Jack Daniel’s involves a large copper still, undertaking a single distillation to achieve the final product.

However, the singular aspect of Jack Daniel’s procedure emerges after distillation. Typically termed as the “Lincoln Country Process,” the distillery dispatches its freshly-distilled whiskey through 10 feet of custom-designed charcoal, made from whiskey-soaked sugar maple. Powered by gravity, this method spans 3-5 days and significantly contributes to the mellowing and smoothness characteristic to Jack Daniel’s. Its use of exclusive water and charcoal results in a whiskey that’s unrepeatable.

In reference to the primary ingredients, these two whiskey brands are astonishingly identical. Both employ a mix of corn, rye, and barley in their mash bill. The corn content is significantly high for both, with Jim Beam incorporating 75% corn and Jack Daniel’s 80%. The usage of the other two ingredients by Jim Beam is nearly equal, with rye at 13% and barley at 12%. Fascinatingly, Jack Daniel’s uses the same proportion of barley but owing to the larger corn amount, the rye utilization reduces to just 8%. For a few of its other brands like Old GrandDad and Basil Hayden’s, Jim Beam significantly ups the rye content with a mash bill of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% barley.

The core attributes of the two distilleries’ expressions are very alike, making one infer that their whiskeys would have similar flavors. Nevertheless, bourbon’s taste depends on numerous aspects, and as noted, their methods vary widely. These differences result in Jim Beam having a robust, spicy profile, and Jack Daniel’s a calm, sweet one. Even with its substantial corn content, Jack Daniel’s meets the criteria to be termed bourbon. However, it doesn’t appreciate being referred to as one even if it technically is!

The crucial determinant of the final taste of whiskey is the ageing and storage process of the spirit. Both distilleries maintain traditional methods, yet differences in their approaches result in unique characteristics. For Jim Beam, their whiskey is placed into new American White Oak barrels which have undergone a level-4 charring. This level of charring caramelizes the wood sugars, adding a sweeter flavor to the bourbon and reducing the tannin amount, which if not controlled can add an intense oak taste to the final product. The concluding step involves placing the barrels into one of their rackhouses; Beam Suntory, Jim Beam’s owner, boasts an astounding 112 rackhouses in Kentucky.

Similar to Jim Beam, along with most American whiskey brands, Jack Daniel’s also utilizes American White Oak barrels. These barrels too are charred and used once before they get sold. The distillery uses barrelhouses for storing whiskey, with 92 such facilities under their belt. Since the whiskey is stored at different levels, it isn’t kept for a set time but bottled when it meets Master Taster’s quality expectations. These subtle differences in aging methods add distinct flavors to Jim Beam and Jack Daniels’ whiskeys, reflecting the effect of craftsmanship and regional traditions on the final product.

Both brands presently offer a broad variety of expressions, like flavoured whiskey, liqueurs, mature-aged whiskey, and cask-strength products. Nevertheless, their most renowned expressions are iconic signature products. Jim Beam’s most famous expression is its Kentucky Straight Bourbon, fondly known as the “White Label.” It’s recognized for a classic bourbon flavor and serves as an effective introduction to Jim Beam bourbon before sampling more popular expressions like Devil’s Cut and Red Stag.

Jack Daniel’s is additionally recognized for a significantly famed expression. Its Old No. 7 is known around the world. Often referred to as “Black Label,” it is considered the foundation of the brand and emerged as a cultural symbol. This Tennessee whiskey is recognized for its smoothness, achieved due to the distinctive charcoal mellowing procedure. The slightly sugary and mellow outline of Old No. 7 is associated with Jack Daniels. Other versions, such as Gentleman Jack, are hugely popular, but they do not compete with the celebrity status of Old No. 7. While they are not the only ones, Jim Beam White Label and Jack Daniel’s Black Label are ideal to illustrate the disparities between these phenomenal whiskey manufacturers.

A journey into these two brands must begin with their most recognized versions. However, it is notable that James B. Beam Distilling Company also owns several other bourbon brands, like Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, and Old Grand-Dad. Even though they are worth checking out, the focus here is on the types under the Jim Beam brand. A commonality between both Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam is a wide range of flavored whiskey. For instance, Jim Beam offers apple, vanilla, honey, and black cherry flavors (the latter known as Red Stag). In contrast, Jack Daniel’s offers honey and apple. Both brands even produce a “Fire” whiskey for cinnamon enthusiasts.

Both brands have a single-barrel whiskey, further emphasizing their similarities. Jim Beam’s version is bottled at 108 proof, while Jack Daniel’s has four different versions: Select, Rye, Barrel Strength, and 100 Proof. While Jack Daniel’s offers a single-barrel version, both distilleries also manufacture a regular high-rye whiskey. In addition to their current offerings, both distilleries offer a great range of limited editions, such as Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Series and its age-statement whiskeys. Some excellent offerings from Jim Beam include the twice barreled Double Oak and the extra aged Black. Exploring these options is a fantastic way to understand how whiskey flavors vary with different flavor additions, barreling, and maturation.

Although these two brands offer a wide range of expressions, both have characteristic flavor profiles present in almost all their whiskeys. For example, Jim Beam’s flavor epitomizes its bourbon lineage. The White Label features classic bourbon tasting notes such as vanilla, caramel, and spice. This acts as a benchmark for the brand, and these flavors, combined with its oaky undertones, can be found within all its varieties. The White Label is an excellent starting point for individuals who wish to understand what bourbon should taste like, before expanding to its other varieties.

Jack Daniels, a renowned Tennessee whiskey, boasts a smooth and subtly sweet flavor, accredited to the Lincoln County Process that it undergoes. This imparts the spirit with the balanced mix of sweet corn, charismatic oak, and a splash of fruitiness. The addition of charcoal has a mild accent of smokiness to it. Those willing to delve deeper into these flavor notes, but in a more upscale and meticulously crafted bottle, can opt for the single-barrel offering from both Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. While both are harmonized by distinct notes of vanilla and caramel, a sophistication of subtlety sets the two apart.

American whiskey brands like Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s enjoy an enviable popularity that many other alcohol brands only dream of. The influence of these giants stretches beyond the whiskey connoisseurs, deeply interwoven with the American spirit. Jim Beam, with its rich heritage dating back to the 18^th century, is eternally synonymous with bourbon tradition. Its impact has been substantial, from marking its presence in country music to linking itself with the Kentucky Derby, Jim Beam is an integral part of American culture.

On the other hand, Jack Daniel’s elevates this aura of cultural influence. Backed by a worldwide following and associating itself with Rock ‘N’ Roll legends with its trademark black label, this brand’s influence has been a staple at concerts and festivals for years. Its logo can commonly be seen adorning stages, merchandise, and especially, clothing. It is beyond doubt that both distilleries have surpassed traditional spirit boundaries, having a profound influence on popular culture. Along with contributing undeniable coolness to whiskey, the brands have positively influenced the whiskey industry as a whole.

When analysing Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel’s, it is clear that the price and accessibility of each brand have greatly attributed to their success. Jim Beam, known for excellent value for money, offers an array of bourbons covering various price points. The affordability of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon has brought a piece of Kentucky craftsmanship to every household and bar without stretching their budget. It is fair to claim that finding a better bourbon at the same price point as Jim Beam’s White Label is next to impossible.

In contrast, Jack Daniel’s falls into a slightly higher price bracket than Jim Beam for its entry-level expressions. Crucially though, Jack Daniel’s is still highly affordable and is usually cheaper than many other popular whiskey brands like Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark, and Woodford Reserve. This means these brands have whiskeys that are low-cost and highly accessible, making both a great place to start if you want to try whiskey. However, if you’re on a low budget and trying to decide between these two brands, Jim Beam is the winner.

The comparison between Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam often boils down to personal preference. Both are iconic whiskey brands but if you have their expressions side-by-side, you’ll soon see the distinct characteristics that set these two apart. We would say that whiskeys from Jack Daniel’s are better if you want a smooth and mellow flavor. The flagship Old No. 7 is a great example of that, but all of its whiskeys are easy to drink, which helps to make it popular with casual whiskey drinkers. Many people would swear that Jack makes the better whiskey, whether that’s sipping or in cocktails like a whiskey sour.

However, bourbon lovers would heartily disagree. Jim Beam is a quintessential bourbon, and if you crave its rich and robust flavor profile, it could be the drink for you. It’s made traditionally and is a great entry point if you want to start exploring bourbon. Ultimately, having a glass of both is the best way to decide. And once you try the iconic White and Black Label bottles, you can enjoy further exploring the huge range of expressions these two distilleries offer.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Before your next Daiquiri is made, ensure you have the appropriate rum.

This piece of insight comes directly from Copalli Rum.

A different morning experience awaited me last month in the southern Belize rainforest where I began my day by harvesting two diverse kinds of organic sugar cane with a machete. This was not a typical Tuesday kick-start but was incredibly informative.

These sugar canes were not easy to differentiate at first sight. Their height was taller than me and they shared similar woody exteriors like bamboo. However, when we cut into them, sliced a six-inch piece and started chewing, their unique traits were utterly pronounced. The black cane was richer in sweetness, with an essence of caramel accompanied by blackberry and plum undertones. Contrastingly, the red cane had a less robust sweetness, but its taste lingered longer, bringing to mind flavors of honeydew. This revealed the hidden intricacies of the world of rum right from its creation phase.

Related: Love a Daiquiri? Here are 15 Rum Drinks To Try Next

I was in Belize to learn more about Copalli Rum, a relatively young brand that is growing its footprint in the United States, and has had a tremendously positive impact on Southern Belize already. They’ve preserved more than 13,000 acres of rainforest there, grow their cane organically, operate a zero-impact distillery for their agricole-style rums, and invest heavily in programs for the local community. What surprised me was just how bright a light my time there threw not just on the raw materials that go into top-quality rum, but also on how barrel aging affects the finished product.

Later that day, I sat down with the Copalli team to taste not just their excellent white rum, but also a selection of barrel-aged samples of various ages, in order to explore how wood impacts the final liquid. It was a fascinating experience, and embodied so much of what sets white rum and dark rum apart…as well as why that sort of either-or language is often inadequate to fully describe the impact that aging has on the spirit.

“Aging adds amazing complexity to rum, but timing is everything,” explained master distiller Eligio Rivas Fromherz. “As with other spirits, there is seasonality and artistry to aging. Aging adds and enhances rum’s natural flavor notes, taking on characteristics of the wood: The oakiness, caramels, vanillas, and of course color. Over time, the wood has less impact, and the rum starts developing an enhanced sweetness of its own.”

Related: Black Manhattan

But rum (like whiskey) doesn’t age in a smooth, predictable progression. “Often, you’ll find peaks and valleys in the aging process where the balance imparted by the aging hits your palate right or, quite frankly, takes on an unpleasant sharpness,” Rivas Fromherz continued. “More important than the age of the rum is the timing the master distiller uses in the process, the timing and technique of moving rum from the barrels in the precise moment where the balance between the base rum, barrel flavors, and a soft sweetness peak.”

I found this out for myself during the tasting that afternoon: The differences between the white rum and the two-, three-, four-, and five-year samples were significant, and the interplay between the spirit and the wood didn’t appear to be happening at a constant rate. Deciding when to end the barrel aging requires a deft hand and constant tasting on the part of the master distiller. It also highlighted the external factors that affect aging rum.

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.

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Going purely on instinct, you likely wouldn’t consider using

vodka, a decidedly un-Italian spirit, in a pasta recipe. Yet somehow, these two seemingly disparate ingredients have been working hand-in-hand in penne alla vodka since it became popular in the 1970s and 1980s. However, many people wonder about the role vodka plays in this popular pasta sauce.

As it turns out, vodka lends something critical to the sauce. Chef Stephen Cusato, a social media star, elaborates on the role of vodka in his popular YouTube channel. Cusato credits Harold McGee, a prominent food science writer who addressed the topic in his book “On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen”.

“If you simply add vodka to a dish, it can overpower it,” Cusato explained. “However, much like other ingredients, when you reduce vodka down, it’s going to enhance flavors that weren’t as prominent before, interacting with the tomatoes to underscore their taste”. In essence, vodka fortifies the flavors from components such as tomatoes. Interesting. But there’s even more to know about the science behind penne alla vodka.

Read more: The Ultimate Vodka Brands, Ranked

There are two reasons why adding vodka can elevate your creamy tomato pasta sauce. First is that it acts as an emulsifier to smoothly combine the acidity of the tomatoes with the rich, fatty cream, which may otherwise separate when used together. Adding the spirit helps achieve the perfectly creamy texture of vodka sauce. At this point, you might be wondering whether other types of alcohol could be used for this purpose. While the answer is yes, vodka has a distinct advantage over other kinds when used in this application, as it has the least distinctive flavor profile.

The second reason is that when vodka is added in small amounts, the alcohol is known to unleash a bouquet of flavors in the tomatoes that often remain untapped. It is key to remember that smaller is better in this instance, as pointed out by Chef Stephen Cusato in his tutorial. So be sure not to overdo it with the vodka.

Chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt tested out various ways to incorporate vodka in vodka cream sauce to find the most delicious way possible. He tested versions of the sauce that ranged from 4% to 1% ABV (alcohol by volume), and he tried tasting the sauce at different points in the cooking process. He concluded in Serious Eats: “For the tastiest vodka sauce, add ¼ cup vodka per quart of sauce and let it simmer seven minutes.” Otherwise, the alcohol hasn’t dissipated and tastes too strong. Another tip recommended by chef Stephen Cusato in the YouTube video is to make sure you first reduce the tomatoes until they are highly concentrated (which takes about 30 minutes).

So while vodka does indeed add something to the sauce, keep in mind the most important rules: Don’t use too much, and let it cook long enough to develop the flavors and dissipate the alcohol.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

When it comes to American whiskey, no two brands are more iconic than Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s. Both enjoy a sizable market share, enjoyed by millions of Americans and spirit lovers worldwide. The popularity of these two brands is one similarity between them, but away from the sales and reputation, there are some significant differences. One is Kentucky whiskey, while the other hails from Tennessee. One markets itself as bourbon, while the other shies away from using such a label.

These are just two of the many differences between these iconic whiskeys. Here, we’ll delve into every aspect of what makes Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s distinct from each other. To do this, we’ll use our own experience with the lineups of each brand to give you all the information you’re looking for. Along the way, we’ll also look at the mash bills, distillation process, aging techniques, range of expressions, and much more. Ultimately, we’ll answer the key question of which distillery makes the better whiskey.

Read more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

The story of Jim Beam starts over two centuries ago, making it almost as old as America itself. Back in 1795, a farmer and grain mill operator named Jacob Beam decided to sell the bourbon he made from the corn he’d been growing. The distillery’s growth continued due to local popularity, and in 1820, his son David Beam helped the company progress. The bourbon-making process became more professional and standardized using column stills and charred barrels. David Beam also used the new railroad to help distribute his whiskey nationwide.

Over the next century, the whiskey (sold under the name Old Tub) continued increasing in popularity as one of the first nationally recognized bourbon brands. In 1884, James “Jim” Beam took over the distillery. However, not long after the 20^th century came along, prohibition hit the industry hard in 1920. Once prohibition was repealed in 1933, Jim Beam quickly rebuilt the distillery and started selling his bourbon under the name of Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon. His son, T. Jeremiah, took over the distillery in 1935 and, in honor of his father, renamed the distillery the Jim B. Beam Distilling Company. Through innovative ideas such as shipping to American troops overseas and focusing on small-batch bourbon, the company played a pivotal role in the rising global popularity of this fine spirit.

The story of Jack Daniel’s starts nearly 70 years after that of Jim Beam but it’s no less interesting. Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was taken in by a preacher and distiller named Dan Call when he was just a teenager. Under Call and an enslaved man named Nathan “Nearest” Green, Daniel learned the art of whiskey-making. Still a young man (his exact birthdate is unknown), Daniel officially founded his distillery and employed the now-freed Nearest as his Head Distiller. After suffering from sepsis for many years, Daniel eventually passed away in 1911, leaving the distillery to Lem Motlow, his nephew.

Of course, not long after Motlow took over, the distillery had to close down due to prohibition. However, it wasn’t the only time Jack Daniel’s needed to close its doors as World War II also led to a halt in production. After the end of the war, the distillery soon flourished, and soared to new heights after an endorsement by Frank Sinatra in 1956. It started an association with music that still thrives to this day. In modern times, Jack Daniel’s has built on its iconic No. 7 whiskey and created plenty of other varieties that have further added to its global appeal.

Jim Beam has a meticulous production process that contributes to its distinctive flavor profile. It all starts with a mix of high-quality ingredients that meet the brand’s high standards. These ingredients are then cooked in Kentucky’s famous limestone-filtered water that helps give it that slightly sweet taste. Jim Beam uses its unique yeast strain to ferment the mash bill and starts to create that fine spirit. After fermentation, the mix is sent to its column stills to distill the bourbon.

The creation process of this whiskey allows for constant and streamlined production. When it reaches approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the vapor detaches from the primary ingredients, hinting towards a consumable fluid. Subsequently, this liquid enters the doubler for another distillation round, and ultimately emerges as a slightly less than 160 proof ready for barreling. Honestly, there is nothing particularly exclusive about Jim Beam’s whiskey production method. Their commitment lies in mastering an ancient process to generate reliable bourbon.

Similar to Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s water, significantly impacted by limestone. In Jack Daniel’s instance, the water is sourced from limestone spring water located two miles underground in a cave. The company purchased the cave and surrounding land because of the extremely pure water, devoid of sediment or impurities. Its distillation procedure closely replicates Jim Beam’s, but with a significant difference – Jack Daniel’s uses a large copper still and distills its spirit only once to reach the final product.

Nonetheless, the most distinctive factor in the Jack Daniel’s process is what occurs after distillation. Widely referred to as the “Lincoln Country Process,” the distillery directs its freshly prepared whiskey through 10 feet of specific charcoal made from sugar maple soaked in whiskey. Powered by gravity, this step takes about 3-5 days and is highly instrumental in the distinctive mellowing and smoothness associated with Jack Daniel’s. Their unique utilization of water and charcoal results in a whiskey that’s unmatchable.

When it comes to raw material, these two whiskeys share remarkable similarities. Both use a mix of corn, rye, and barley in their mash bill. Corn constitutes a substantial percentage for both brands, Jim Beam with 75% and Jack Daniel’s with 80%. Jim Beam’s usage of the other two ingredients is nearly equal, with 13% rye and 12% barley. Interestingly, Jack Daniel’s maintains the same barley percentage but due to the higher corn level, the rye usage is only 8%. For some of its other brands, like Old GrandDad and Basil Hayden’s, Jim Beam uses much more rye in the mash bill of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% barley.

The fundamental expressions of the two distilleries apparently share similar mash bills, thus one could easily expect these two whiskeys to have comparable flavor. Nonetheless, numerous contributing factors affect the taste of bourbon. It’s been demonstrated that their brewing processes differ significantly. This results in Jim Beam exhibiting a strong, spicy flavor profile, contrasted by Jack Daniel’s more demure, sweet side. Interestingly, Jack Daniel’s qualifies for the bourbon label due to its high corn content, but the distillery prefers not to classify it as such, despite it being technically so!

A major element affecting the final taste of whiskey is the method of storage and aging of the spirit. Both distilleries employ traditional techniques, yet even slight differences in their respective practices lead to unique flavor profiles. Jim Beam’s bourbon is stored in new American White Oak barrels that have been charred to level 4. This degree of charring caramelizes the sugars in the wood thus adding a sweet hint to the bourbon, while concurrently lessening the impact of tannins. Excess tannin can impart a strong oak taste to the final product.The next step in the process is shifting the barrels to one of their rackhouses, and Beam Suntory, the owner of Jim Beam, boasts an impressive 112 of these in Kentucky.

Similar to Jim Beam (as well as most American whiskey brands), Jack Daniel’s utilizes American White Oak to make its barrels. These barrels too undergo charring and are used just once before they are sold on. For storage, Jack Daniel’s uses barrelhouses, and while not quite matching Jim Beam’s number, they have a laudable 92 of these buildings. The whiskey is kept at variable levels and unlike most distilleries, it’s not stored for a predefined time. It is instead bottled only when the Master Taster declares it to be up to the mark. This difference in aging techniques tends to set afar the flavors on Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s, emphasizing the influence of craftsmanship and location-based traditions on the resultant product.

Both distilleries today offer a vast array of expressions, encompassing flavored whiskey, liqueurs, mature-aged whiskey and cask-strength variants. However, both have developed their fame predominantly based on specific signature products. Jim Beam is primarily known for its Kentucky Straight Bourbon, endearingly referred to as the “White Label.” Its quintessential bourbon flavor makes it a superb starting point before branching out to other well-liked expressions like Devil’s Cut and Red Stag.

Unquestionably, Jack Daniel’s has a highly celebrated product. Its Old No. 7 is recognized globally. Commonly also referred to as “Black Label,” it forms the backbone of the brand and has evolved into a cultural symbol. This Tennessee whiskey is prized for its smoothness, a result of the unique charcoal mellowing process. The mildly sweet and soft flavor of Old No. 7 has become inseparable from Jack Daniels. While other products like Gentleman Jack also boast considerable popularity, they don’t quite match the legacy of Old No. 7.

Learning about these two brands necessarily begins with their most famed products. However, there’s much more beyond this. It’s important to realize that James B. Beam Distilling Company also manages several other bourbon labels, such as Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, and Old Grand-Dad. Both Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam also produce an extensive selection of flavored whiskeys. For example, Jim Beam offers apple, vanilla, honey, and black cherry flavors, while Jack Daniel’s serves honey and apple.

Other commonalities between the two include the making of a single-barrel whiskey. Jim Beam’s version is bottled at 108 proof, while Jack Daniel’s offers Select, Rye, Barrel Strength, and 100 Proof versions. Despite Jack Daniel’s single-barrel option, both distilleries produce traditional high-rye whiskey. Then of course there are a host of limited editions to explore from both, such as Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Series, and many more.

Despite the wide array of products, both brands maintain distinct flavor signatures across almost all whiskeys. Jim Beam’s flavor ideally symbolizes its bourbon inheritance. The flagship White Label presents a remarkable blend of standard bourbon tasting notes including vanilla, caramel, and spice. These flavors, along with an oaky undertone, permeate its entire product range.

Jack Daniels, a Tennessee whiskey, stands its ground with its smoother and sweeter flavor profile, compared with other brands. The Lincoln County Process contributes significantly to this, imparting a balanced blend of sweet corn, mellow oak, and a hint of fruitiness to the spirit. The addition of the charcoal brings in a subtle smokiness, enhancing the flavor profile. The single-barrel offering from all distilleries is ideal for those interested in exploring these tasting notes in a higher-quality, expertly-crafted bottle. Both brands showcase common flavor notes like vanilla and caramel, but they also harbor numerous distinguishing nuances.

Popular American whiskey brands, such as Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s, eclipses many other alcohol brands in terms of fame. The influence they hold over whiskey aficionados extends into the cultural fabric of American spirits. For instance, Jim Beam has added flavors to its heritage from as far back as the 18^th century. The brand’s association with the bourbon tradition has served to engrain its image into American culture, be it through its presence in country music or its association with the Kentucky Derby.

In a similar vein, the influence of Jack Daniel’s extends beyond national borders. The brand boasts a global following and an established association with rock and roll legends, thanks in part to its iconic black label. This influence has cemented its position at concerts and festivals, as its logo adorns stages, merchandise, and clothing alike. Both distilleries have thus transcended the traditional confines of a spirit by contributing to the popular culture in ways unimaginable. These brands have played a role in making whiskey “cool,” positively affecting the whiskey industry in the process.

The brands Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s are synonymous with quality and accessibility, both these factors have driven their success considerably. Jim Beam offers a broad portfolio of bourbons at different price points, known especially for their value for money. The Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an affordable entry-level option, offering anyone the chance to experience Kentucky craftsmanship without any financial strains. This affordability makes Jim Beam a regular fixture in numerous households and bars. Finding a better bourbon at this price point could prove to be a daunting task.

Jack Daniel’s is typically priced slightly higher than Jim Beam for entry-level variants. However, it’s still quite affordable and usually costs less than other well-known whiskey brands like Wild Turkey, Maker’s Mark, and Woodford Reserve. This affordability makes these whiskey brands accessible and excellent starting points for those new to whiskey. But, if budget is a consideration, Jim Beam comes out ahead.

When comparing Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam, personal taste is often the deciding factor. Both are renowned whiskey brands, and a side-by-side tasting will reveal their unique characteristics. Jack Daniel’s is the go-to if you prefer smooth, mellow flavors. The flagship Old No. 7 exemplifies this, but all Jack Daniel’s whiskeys are easy to drink – a trait that makes them popular with casual drinkers. Many regard Jack’s as superior, whether for sipping neat or mixing in cocktails like a whiskey sour.

Bourbon aficionados, however, are likely to disagree. As a quintessential bourbon, Jim Beam, with its rich, robust flavors, may be more to their liking. It’s a traditional bourbon and an excellent starting point for those wanting to explore this type of whiskey. The best approach is to try both and see which you prefer. After you’ve sampled the iconic White and Black Label bottles, you’re free to explore the wide range of expressions each distillery has to offer.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Before you make your next Daiquiri, make sure you’re using the right rum.

Mention of Copalli Rum

One morning last month, in the rainforest of southern Belize, I began my day by harvesting two different types of organic sugar cane with a machete — an unconventional but enlightening start to a Tuesday.

My initial impression was that the two types of cane were hard to tell apart. Both were taller than me and bore a resemblance to bamboo with their woody appearances. However, their distinct flavors revealed themselves once we cut them open, took a six-inch piece, and started to chew. The black cane had a sweeter flavor with undertones of caramel, blackberries, and plums. Conversely, the red cane was less intense but lingered longer on the palate, hinting at a taste like honeydew. This experience truly underscored the complexity of rum from the earliest stages of its production process.

Related: Love a Daiquiri? Here are 15 Rum Drinks To Try Next

I was in Belize to learn more about Copalli Rum, a relatively young brand that is growing its footprint in the United States, and has had a tremendously positive impact on Southern Belize already. They’ve preserved more than 13,000 acres of rainforest there, grow their cane organically, operate a zero-impact distillery for their agricole-style rums, and invest heavily in programs for the local community. What surprised me was just how bright a light my time there threw not just on the raw materials that go into top-quality rum, but also on how barrel aging affects the finished product.

Later that day, I sat down with the Copalli team to taste not just their excellent white rum, but also a selection of barrel-aged samples of various ages, in order to explore how wood impacts the final liquid. It was a fascinating experience, and embodied so much of what sets white rum and dark rum apart…as well as why that sort of either-or language is often inadequate to fully describe the impact that aging has on the spirit.

“Aging adds amazing complexity to rum, but timing is everything,” explained master distiller Eligio Rivas Fromherz. “As with other spirits, there is seasonality and artistry to aging. Aging adds and enhances rum’s natural flavor notes, taking on characteristics of the wood: The oakiness, caramels, vanillas, and of course color. Over time, the wood has less impact, and the rum starts developing an enhanced sweetness of its own.”

Related: Black Manhattan

But rum (like whiskey) doesn’t age in a smooth, predictable progression. “Often, you’ll find peaks and valleys in the aging process where the balance imparted by the aging hits your palate right or, quite frankly, takes on an unpleasant sharpness,” Rivas Fromherz continued. “More important than the age of the rum is the timing the master distiller uses in the process, the timing and technique of moving rum from the barrels in the precise moment where the balance between the base rum, barrel flavors, and a soft sweetness peak.”

I found this out for myself during the tasting that afternoon: The differences between the white rum and the two-, three-, four-, and five-year samples were significant, and the interplay between the spirit and the wood didn’t appear to be happening at a constant rate. Deciding when to end the barrel aging requires a deft hand and constant tasting on the part of the master distiller. It also highlighted the external factors that affect aging rum.

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Stumbras Premium Organic Vodka wins the grand prize at the New York World Spirits Competition this year.

Earlier in the year, a panel of expert judges gathered at a nondescript hotel convention facility in Brooklyn to evaluate across all primary spirit categories. This procedure was part of the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition which in a few editions has already evolved into one of the city’s notable tasting events.

We’ve spent ample time focusing on the top-rated whiskies of that competition. It featured several stunning surprises, all of which are worth investigating if you are into aged spirit. We’re now going to delve into the territory of vodka. But first, we need to confront the elephant in the room: how can one determine excellence in a category designed to be flavorless?

Well, vodka isn’t exactly flavorless. It is commonly equated with neutral grain spirits, but this is a gross oversimplification. And an outdated one. Vodka doesn’t even have to originate from grain. It can be distilled from vegetables, fruits, honey, starches—we’ve witnessed persuasive instances come from a variety of base ingredients. And it certainly doesn’t have to be neutral in taste or scent. If you’re skeptical about this, you might consider trying the very expression that the New York Wine & Spirits Competition named the best of 2023: Stumbras Premium Organic Vodka.

The first organic vodka to ever come out of Lithuania is crafted according to strict parameters of production. It begins its life as wheat grown on an organic farm, deep in the heart of the Baltic nation. After distillation, the liquid passes through a proprietary linen-based filtration. This process is said to imbue the vodka with its notable smoothness and subtle viscosity.

You can debate whether or not there’s some element of gimmick to be found there. But what’s certain is that the wheat at its core imparts a pleasing sweetness upon the palate. It carries through, into the aftertaste, where you’re left to ponder the lingering nuance of this flavor. Yes, flavor—in vodka.

And, to be clear, we’re not talking about flavored vodka. In fact, Stumbras specializes in one of those as well. Namely, a cranberry variant, which was also recognized by the judges in New York for its exceptional bitter notes. The company has the craft pretty well dialed-in after over 115 years of getting the job done.

You can find its award-winning organic expression on American shelves rather easily, priced at around $20 per bottle. The aforementioned subtleties of its tasting profile marks it as a natural fit against tonic or soda, served over rocks. Especially if you’re going to add lemon or lime into the mix, with the tart and bitter elements of citrus balancing out all things sweet from the wheat in the vodka.

Or do the unthinkable: try the 80-proof spirit neat. Maybe you’ll be able to call out some of the same grassy aromatics in the liquid that won over those contest judges back in Brooklyn. Perhaps you, too, will call it one of the more interesting vodka on shelves today. But what you won’t be able to do is call it flavorless.

LITHUANIA – NOVEMBER 25: Mill, Open air ethnographic museum, Rumsiskes, Dzukija, Lithuania. (Photo …[+] by DeAgostini/Getty Images)