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, loved by millions of Americans and spirit enthusiasts all over the world. The fame of these two brands is one similarity between them, but beyond the sales and reputation, there are significant variances. One is a Kentucky whiskey, while the other originates from Tennessee. One markets itself as bourbon, while the other avoids such a label.

These are just a couple of the many differences between these iconic whiskeys. Here, we’ll examine every detail that makes Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s distinct from each other. To do this, we’ll apply our own experience with each brand’s lineup to present you with all the information you need. Along the way, we’ll also consider the mash bills, distillation method, aging techniques, array of expressions, and much more. Ultimately answering the main question: Which distillery produces the better whiskey?

Read more: The 25 Best Bourbon Brands, Ranked

The tale 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 cultivating. The distillery expanded due to local popularity, and in 1820, his son David Beam assisted the company in progressing. The bourbon-making process became more professional and standardized using column stills and charred barrels. David Beam also harnessed the new railway to 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 Once prohibition was repealed in 1933, Jim Beam quickly rebuilt the distillery and started selling his bourbon under the name of Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon.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.

This method allows for a continuous and consistent production process. At around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the vapor will separate from the base ingredients, giving the first signs of a drinkable liquid. Following this, the liquid is sent into the doubler for a second distillation before it eventually comes out just under 160 proof to be barreled. In truth, there is nothing especially unique about how Jim Beam produces its whiskey. Instead, it has a commitment to perfecting the age-old process to produce a bourbon you can rely on.

As with Jim Beam, the water used to make Jack Daniel’s has been significantly influenced by limestone. In the case of Jack Daniel’s it comes from limestone spring water in a cave that sits two miles underground. The brand bought the cave and its surrounding land, mainly because the water inside was incredibly pure, without any sediment or impurities. Its distillation process is similar to Jim Beam’s but with one big difference — Jack Daniel’s uses a large copper still, distilling its spirit just once to get the final product.

However, the most unique aspect of the Jack Daniel’s process is what happens after distillation. Commonly called the “Lincoln Country Process,” the distillery sends its newly-created whiskey through 10 feet of bespoke charcoal, created from whiskey-doused sugar maple. Powered by gravity, this process takes 3-5 days and plays a hugely significant role in the mellowing and smoothness associated with Jack Daniel’s. Its use of its own water and charcoal results in a whiskey that’s impossible to replicate.

In terms of their raw ingredients, these two whiskeys are remarkably similar. Both use a combination of corn, rye, and barley in the mash bill. The corn is a high percentage for both brands, with Jim Beam using 75% corn and Jack Daniel’s 80%. Jim Beam’s use of the other two ingredients is almost equal, with rye at 13% and barley at 12%. Interestingly, Jack Daniel’s uses the same percentage of barley but due to the higher level of corn, the use of rye is at just 8%. For a few of its other brands, such as Old GrandDad and Basil Hayden’s, Jim Beam uses much more rye with a mash bill of 63% corn, 27% rye, and 10% barley.

The core expressions of two distilleries have similar mash bills, making one think they would taste alike. Yet, the taste of bourbon is influenced by many factors, leading to differences in flavor. Jim Beam has a more robust and spicy profile, whereas Jack Daniel’s is smoother and sweeter. Interestingly, Jack Daniel’s, due to its high corn content, complies with all the legal prerequisites to be termed as bourbon. However, it doesn’t fancy being referred to as one despite being technically classified as so.

A critical determinant of whiskey’s final taste is the way it is stored and aged. Both distilleries follow traditional methods, yet certain distinctions in their processes result in unique profiles. At Jim Beam, the whiskey is poured into new American White Oak barrels that have been subjected to level-4 charring. This charring helps sugar caramelization within the wood, imparting a sweeter flavor to the bourbon. Next, it reduces the tannin level, thus curbing an overly oaky taste in the final creation. Lastly, the barrels are sent into one of the 112 rackhouses owned by Beam Suntory.

Similarly, Jack Daniel’s uses American White Oak for its handcrafted barrels like Jim Beam (and almost every other American whiskey brand). The barrels are charred and deployed once prior to sale. The distillery stores its whiskey in barrelhouses, 92 to be precise, though not as many as Jim Beam. The whiskey is stored at different levels and not for a specific duration. Rather, it’s bottled when it reaches the expected quality level as per the Master Taster. These subtle differences in aging practices contribute to the distinct flavor profiles of Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s, underscoring the influence of craftsmanship and regional traditions on the final product.

Both brands now feature a wide array of expressions, including flavored whiskey, liqueurs, mature-aged whiskey, and cask-strength products. Despite these diverse offerings, their reputation stands on their iconic signature products. Jim Beam’s most recognized expression is its “White Label” Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Known for having a classic bourbon flavor profile, it serves as an excellent introduction to Jim Beam bourbon before exploring other favorites like Devil’s Cut and Red Stag.

Jack Daniel’s is renowned for a particular expression. Its Old No. 7 is recognized globally. Also known as “Black Label,” it’s a major flagship of the brand and has become a symbol of cultural significance. This Tennessee whiskey is distinguished by its smoothness, which is achieved through a special charcoal mellowing process. The mild and slightly sweet profile of Old No. 7 is synonymous with Jack Daniels. Other expressions such as Gentleman Jack also enjoy a good deal of popularity, but not quite on the same scale as Old No. 7. Jim Beam White Label and Jack Daniel’s Black Label might not be the only expressions from the distillery, but they certainly highlight the differences between these formidable whiskey creators.

Exploring these two brands requires starting from the most famous expressions. Beyond that, there’s much more to discover. Interesting to note, the James B. Beam Distilling Company also owns a variety of other bourbon brands, including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, and Old Grand-Dad. It’s worthwhile to check these out. For this discussion, however, we’ll focus on variants under the Jim Beam brand. Both Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam have a broad selection of flavored whiskey. Jim Beam offers apple, vanilla, honey, and black cherry (under the Red Stag brand), while Jack Daniel’s features honey and apple. In addition to these expressions, both manufacturers produce a “Fire” whiskey for those who love the taste of cinnamon.

Each brand also offers a single-barrel whiskey. Jim Beam’s version is bottled at 108 proof while Jack Daniel’s boasts four versions: Select, Rye, Barrel Strength, and 100 Proof. Despite Jack Daniel’s having a single-barrel version, both distilleries also produce a regular high-rye whiskey. Both distilleries have a fantastic range of limited editions, such as Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Series and age-statement whiskeys. Notably excellent variants from Jim Beam include the Double Oak, which is twice barreled, and the Black, which is extra aged. Exploring these variants provides an opportunity to appreciate how whiskey flavors can be influenced by different flavorings, barreling, and maturation.

Even though both brands provide a wide range of expressions, each has a unique flavor profile that is consistent across almost all of the whiskeys. Jim Beam’s flavor perfectly represents its bourbon lineage. Its flagship White Label presents a perfect blend of classic bourbon tasting notes, including vanilla, caramel, and spice. This sets the standard for the brand with these flavors, in addition to an oaky undertone, present throughout their expressions. For those looking to understand the traditional taste of bourbon, the White Label is a great starting point before moving on to its other variants.

Jack Daniels, a well-known Tennessee whiskey, imparts a smoother and subtly sweeter flavor palette. The primary contributor to this is the Lincoln County Process, which balances the spirit’s sweet corn, mellow oak, and a hint of fruitiness. Alongside this, traces of smokiness are added by the charcoal. Both distilleries’ single-barrel offerings are excellent choices for those who wish to delve further into these tasting notes with a higher quality, maturely designed bottle. Even though both brands share core elements such as vanilla and caramel notes, there are enough subtleties that make each one unique.

These American whiskey brands, namely Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s, have achieved an influence and popularity that most liquor brands only dream of. Their influence extends beyond whiskey aficionados and ingrains itself deeply within the native American spirit. As we’ve pointed out, Jim Beam boasts a legacy that extends back to the 18^th century. The brand has become a Bourbon tradition staple throughout this period, causing significant cultural impact. Its frequent association with events like country music and the Kentucky Derby shows that it’s undeniably become a part of American culture.

On the other hand, Jack Daniel’s takes cultural impact to a whole new level. This brand enjoys a global following and has formed strong ties with rock and roll legends, largely thanks to its iconic black label. Its influence has transcended beyond the liquor realm into music concerts and festivals, where its logo is frequently seen on stages, merchandise, and clothing. Indeed, these distilleries have far surpassed the limits of a typical spirit in cultural impact. Their influence in popular culture likely surpassed their initial expectations. They have assisted in making whiskey trendy, which has undoubtedly boosted the overall whiskey industry.

The success of each brand, Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s, has been significantly influenced by the affordability and accessibility. Jim Beam, with its diverse portfolio and multiple price points, appeals to customers by offering an excellent value for money bourbon. Especially the Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon, an entry-level offering, allows people to enjoy Kentucky craftsmanship without the need to spend extravagantly. Because of its affordable pricing, Jim Beam has become a regular feature in many homes and bars. You would be hard-pressed to find a bourbon offering superior quality at the same price as the White Label.

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.