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 Once prohibition was repealed in 1933, Jim Beam quickly rebuilt the distillery and started selling his bourbon under the name of Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon.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.