When it comes to popular American whiskey styles, it’s tough to beat the appeal of bourbon whiskey and Tennessee whiskey. While we know these are two distinct whiskey styles, you might be struck by how similar they look and taste. This might make you start scratching your head, wondering why they have different names and what really differentiates the two besides geography.
This brings us to one important question: What exactly is the difference between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey? Why do they have different names?
Bourbon and Tennessee whiskey
I’ve been writing about alcohol for two decades. In that time, I’ve imbibed many glasses of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. I’ve learned that if you were to blindly sip a Tennessee whiskey and a bourbon whiskey of the same quality, you’d be hard-pressed to find many major differences. There are several reasons for this.
Below, we’ll go over the rules and regulations for each. We’ll also take a deep dive into what makes them similar and what sets them apart. Keep scrolling to add to your whiskey knowledge so you can entertain your friends the next time you’re bored at happy hour.
What is bourbon?
Bourbon is referred to as America’s “native spirit”. It’s been distilled since the 1700s, but was declared a “distinctive product of the United States” by the US Congress in 1964.
The rules include strict regulations that bourbon must be made with a mash bill of at least 51% corn (though many have a higher percentage), with secondary grains including rye, wheat, barley, and lesser-known grains. It also must be aged in new, charred oak barrels and have no added colors or flavors.
There are a few more rules, but the most important rule is that to be considered a bourbon whiskey, it must be made in the United States. But here’s where things get a little tricky for some bourbon purists. While 95% of all bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky, it can be made anywhere in the US (including DC and Puerto Rico). Some of the best bourbon is coming out of far-flung places like Washington State, New York, and Texas.
Bourbon is well-known for its aromas and flavors of sweet corn, caramelized sugar, vanilla beans, dried fruit, and charred oak.
What is Tennessee whiskey?
As you may have guessed, Tennessee whiskey begins with a geographical marker. First and foremost, to be considered a Tennessee whiskey, it must be produced in the Volunteer State. But that’s not the only rule. Like bourbon, it must be made with a mash bill of at least 51% corn. It also must be made in new, charred oak barrels. There’s one major difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon, and it isn’t just the state (because bourbon can also be produced in Tennessee). It’s an extra step known as the Lincoln County Process.
All Tennessee whiskeys (except for a few exceptions) are required to use the Lincoln County Process. Also known as charcoal mellowing, distillers filter the unaged spirit through 10 (or more) feet of sugar maple charcoal before the whiskey is matured. The process, which has been a staple of the Tennessee whiskey world since the 1800s, is known to mellow and smooth out the flavor profile while removing impurities.
Tennessee whiskey has a similar flavor palate to bourbon whiskey. It also features caramelized sugar, vanilla, charred oak, dried fruit, brown sugar, sweet corn, and oak flavors and aromas. The difference is that, due to the extra step of charcoal filtering, Tennessee whiskey is sweeter, mellower, and softer on the palate.
The similarities between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey
By name, you’ve likely realized that there are more than enough similarities between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon whiskey. Both must have a mash bill of at least 51% corn. Both are also required to be aged in new, charred oak barrels. Neither requires a minimum age. Although most Tennessee whiskeys are at least 4 years old, those younger than that require an age statement. The same goes for bourbon. If it’s less than 4 years old, it must have an age statement. Also, to be referred to as a straight bourbon, it must be matured for at least 2 years.
The differences between bourbon and Tennessee whiskey
While there are many similarities between bourbon whiskey and Tennessee whiskey, there are also many key differences. As we mentioned earlier, bourbon whiskey (while having its heart in Kentucky) can be made anywhere in the US, but Tennessee whiskey can only be made in the Volunteer State.
Bourbon doesn’t have any extra steps in the production process, while Tennessee whiskey is required to use the Lincoln County Process to charcoal filter its unaged whiskey before adding it to barrels for aging. Lastly, while not evident without a refined palate, the aromas and flavors are slightly different because of the charcoal mellowing process. Bourbon, while sweet from corn, is spicier and fuller-bodied, with heavy notes of vanilla and oak. Tennessee whiskey is very sweet and smooth, leaning into caramelized sugar and fruitier flavors.
