Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam are two of the best-known American whiskeys in the world, and both are everyday favourites for highballs and whiskey-and-cola. But they are not even the same category: Jim Beam is a bourbon, while Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey.
This guide compares the two by definition, production, flavour and serve, and helps you decide which one suits you.
The differences at a glance
| Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 | Jim Beam | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Tennessee whiskey | Kentucky bourbon |
| Made in | Lynchburg, Tennessee | Clermont, Kentucky |
| Signature step | Filtered through sugar-maple charcoal before ageing (Lincoln County Process) | Aged at least 4 years in new charred oak |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Flavour | Mellow and sweet; caramel and banana | Light and clean; vanilla, caramel and grain |
| Best for | Highball, with cola, on the rocks | Highball, cocktails, on the rocks |
What is bourbon?
Bourbon is defined by US federal regulations. The key rules are:
- Made in the United States
- A mash of at least 51% corn
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV)
- Aged in new, charred oak containers, entering the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5%)
- Bottled at no less than 80 proof (40%)
The new charred barrel is the big one. Fresh charred oak gives bourbon its rich vanilla and caramel sweetness.
What is Tennessee whiskey?
Tennessee whiskey is American whiskey made in Tennessee. A 2013 state law set its definition: at least 51% corn and ageing in new charred oak, much like bourbon, plus filtering through sugar-maple charcoal before ageing.
That filtering step is known as the Lincoln County Process, and it is the defining feature of the style.
The simplest way to think about it: Tennessee whiskey is bourbon-style whiskey with an extra charcoal-filtering step. Jack Daniel's does not call itself bourbon; it is sold as Tennessee whiskey.
Jack Daniel's
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is made at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee. Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel is said to have registered the distillery in 1866, making it one of the oldest registered distilleries in the United States.
How it's made
- Mash bill: 80% corn, 12% barley, 8% rye
- The new spirit is dripped slowly through about 3 metres (10 feet) of sugar-maple charcoal over 3 to 5 days
- It is then aged in new American white oak barrels
How it tastes
The charcoal mellowing strips out harsher notes, leaving a smooth, sweet whiskey: caramel and vanilla with charred oak and a banana-like sweetness, then toffee, oak and a little spice.
Jim Beam
Jim Beam is a bourbon made at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is based on Jacob Beam's recipe from 1795, and seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in making whiskey. It is said to be the world's best-selling bourbon.
How it's made
- A corn-led mash bill with rye and malted barley
- Aged for at least four years in new charred American white oak
How it tastes
Vanilla, caramel, toasted oak and sweet grain. Medium-bodied, with toffee, light spice and a hint of citrus, and a clean, fairly short finish — light and easy to keep drinking.
Flavour compared
| Jack Daniel's | Jim Beam | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness | Noticeably sweet | Moderately sweet |
| Texture | Round and mellow | Light and clean |
| Aromas | Caramel, banana, charred oak | Vanilla, caramel, grain |
| Finish | Gentle, lingering sweetness | Shorter and crisp |
Neither is smoky, and both are approachable for newer whiskey drinkers. In a word: Jack Daniel's is mellow and sweet; Jim Beam is light and crisp.
How to drink them
Highball
In Japan, the whisky highball — whiskey topped with chilled soda water over plenty of ice — is hugely popular, and both work well. Jack Daniel's gives a sweeter, more aromatic highball; Jim Beam a crisper, more refreshing one. Try roughly 1 part whiskey to 3–4 parts soda.
With cola
Jack Daniel's and cola ("Jack and Coke") is a classic, and its mellow sweetness pairs perfectly with cola.
Cocktails
Jim Beam's clean character and accessible price make it an easy base for ginger ale mixes and cocktails.
On the rocks
If neat feels too strong, start on the rocks. As the ice melts, the sweetness opens up.
Which should you choose?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Like a sweet, mellow taste | Jack Daniel's |
| Want to mix it with cola | Jack Daniel's |
| Prefer a light, crisp highball | Jim Beam |
| Want something easy with food | Jim Beam |
| Need a cocktail base | Jim Beam |
Where to go next
If you want something sweeter and richer, try Maker's Mark, which uses red winter wheat instead of rye for a soft sweetness. If you want more power, try Wild Turkey 8, aged eight years and bottled at 50.5%.
See more in our American whiskey guide and our picks of whiskies for highballs.
Summary
Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam are both American classics, but Jim Beam is a Kentucky bourbon, while Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey filtered through sugar-maple charcoal before ageing. Jack Daniel's tastes mellow and sweet; Jim Beam is light and crisp. Choose Jack Daniel's for sweetness or for mixing with cola, and Jim Beam for a clean highball or an easy-going drink with food.