At any bar in the world Jack Daniel’s is one of the most commonly ordered whiskey and without a doubt the most popular American whiskey brand in the world. The Iconic black and white label is one of the most recognizable labels. Lets not forget that every icon has its fair share of bad times; learn why the most popular American whiskey still cannot be sold in its own birthplace Tennessee.
Jack Daniel’s: Origin and Location
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey (type of American Whiskey) was established in 1875 by Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel. The distillery has been making whiskey for last 145 years and has been a choice of famous personalities like Frank Sinatra, Keith Richards, Eric Church and many more.
The Distillery is situated in Tennessee, Lynchburg. Lynchburg is a tiny town in the county Moore which has a population of around 6000 people. This does not change the fact that more than half a million people visit the distillery every year.
But the problem is they people cannot buy Jack Daniel’s at local shops or even enjoy it at a restaurant as Moore county is a “dry city”; yeah pretty surprising.
Jack Daniel’s: Probation Period
It goes back to 1910, a statewide law of prohibition of distillation was passed. Then master distiller Jess Motlow also the nephew of Jack Daniel challenged the law, went till the supreme court but failed. They tried moving their distillery operations to various other states but it did not work out as the product was loosing consistency.
Jack Daniel took his last breath in 1911. It will be Jess Motlow who will sail the brand through these tough times.
In 1919, a nationwide probation was declared by the government. As the liquor cannot be sold anywhere legally, a whole lot of whisky remained stored in there warehouses in Birmingham, Cincinnati and St.Louis. It was a standstill.
After the nationwide probation was repealed in 1933, Lynchburg decided to keep its probation laws intact. The distillery still remained unopened. It was the efforts to repeal the law by Mr. Motlow, who had become a Tennessee state senator by then. Jack Daniel’s distillery restarted of distillation in 1938.
The conclusion is; even though distillation became legal they have become one of the most popular whiskey brands in the world. They still cannot sell their product in the county.
Jack Daniel’s: Only Place to Buy in Moore
As an exception, the only place where you could buy Jack Daniel’s in the county is at the distillery itself. They are allowed to sell commemorative bottles at the distillery shop called White Rabbit Bottle Shop.
Currently they sell Gentlemen’s Jack, Single Barrel Select and Yes, you can buy also a regular Jack Daniel’s No.7 as well but in a commemorative bottle. If not that, You can even buy a barrel of your choice.
Click here to know about their products, you can even register a bottle for yourself, here
For more interesting whiskey facts, click here
