Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:59 pm
From here.
The major competitor of Jack Daniel's wants to slightly change up the definition of "Tennessee bourbon."
Current law:
Some distillers want to bring used barrels in because they're cheaper.
Competitors, you ask?
Bullshit. This is entirely about Diageo. You may recognize them as a major spirits company that gets a piece of about half of everything you imbibe.
While I can agree a bit with that statement, they're arguing over a goddamned label.
The major competitor of Jack Daniel's wants to slightly change up the definition of "Tennessee bourbon."
Current law:
By law, bourbon must be made of a grain mix of at least 51 percent corn, distilled at less than 160 proof, have no additives except water to reduce the proof and be aged in new, charred white oak barrels.
Some distillers want to bring used barrels in because they're cheaper.
Competitors, you ask?
"This isn't about Diageo, as all of our Tennessee whiskey is made with new oak," said Diageo executive vice president Guy L. Smith IV. "This is about Brown-Forman trying to stifle competition and the entrepreneurial spirit of micro distillers.
Bullshit. This is entirely about Diageo. You may recognize them as a major spirits company that gets a piece of about half of everything you imbibe.
David McMahan, a lobbyist representing Dickel and Popcorn Sutton Distilling, said the law passed last year would require all Tennessee whiskies to taste like Jack Daniel's.
"It's not unlike if the beer guys 25 years ago had said all American beer has to be made like Budweiser," McMahan said. "You never would have a Sam Adams or a Yazoo or any of those guys."
While I can agree a bit with that statement, they're arguing over a goddamned label.