You are confused, my friend. New, charred oak barrels are required by federal law for all bourbon whiskey made in this country. Federal Law:
The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5) state that bourbon made for U.S. consumption must be:
Produced in the United States
made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
aged in new, charred oak barrels
distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume)
entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume)and be
bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume).
Almost all whiskey made in Tennessee qualifies by law a straight bourbon. Tennessee law currently requires the use of the Lincoln County process (filtering through charcoal) in order to be labeled Tennessee whiskey. Pritchard’s has an exemption from this law.
As a general statement, Tennessee whiskey is bourbon, but not all bourbon can be called Tennessee whiskey. If you like it, drink it and enjoy.
Tennessee Whiskey is NOT bourbon. Moreover Jack Daniels is the number 1 selling whiskey in America. There is a reason for that. Kentucky can flood the market with hundreds of inferior bourbons but it doesn’t matter. The lincoln county process used by Jack Daniels and George Dickel make Tennessee whiskey the very best.
Btw. Both companies would argue to the death that their whiskeys are NOT bourbon. It is Tennessee sipping whiskey. DICKEL refers to itself as “whisky”
Goof luck Kentucky. You cant beat our whiskey or shine made up on the mountain in east Tennessee.
George Jones wrote a song “You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey....” Merle Haggard used to endorse George Dickel.