The story of Jack Daniel’s
Crafting something that endures for over 150 years takes time and character. You’ll find plenty of both in the people and history that make Jack Daniel’s.
OUR FOUNDING
Jasper Newton Daniel, more commonly known as Jack, introduces the world to Old No. 7, his signature charcoal-mellowed Tennessee Whiskey.
1864
Jack leaves home and is taken in by Reverend Dan Call. At the Call family farm, he learns the art of whiskey making from the preacher and an enslaved man named Nathan “Nearest” Green. Jack would later hire Nearest as the Jack Daniel Distillery’s head distiller, what we call the Master Distiller today.
1866
The Jack Daniel Distillery is officially established, making it the very first registered distillery within the US, with Jack as the Master Distiller. The opening of his now-famous distillery would follow shortly thereafter, right next to Jack Daniel’s prime resource: the mineral-rich Cave Spring Hollow.
1904
Old No. 7 takes a gold medal at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s the first of seven gold medals Old No. 7 is awarded.
1906
After arriving at work early and unable to open his safe, Jack kicks it out of frustration and breaks his toe. The injury worsens and will eventually take his life.
1907
With no wife or children as heirs, Jack leaves his land and distillery to his nephew, Lem Motlow.
PROHIBITION
Master Distiller Jess Motlow and his older brother Lem Motlow see the distillery through its greatest challenges—Prohibition and the Great Depression
1911
Jess takes everything he and Lem learned from Jack and becomes the whiskey’s Master Distiller.
1919
The 18th Amendment is ratified and Prohibition becomes the law of the land. Jess can’t legally sell his supply of whiskey, so he stores it in warehouses in Birmingham, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. For several years, a whole lot of good whiskey winds up doing a whole lot of nothing.
1933
Prohibition is repealed and happy days are here again. But it would be several more years before Jess resumed production of Jack Daniel’s, as quality ingredients were in short supply post-repeal.
WWII
In the years following Prohibition, Master Distiller Lem Tolley helps the Jack Daniel Distillery weather the second of only two shutdowns in its history
1941
Lem commissions a life-size statue of Jack to be erected in front of the cave spring.
1942
A supply shortage makes Old No. 7 harder to come by, but savored all the more by those able to find it. Demand skyrockets.
1944
WWII builds to a peak. During this time the distillery ceases production so that resources can be redirected to help serve the war effort.
1947
In a New York City bar, Jackie Gleason introduces Frank Sinatra to Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It’s the start of a friendship that will endure the ages.
1951
Rock n’ roll takes over the airwaves as production at the distillery inches closer to pre-Prohibition levels.
COMING OF AGE
Master Distillers Jess Gamble (’64-‘66) and Frank Bobo (’66-‘88) watch the brand come of age, overseeing Old No. 7’s transformation from a little known regional whiskey to an American icon as synonymous with rock and roll as the electric guitar.
1964
Jess helps make Jack Daniel’s iconic, black and white ad campaign famous. Remarked a Nashville Magazine reporter, “Using a reverse sophistication, the ads draw the eye like an old photograph of Abraham Lincoln.”
1966
The British Invasion. Future greats of rock and roll cross the pond and conquer the States. Already taken with authentic American blues, they also take to authentic American whiskey.
1977
The punk movement is in full force. Now legendary clubs in New York City play host to the genre’s biggest names. A constant partner in the revolution: Jack Daniel’s.
1981
Hair metal takes hold on the Sunset Strip in California. While still a Tennessean at heart, Jack Daniel’s becomes a fixture of the California scene.
MODERN ERA
An exciting new era of innovation begins with Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford’s (’88-’07) introduction of Gentleman Jack, and continues with the biggest expansion to our family of brands in 150 years under Master Distiller Jeff Arnett (’08-’20).
1988
Jimmy introduces double-mellowed Gentleman Jack to the American market.
1989
A testament to Old No. 7’s place in BBQ culture, Lynchburg plays host to the first annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue® competition.
1997
The very first bottles of Single Barrel Select are drawn from our finest barrels, hand-selected by Jimmy himself.
2008
Jeff Arnett (’08-’20) joins a short and storied list of those entrusted with the responsibility of stewarding Mr. Jack’s fine Tennessee sipping whiskey.
2011
Jack Daniel’s introduces its first flavored expression, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, inspiring a whole new generation of Jack drinkers.
2014
To keep up with global demand, Jack opens a brand new cooperage in Lawrence County, Alabama. Hundreds of barrels are built by hand here every day.
2015
Our first new mash recipe since Old No. 7 is bottled: Single Barrel Rye. Once America’s choice of whiskey over bourbon, rye’s renaissance is underway—and thriving in Tennessee.
2015
We welcome Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire to the family with its smooth, yet warm cinnamon finish. Best enjoyed chilled.
2016
The Jack Daniel Distillery registered with the federal government in 1866, making it the oldest in the U.S. In 2016 we celebrated our 150th anniversary.
2017
Great whiskey begins with quality grains. Under the guidance of Jeff Arnett (’08-’20) we’ve upped the rye and welcomed a spicy and complex new member to the Jack Daniel’s family – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye.
2018
Every October folks flock to Lynchburg for more than just a glimpse of our Distillery. This year marks our 30th Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
2019
Bushel and barrel unite. Jack Apple brings together real crisp apples and real Jack Daniel’s.
2020
A new decade brings a new Master Distiller to the helm of Jack Daniel’s. Chris Fletcher steps into the top spot to guide Mr. Jack’s legacy, and his whiskey, into the future.
2022
Our Bonded Series celebrates innovation and craftsmanship while giving a nod to Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
Learn more about the Bonded Series
2023
At the beginning of 2023 Jack Daniel’s and McLaren began a multiple year partnership. A limited edition bottle was created to celebrate Jack’s official sponsorship of the McLaren Formula One team.
2023
Inspired by the popular Jack & Coke cocktail, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola launched as a ready-to-drink can in 2023.
