Going against the grain: Jack Daniel’s say their whiskey was NOT discovered in Wales

Source: The Mirror

Jun 19th

Jack Daniel’s have poured cold water on claims that the original recipe for their American whiskey was discovered in Wales.

As reported by the Mirror last week, businessman Mark Evans, 54, was researching his family history when he discovered the recipe in a dusty old book of herbal remedies.

It was written in 1853 by his great-great grandmother, a local herbalist in Llanelli called Mrs Daniel.

Her brother-in-law John Daniel left the Welsh town at about the same time to move to Lynchburg, Tennessee – where the Jack Daniel’s distillery opened three years later.

Mark said: “I’m pretty sure I’ve discovered the original recipe. I wanted to look at the family bible and in the bookcase was this book.”

He said: “My great-great uncle left for Lynchburg and nobody heard from him after a couple of letters.

“That was during the time Jack Daniel’s was set up, but more importantly, he was called John ‘Jack the Lad’ Daniel’s.”

However, Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett today said it ISN’T the original recipe book.

He said: “It’s a good story, but one based in fancy rather than fact – the people and dates just don’t match up.

“Jack Daniel’s family was living in America for two generations prior to the 1853 date Mr. Evans suggests his relative came to the United States.

“His John ‘Jack the Lad’ Daniel is not our Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel.

“We also know that Jack Daniel learned to make whiskey from a local Lutheran minister here in Lynchburg and not a herbal remedies book,” added Arnett.

“Jack Daniel’s has always benefitted from the fact that people liked to talk about it.

“Its remarkable, small-town founder and the fact it’s made in a dry county intrigue people and get them talking.

“And so, through the years, it’s drawn all kinds of legend and lore to it. Mr Evans’ story falls into the category of lore.”

The history of JD is something of a mystery as early records were destroyed by fire