What is difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon whiskey?

Tennessee whiskey and bourbon whiskey are both American whiskeys, but there are some key differences between the two.

Ingredients: Tennessee whiskey must be made from at least 51% corn, while bourbon whiskey must be made from at least 51% corn and can also contain other grains such as rye, wheat, or barley.

Mash bill: The mash bill is the specific combination of grains used to make the whiskey. Tennessee whiskey typically has a higher proportion of corn in the mash bill than bourbon whiskey.

Distillation: Tennessee whiskey must be distilled to a proof of no more than 160, while bourbon whiskey can be distilled to a proof of up to 190.

Charring: The barrels used to age Tennessee whiskey must be charred on the inside, while the barrels used to age bourbon whiskey can be charred, toasted, or uncharred.

Aging: Tennessee whiskey must be aged for at least two years in new, charred oak barrels, while bourbon whiskey must be aged for at least one year in new, charred oak barrels.

Filtration: Tennessee whiskey must be filtered through charcoal before it is bottled, while bourbon whiskey is not required to be filtered.

Flavor: Tennessee whiskey is typically sweeter and smoother than bourbon whiskey, due to the higher proportion of corn in the mash bill and the charcoal filtration. Bourbon whiskey is typically more complex and has a more pronounced oak flavor.

In addition to these key differences, there are also some regional differences between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon whiskey. Tennessee whiskey is produced primarily in the state of Tennessee, while bourbon whiskey is produced primarily in the state of Kentucky. However, there are distilleries that produce Tennessee whiskey outside of Tennessee and bourbon whiskey outside of Kentucky.