Established in 1866, the Jack Daniel Distillery was the first registered distillery in the United States. Popular as a beverage and as an ingredient in barbecue sauce, Jack Daniel's whiskey is fairly low in calories by the ounce. Consume Jack Daniel's in moderation and avoid high-calorie cocktail mixers to keep calories low.
Classic Jack Daniel's Ingredients
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The classic black-labeled Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage made primarily from corn and other grains that are brewed into a mash, then fermented and distilled. Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey is 40 percent alcohol, which means it's 80 proof.
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Jack Daniel's is classified as "straight corn whisky," according to the Code of Regulations published by the National Archives. Those regulations state that corn whiskey made in the United States must come from a fermented mash containing no less than 80 percent corn. Straight corn whiskey is required to be aged in charred oak barrels at no greater than 160 proof by volume for at least two years, and can only be sold at 80 proof.
Tip
If made in the United States or Ireland, "whiskey" is generally spelled with an E. By contrast, "whisky" made elsewhere (such as Canada, Scotland or Japan) is typically spelled without an E, explains Britannica.com. An easy way to remember this is: If the country's name contains an E (such as the United States and Ireland), their "whiskey" has an E, too.
Health and Nutrition Facts
Among the oldest and most famous whiskies produced in the United States, Jack (like other brown liquors such as bourbon, rye and Scotch) has no nutritional value, as it contains none of the vitamins and minerals essential for health.
According to the Jack Daniel's website, 1 ounce of classic Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey contains around 65 calories. Those calories come strictly from ethyl alcohol; none of them come from carbs, fat, protein or dietary fiber. "Jack Daniel's Black Label Tennessee Whiskey has no carbohydrates (sugar or starch), gluten, fats or cholesterol, as these are removed in the distilling process," notes the company. Jack also contains zero sodium.
It should be noted, however, that the Jack Daniel's brand offers a range of products, including Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple and Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire. Those products do contain carbohydrates, according to nutrition information published by Brown-Forman Beverages, which manufactures the brand.
A 1-ounce serving of Jack Daniel's provides about 3 percent of the daily caloric intake needed by the typical adult, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. That serving provides around 9 grams of alcohol, per Brown-Forman. The rest consists of water.
Warning
The alcohol in Jack Daniel's whiskey (and all alcoholic beverages) is a strong drug that affects the central nervous system. Drinking too much, too quickly increases the risk of harm, as explained by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It alters perception and impairs judgment, impulse control, coordination and reflexes. Excessive quantities of alcohol can result in permanent brain damage or death.
- Jack Daniel's: "FAQs"
- National Archives: "Code of Federal Regulations — Title 27"
- Britannica: "What’s the Difference Between Whiskey and Whisky? What About Scotch, Bourbon, and Rye?"
- Brown-Forman Beverages: "Jack Daniel's Family of Brands - United States"
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: "Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose"