Introduction:
When it comes to American whiskey, one name stands out as an enduring symbol of quality and tradition: Jack Daniel. Born in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in1850. It would be his brand of whiskey with the famous number 7 on the bottle that is now a premier whiskey brand around the world. It would be that creation along with a former slave named Nearest Green, who would become his chief distiller, that would make Jack Daniel famous. It would take over 100yrs before Nearest Green would get his due for his participation in that creation.
Early Life and Distillery Beginnings:
Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel was born in September 1850, and his early years were far from ordinary. Orphaned at a young age, possibly as early as 7yrs old, he was taken in by a local preacher and moonshine distiller named Dan Call.
Under Call’s guidance, young Jack learned the art of distillation, laying the foundation for what would later become his life’s work. Dan Call was a slave owner and one of his slaves, Nearest Green, was Dan’s Master Distiller. He taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey and the two men would form a bond that is very rare for that time period.
In 1866, at the age of just 16, Jack Daniel founded the distillery that would bear his name. He registered it with the U.S. government in 1866, making it one of the oldest registered distilleries in the United States as it still exists today in the small town it was registered in 1866. It employs over 700 people from surrounding areas making it the prime driver for economic growth in the area.
After the Civil War ended and all slaves were free, Jack Daniel hired Nearest Green to be his Master Distiller. With Nearest’s help, they would create quality whiskey that is still their recipe to this day. They use mostly charcoal and barrels to turn moonshine into whiskey. Jack Daniel would employ Green’s son after he passed away. Jack Daniel would have close relationships with that family created a rare interracial, during Jim Crow, coalition that lasts until present day.
The Lincoln County Process:
One of the key factors that set Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey apart from others is the distinctive Lincoln County Process. This process involves filtering the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before it is aged in oak barrels. This extra step imparts a smooth and mellow character to the whiskey, setting it apart from other bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys. It is also what gives it the distinctive gold color it is known for.
The black and white label, featuring the image of Jack Daniel himself, is synonymous with quality and tradition. The Old No. 7 label is as much a part of the whiskey’s identity as the spirit itself. That number has no special meaning. Jack decided on No. 7 on a whim and it turned out to be pure marketing genius.
The death of Jack Daniel:
Jack Daniel decided to show up to work early one morning to his office in Lynchburg. He wanted to open his safe to make a deposit. However, he, which we can all relate to, forgot his combination. In anger, he kicked his safe as hard as he could .
His safe was pure steel and severely injured his foot. As man do when they injure something, especially us guys, Jack did not go to the doctor right away. Once his foot got infected, he went to the doctor who realized he had gangrene. His toe was amputated, but the infection did not go away and he died of that injury in 1911.
Jack Daniel did not have any children of his own, so the company was passed down to his nephew, who would turn Jack Daniel’s into the worldwide company it is to this day.
Conclusion:
Jack Daniel has an amazing legacy of entrepreneurship and building relationships and providing opportunities to black people coming out of slavery. Nearest Green and his sons helped make the Jack Daniel’s brand what it is today.
People that say that Jack Daniel did not give Nearest Green his due mistake today’s culture with the late 1800s. A black man at he forefront of a brand during that time period would most likely not have succeeded. Nearest Green deserves credit for the quality of Jack Daniel’s and it is great he is finally getting his due, along side Jack Daniel, as an equal as both men are responsible for the success it enjoys to this day.
