Jack Daniel Distillery Says Welshman's Claimed Discovery Of Jack Daniel's Original Formula Contrary To History

LYNCHBURG, Tenn., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jack Daniel Distillery responded to recent headlines in the United Kingdom that a Welshman has uncovered Jack Daniel's original whiskey recipe by saying, "It's a good story, but one based in fancy rather than fact – as the dates don't match historical record," according to Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett.

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As told in the U.K. story, businessman Mark Evans claims a book of herbal remedies written in 1853 by his great-great-grandmother contains the original recipe for Jack Daniel's whiskey.  The story cites as proof that one of Mr. Evans' relatives left Wales for America around 1853 and traveled to Lynchburg, Tenn., where the Jack Daniel Distillery was opened later, and that relative was known as "John 'Jack the Lad' Daniels."

"The people and dates just don't match up," said Arnett.  "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' Daniels 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 an herbal remedies book," added Arnett.

"Jack Daniel's has always benefited from the fact that people liked to talk about it," said Arnett.  "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."

About Jack Daniel's
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel's is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey-Based Ready-to-Drink Beverages and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. 

Jack Daniel's encourages its friends to drink responsibly.

Contact: Kristin Hampel
[email protected]
(615) 780-3365

SOURCE Jack Daniel's