Bourbon may be produced anywhere in the USA, provided it meets the criteria for ingredients, barrels, and aging.
I don’t consider Jim Beam to be very good bourbon, but that criticism also applies to Jack Daniels who have watered down their product without improving quality, although it is real bourbon whiskey though it be distilled in Tennessee. They have been surpassed by many distillers.
Breckenridge is distilled in Breckengridge, Colorado and is one of the finest bourbon whiskeys out there, which is particularly surprising given that it is currently only aged for the minimum time allowed. My personal favorite right now is Eagle Rare distilled by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky who make many fine bourbon and rye whiskeys.
A number of craft distillers have emerged who are having their whiskey distilled to their specification by companies operating in Indiana and elsewhere. Some of their stuff is really, really good. Of course, to discover these quality craft products, you need to have a rigorous tasting program. It’s hard work, but the rewards are great.
I’m a big fan of Knob Creek single barrel reserve 9 year.
I’m a scotch drinker mainly, and have no use for Jack or Jim Beam, though I will occasionally get Makers Mark from the grocery store if I’m being lazy and don’t want to travel to the liquor store.
But give the Knob Creek a try (the lesser grades are not so good, but still better than Jack, stick with the single barrel).
Jack Daniels is NOT a bourbon whiskey....It is a sour mash whiskey...
Also, any Canadian Rye whiskey bought in the US is actually a rye blend...The only pure Canadian rye can be bought in Canada...They do not export it unless it’s a blend.
My favorite whiskey to sip neat is Woodford Reserve, Bulliet, Buffalo Trace. There are some much more expensive that are good, but my personal budget limit is Woodford, and I drink more Bulliet because it is good, and cheaper.Since I like my whiskey straight, I don’t care for it much over 90 proof, as it is a bit too “hot”. And I like Beam over Jack,if I have to pick one of those. Jack’s single barrel is OK, but there are better whiskies for that money,IMHO..
Jack Daniels is not bourbon in the legal or technical sense. It is classified a whisky because it is charcoal filtered. Bourbon was defined in a strict legal sense following prohibition due to the number of distilleries that popped up making rot gut and calling it bourbon. No true bourbon is filtered.
If Jack Daniel’s were a bourbon, I figure it would say “bourbon” somewhere on the label.