Leading whiskey maker Jack Daniel's is trying to set a standard of what can be called Tennessee whiskey based on their strict recipe, according to AFP.com.
In a battle of two global giants of liquor distribution, Diageo versus Brown-Forman, Jack Daniel's wants legislators in the state's capital of Nashville to implement clear standards on what spirit can wear the "Tennessee Whiskey" label, AFP reported.
The industry powerhouse says only the drink that is made from at least 51 percent corn fermented mash, aged in new barrels of charred oak, filtered through maple charcoal and at least 40 percent alcohol should qualify as Tennessee whiskey, according to AFP.
This is the process by which the 148-year-old Jack Daniel's makes its own bourbon-style whiskey, AFP reported.
The distiller, owned by Brown-Forman, was able to push that standard through the Tennessee general assembly last year before competitors could mount resistance, according to AFP.
Diageo, whose George Dickel brand is the state's number two whiskey, and is already made to the new official code, said Brown-Forman engineered the change through "misleading and deceptive political moves" that gives it an advantage, the AFP reported.
Guy Smith, Diageo executive vice president for North America, said "effectively reversing the flexibility that has been enjoyed for more than 130 years by Tennessee whiskey distillers," is unfair, according to AFP.
"Diageo is willing to consider a standard for Tennessee whiskey," Smith said, AFP reported. "However, it is imperative that standard be reflective of the collective input from Tennessee whiskey distillers large and small, not just from one oppressive company as is currently the case."
