Jack Daniels Old #7 Brand

A few years ago in what I like to call my more adventuresome days, I worked on a cattle ranch in Kansas. Besides having an abundant supply of Arbuckles coffee for the ranch hands it was common place to keep a couple pint bottles of Jack Daniel's stashed in our saddlebags, for medicinal purposes of course. Its charcoal filter and smoky taste might be too strong a libation for novice, but over time this smooth, warm amber colored bourbon mellows your taste buds with each sip. The cowhands would say, "It's more like an old friend than a bottle of whiskey." I'd have to agree.

For years bourbon drinkers know when you think Tennessee bourbons you instantly think two letters; JD. Made and distributed in Lynchburg, Tennessee, by founder Jack Daniels, Jack Daniel's Old #7 Brand has been featured and acknowledged in countless films, commercials, television shows, major sponsors of rodeos, NASCAR races and just about every rock concert I've attended.

Its distinguished logo accompanied with the "Old # 7 symbol is one of the most world-wide recognized labels associated with bourbon. Jack Daniel's is not only grand old bourbon, but over the years it has become a symbolic American Icon.

Staying with its medicinal qualities here are a couple of ways I've uses this fine Tennessee Gentleman's bourbon.

1. Cough and Sore Throat: This recipe was passed down by my mom. Brew a cup of tea. No special brand required. Add two teaspoons of honey, a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of Jack Daniels. Sip it while it's hot.

2. Tooth Aches: Soak a cotton pad with Jack Daniels and place it on the aching tooth. It may or may not help the tooth ache, but it sure will help you forget about the pain for a while. Remember cattle don't herd themselves.

3. Antiseptic: We'd get a lot of barbed wire cuts, scrapes and gouges on the ranch. We'd clean the cut or scratch with water then pour a little bit of Jack Daniels on it to help kill germs that could lead to infection.

I remember one particularly hot afternoon while feeding the long-horned cattle I got stung by a wasp. We were miles away from the horse trailers. The cattle boss asked me if I was allergic to stings, I said no. He put the EpiPen back in his pocket, pulled out his pen knife, got the stinger out and dabbed it with Jack Daniels. He also put a wad of chewed tobacco on the sting! I didn't ask any questions because it took the swelling down and I was able to finish my work.

When it comes to Jack Daniels the most common question folks ask is, "What does the Old # 7 mean?" Some say old number 7 stands for how many years it takes to make a barrel of Jack Daniels. Others say it was his 7^th batch that is what we now call Jack Daniels Old #7. It could also acknowledge Jeff Arnett (7th Master Distiller).

Source(s):
http://www.jackdaniels.com
http://www.tennesseehistory.com/class/JD.htm
http://arbucklecoffeetraders.com/
Personal experience working on the J Lazy T Ranch, KS