Forget Jack Daniel's — This Is Hands Down The Best Bourbon Made In Tennessee

Jack Daniel's has been bottling whiskey since 1866 and is the best-selling whiskey brand in the US. Since 2021, the company has sold over 13 million 9-liter cases each year, even with a small drop in recent numbers due to an industry-wide slowdown in alcohol sales. Still, most popular doesn't mean most delicious, and according to our list of the best bourbon whiskey made in every state, it's not even Tennessee's number-one. The best bourbon made there is by Peg Leg Porker Spirits, created by local restaurateur and pitmaster Carey Bringle. 

Peg Leg Porker's flagship Tennessee straight bourbon was first casked in 2013, and sold commercially soon after. Then came the awards: its premier white label bourbon earned a platinum designation at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2026, the 8-year bottle took the same title, while the 12-year went platinum at the Global Whisky Challenge, and full-proof earned double platinum status at the ASCOT Awards.

The straight bourbon is meant to be sipped. It has subtle notes of cinnamon, apple, and caramel. A slight spice is balanced by an aroma of brown sugar and a bit of oakiness from the barrel. Moving on to one of the brand's aged bottles adds heavier flavors of leather, tobacco, and smoked wood.

Over at The Whiskey Shelf, longtime industry blogger Alex Wang said of Peg Leg Porker's Tennessee straight bourbon: "What it lacks in depth and complexity, it makes up for in overall enjoyability, approachability, and drinkability ... There's just enough richness from the caramel, honey, fruit ... and spice to make it interesting." Others who have critiqued it online have pointed out tasting notes of BBQ char, black pepper, and vanilla, adding that the bottle is worth its price.

The mentions of barbecue in the spirit's profile are no coincidence. Before Carey Bringle founded Peg Leg Porker Spirits, he was a Nashville champion pitmaster and owner of Peg Leg Porker BBQ restaurant. Since it was created with the art of BBQ in mind, the bourbon whiskey is a natural pairing with smoked meats.

Currently, the whiskey is sold in 26 states and in the U.K., but the company is able to ship its 750-milliliter bottles to most U.S. addresses. A bottle of the flagship white label will cost you a little over $60. The full-proof selection is $80, and the 8-year is over $100. If those prices feel too steep, there are cheaper whiskey brands experts recommend, including Wild Turkey and Four Roses.