Jack Daniels substitutes
The closest substitute for Jack Daniels is Bourbon, which works and barely changes the drink. Very close in style. Jim Beam Bourbon and Rye Whiskey also work.
What to use instead of Jack Daniels
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
BourbonAlmost the same Very close in style. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | +1 point |
Jim Beam BourbonAlmost the same Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | About the same |
Rye WhiskeyWorks, tastes different Drier and spicier. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | +2 points |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink. Typical drink: the usual change in ABV, in percentage points, across the drinks below.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Jack Daniels, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Lynchburg Lemonade
30ml (1 oz) Jack Daniels → 30ml (1 oz) Bourbon
About 7% ABV → about 8% ABV+1 point
- Three Wise Men
10ml (⅓ oz) Jack Daniels → 10ml (⅓ oz) Bourbon
About 40% ABV → about 41% ABV+1 point
How they compare
| Property | Jack Daniels | Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–47% ABV | 40–50% ABV |
| Taste | Smooth, Caramel, Vanilla, Light banana, Oak | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Gentle spice |
| Aroma | Banana, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak | Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Corn sweetness, Baking spices |
| Finish | Smooth, Sweet, Medium | Warm, Sweet, Medium to long, Oak tannins |
| Property | Jack Daniels | Jim Beam Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–47% ABV | 40% ABV |
| Taste | Smooth, Caramel, Vanilla, Light banana, Oak | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Medium body |
| Aroma | Banana, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak | Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Corn sweetness, Light spice |
| Finish | Smooth, Sweet, Medium | Warm, Sweet, Oak, Medium length |
Already have one of these?
If you have Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel or George Dickel No. 12, you don't need a substitute: they are all Jack Daniels. How they differ
What is Jack Daniels?
Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey, similar to bourbon but charcoal-filtered through maple wood. The world's best-selling American whiskey brand.
Got Jack Daniels? It also replaces
Questions about Jack Daniels substitutes
What is the best substitute for Jack Daniels?
Bourbon is the closest substitute for Jack Daniels and barely changes the drink. Very close in style. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Jack Daniels in a Lynchburg Lemonade?
Bourbon: swap 30ml (1 oz) of Jack Daniels for 30ml (1 oz) of Bourbon. It ends up about 8% ABV instead of about 7%.
Which Jack Daniels brands can I use?
If you have Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel or George Dickel No. 12, you don't need a substitute: they are all Jack Daniels. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Bourbon instead of Jack Daniels change how strong the drink is?
It can. The biggest change is in the Lynchburg Lemonade, which goes from about 7% to about 8% ABV. The swap calculator on this page works it out for every drink.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Jack Daniels?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.