When Was Tennessee Whiskey Released? History and Release Dates

Because the phrase “Tennessee Whiskey” can refer to a few different iconic things—the legendary style of liquor, its defining brand milestones, or the famous country music standard—the answer depends entirely on what you are looking for.

Here is the complete story behind when “Tennessee Whiskey” was first released, broken down by its three most famous definitions.

1. The Song: “Tennessee Whiskey”

• First Released: 1981 (by David Allan Coe)

If you are thinking of the soulful country ballad made famous globally by Chris Stapleton, the song itself has a much longer history. It was written by legendary songwriters Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove.

• The Original Version (1981): Outlaw country artist David Allan Coe was the first to record and release the track, making it the title track of his 1981 album Tennessee Whiskey. While Coe’s version gained a cult following, it peaked at a modest No. 77 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
• The Breakout Hit (1983): Just two years later, country icon George Jones recorded a rendition that leaned heavily into a smoother, bluesy, honky-tonk style. Jones’ version became a massive commercial hit, soaring to No. 2 on the country charts.
• The Modern Phenomenon (2015): Though covered by many artists over the decades, Chris Stapleton performed a blistering, soul-infused version alongside Justin Timberlake at the 2015 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. That career-defining performance vaulted the song into a modern generational anthem, introducing it to a massive new audience.

2. The Style of Liquor: Tennessee Whiskey

• First Developed: Early 19th Century (Legislatively defined in 2013)

As a distinct category of spirit, Tennessee whiskey has roots stretching back to the early settlers of the 1800s. What technically separates it from standard bourbon is the Lincoln County Process—a unique filtering step where the freshly distilled spirit is slowly steeped through massive vats of sugar-maple charcoal before aging in charred oak barrels.

While distillers had been using this method for generations, the legal definition of “Tennessee Whiskey” wasn’t officially codified until 2013, when the Tennessee state legislature passed a law ensuring that any product bearing the name on a label must meet strict regional production and charcoal-mellowing standards.

3. The Iconic Brands: Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel

• Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7: Officially registered in 1866 by Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel in Lynchburg, Tennessee (though commercial production and bottling under the famous “Old No. 7” label evolved through the late 19th century).
• George Dickel: Founded when merchant George Dickel bought a major share of the Cascade Hollow Distillery in 1878.

Summary

• If you mean the song, it was first released in 1981 by David Allan Coe.
• If you mean the world’s top-selling brand (Jack Daniel’s), its distillery history dates back to 1866.