The Jack Daniel Distillery is established and registered with the federal government at its present location. And now after 150 years of time-tested whiskey-making, it's the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Jack Daniels sour mash is mostly corn, a little bit of rye, and of course the addition of barley malt. But the real secret of their whiskey is the pure, iron-free cave spring water from the Hollow.