i made two of these pies today. Sampled some of one and it was pretty delicious. Im not a huge fan of JD at all, so i used this new Crown Royal that is finished with Maple. Turned out awesome!

Made the pie and it turned out really good, I added just a hint more of "Jack Daniel's Tennessee Sipping Whiskey" and Yum!!

Aw! Right - you guys & gals - the alcohol cooks away and just leaves flavor. We don't care if its Bourbon or Whiskey. This IS a fantastic recipe... its always a hit for any special occasion, an absolute must for holidays.

A short time ago I had the opportunity to sample a bourbon pecan pie made with Maker's Mark Bourbon (a real top-of-the-line bourbon) and it was far and away the best pecan pie I have ever tasted. In fact, it may have been the best pie of any kind that I have ever tasted. I'm going to make this pie with Evan Williams Bourbon, a relatively inexpensive Kentucky bourbon which is so smooth that it can be enjoyed straight (neat).

There is a dramatic difference in the flavors of bourbons and sour mash whiskies due to the finishing process though both start out the same. As I recall, Jack Daniels( the best selling American whiskey in the world) was once a seven-year-old bourbon whiskey when it was produced at a family-owned distillery in Lynchburg, TN. According to a Bourbon Institute speaker I heard in the late 60s, the family sold its business to a consortium which reduced the age from seven years old to three-years-old and changed the label on the bottle neck which said "7 years old" to "Old No. 7," which is what it says today. According to the speaker, at that time a whiskey also had to be aged a minimum of three years to be called a bourbon and Jack Daniels continued to call itself a bourbon for a short time.
Later on, it changed its label to read "sour mash" instead of bourbon. Today, whiskies must be aged only two years to be called a bourbon and the same applies to Tennessee sour mash whiskey.

I noticed a distinct change in the flavor of Jack Daniels over the years and switched to real bourbons, but that's just personal preference. Jack Daniels remains the best selling American whiskey in the world.

I would suggest that bourbon will give the pie a little sweeter flavor than a sour mash whiskey, but again, it's a matter of personal preference. Based on comments here, the pie is good regardless of which kind of whiskey you use.

Thanks for posting this recipe.

To you snooty foodies that had to correct the recipe poster in manner that made him sound ignorant, shame on you. I've used this recipe for seven years (I am not allowed to show up to Thanksgiving or Christmas without it), subbing white chocolate and Maker's Mark (a true bourbon) and didn't once feel the need to correct him, even though knowing the difference (too many years in food and beverage industry). Those who were polite, bravo.:-)

Eric, thank you for posting your delicious recipe! It make my family so happy!

I used what I had on hand - Maker's Mark and the pie was wonderful - so delicious. Will definitely make it again.

I use only Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon made in Bardstown ky just a few miles from home I also have made bourbon balls topped with pecan halves and fine chopped pecan in cooked diventy nuts are soaked in bourbon then balls dipped in chocolate. Unless you buy pecans in their shells they are sold in bags in the baking section of grocery.

Jack Daniels does not make bourbon, assume we use Jack Daniels whiskey. What size bag of pecans, 4 or 6 oz? I made this pie several years ago and guessed at the questions above. Can't remember how many pecans I used so I will SWAG it again. This is a great recipe, thanks!

This looks like a great recipe even tough everyone is hating what is bourbon or whiskey. Honestly I don't care as long it taste good and my family likes it. People that have other better things to do don't trip like that. Happy cooking 😊️.

I have been replacing bourbon and whiskey for vanilla in a lot of my recipes lately and I think it improves the flavor. Like someone posted, "People will argue over just about anything."

THIS particular recipe - does call for Jack Daniels. Who care's - what your belief is... Try the recipe as is then change up next time (if you do not like). So many recipes have supposed people posting that seem to think they are an authority on ingredients - locations of original recipe, etc., Simply try the recipe as listed - and go from there - PLEASE!!

Read through all the comments re: whiskey vs bourbon but what I really need to know is how big of a bag of pecans? 16 oz? 10 oz? Help please!