BACK TO THE JACK

24TH ANNUAL JACK DANIEL’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP INVITATIONAL BARBECUE

Lynchburg, Tennessee Travel, Americana, Nashville Chefs, Parish Patch

By Doc Lawrence



"The Jack," by Olivia Thomason



LYNCHBURG, TENNESSEE-The drive from Atlanta to this lovely unspoiled village in middle Tennessee is an adventure surrounded by brilliantly colored landscape. Peak leaf season in Lynchburg seems to be coordinated between Mother Nature and the folks who schedule the world’s most prestigious barbecue competition. Known among food and spirits writers and barbecue aficionados as “The Jack,” it’s the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue Competition held this weekend beside the historic distillery where the planet’s most popular whiskey is made.

It’s a reunion with friends like Coach Johnny Majors, Memphis legend Silky Sullivan of Beale Street fame and other judges from throughout the country. Some time to breath fresh air at the farm resort Parish Patch and laugh with owner David Hazelwood. The competing teams represent state champions and the best barbecue of many other countries who have teams here ready to smoke and grill their nation’s favorite barbecue. Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and others add delightful accents and adventure to this one-of-a-kind food contest.

This year, the opportunities for more good stories have been expanded.

To celebrate the perfect marriage of Jack Daniel’s and great food, there’s an exclusive media event with legendary pitmaster Patrick Martin of Martin’s BBQ in Nolensville, Tennessee. Known globally for his famous barbecue, Martin and his friends, Nashville chefs Tandy Wilson, Tyler Brown and Jason McConnell, have created a special menu to kick-off The Jack for another successful year. The chefs will lead a taste tour through each menu item, demonstrating why Southern cuisine is widely viewed as some of the best food in the planet.

Jack Daniel’s heralded Master Distiller Jeff Arnett will give a private tasting of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands, including Jack Daniel’s Unaged Rye. For the first time since Prohibition, the Jack Daniel Distillery is offering a new expression from a new grain recipe.

Along with other journalists and writers, I’ll join Jeff as he explores this new offering and Jack Daniel’s world-famous brands. And all of this is a prelude to the thousands from North America and beyond gathering to celebrate this remarkable food event: The Jack 2012 pays homage to a higher life.