Both will have a caramel sweetness thanks to the corn base. Rye whiskey for example follows all the same regulations for aging and strength as bourbon whiskey but is made from mash consisting of at least 51 percent rye rather than corn. The Differences Between Bourbon Rye And Tennessee Whiskey The difference between tennessee whiskey like jack daniels for example and bourbon is that after the spirit is distilled tennessee whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal.