What is Jack Daniels Whiskey fungus? A look into the havoc-wreaking fungus

People living near Jack Daniels barrelhouses in Lincoln County, Tennessee are facing a growing issue with what they call the Jack Daniels whiskey fungus. Residents are complaining of a black fungus covering their cars, homes, porches, trees and other areas and are worried about their health.

That has resulted in a halt to the construction of Jack Daniels barrels in the area. However, what exactly is whiskey fungus? What are its damaging effects on people’s health? Read on to find out more.

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What is whiskey fungus?

Whiskey fungus grows in the presence of ethanol vapor. (Photo via Instagram/whiskypete)

Whiskey fungus, also known as the distillery fungus, warehouse staining fungus, and rum fungus, is basically a black fungus called Boudoinia compniacensis.

It mainly feeds on alcohol vapor, commonly known as angel’s share - a substance of distilled spirits that gets evaporated during the maturation stage. The black fungus can also be found around distilleries for scotch, vodka, rum, and brandy because of the ethanol used in the making of distilled spirits.

First discovered in distilleries in the Cognac region of France in 1870s, whiskey fungus has spread around many distilleries in the US and Canada, recently creating chaos in Tennessee, where it's known as Jack Daniels whiskey fungus.

Whiskey fungus generally grows in the presence of ethanol vapor and covers a wide range of surfaces. These include fences, cars, outdoor furniture, road signs, construction materials and more.

It can also spread on vegetation and wreak havoc on plants and trees. In some cases, the outer part of homes can have almost an inch of black mold that can be quite difficult to get rid of.

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Health effects of baudoinia compniacensis? Is Jack Daniels whiskey fungus dangerous for human health?

Wear masks to prevent inhaling fungus in the air. (Photo via Pexels/Anna Shvets)

So far, there's not enough evidence to suggest any human health risks related to Baudoinia compniacensis, also called Jack Daniels whiskey fungus.

Researchers have found no known health effects from exposure to Jack Daniels whiskey fungus, but it can damage property and spread rapidly if not eliminated completely.

Experts believe that if whiskey fungus was dangerous, problems would have been reported among people and laborers who work in whiskey warehouses and distilleries, but there has been no such disease outbreak.

Despite no apparent health danger, if you choose to get rid of the fungus from trees, buildings, or any other surface, remember to wear personal protective equipment like face masks, gloves, and goggles during mold removal.

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Children, senior citizens, and people with health issues like respiratory diseases should always wear masks when outdoors to prevent inhaling the fungus. Moreover, if you feel more vulnerable to symptoms from exposure to whiskey fungus, it's best to discuss your concerns with a doctor.

Whiskey fungus is found throughout the world and can resist many climates. It needs periodic rain and high humidity to spread from one surface to another. Distillery fungus can grow on surfaces like rocks, concrete, plastic, plants, cement, and brick.