We shift from Jack Daniel’s to “the other guy”- George Dickel.  George Dickel Tennessee Whisky (they leave out the ‘e’ from whiskey) is Jack Daniel’s main competition.  The company can loosely be traced back to the mid-to-late 1800s, just like Jack Daniel’s.  They put out three aged whiskies:  George Dickel No. 8, George Dickel No. 12, and George Dickel Barrel Select.  This post looks at the latter.  (Review sample provided by Taylor Strategy)

George Dickel Barrel Select is a 10 barrel small batch whisky.  It’s not a single barrel, although some retailers can select a single barrel of George Dickel and sell it.  George Dickel Barrel Select is the highest-priced whisky in their normal lineup.  According to their website, it’s aged between 10 and 12 years and comes in at 86 proof.

I get tons of caramel, vanilla and oak when I nose it.  It comes in smooth, a term you don’t usually associate with whiskey.  This whisky is syrupy in that it coats your mouth.  There is lots of sweet caramel at first, followed by a little bit of spiciness.  I’d even describe this as a little buttery… kind of like eating a toffee candy.    The finish is sweet.  It’s not quick, but it doesn’t linger.

This is the first George Dickel product I’ve tasted.  I was going to start with their value label George Dickel No. 8 and work my way up, but decided to go against the grain here.  Let’s start at the top.  I’m glad I did.  Simply put, this may be the smoothest, most flavorful Tennessee Whiskey I’ve tasted.  This will run you about slightly north of $40 a bottle.

8.5/10