Next in my 2019 New Orleans Bourbon Festival Single Barrel review series is this lovely barrel of Jack Daniel’s. Back in November, festival co-founder Tracy Napolitano and I traveled to the distillery in Lynchburg, TN for a barrel selection. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett led the tasting, which I hear is a bit rare. Of the three barrels presented to us, this third barrel unanimously garnered everyone’s vote.

While helping Tracy choose a barrel of Jack Daniel’s, I simultaneously shot and produced a piece on single barrel whiskey for TheSouthernWeekend.com, which you can check out here:

The barrel chosen by Tracy and myself highlights the darker side of Jack Daniel’s flavor profile. The nose features caramelized bananas, dried fruit, vanilla, and dark chocolate. Taste-wise, this JD Single Barrel, bottled at 47% ABV, shows hints of spiced caramel, marshmallow, and banana pudding, which develop into rich cocoa and toasted oak. There’s a tinge of minerality slightly hidden away. The long finish accentuates oak spice and chocolate-covered cherries.

The 2019 New Orleans Bourbon Festival selection of Jack Daniel’s showcases flavorful and interesting darker, oakier notes while maintaining the brand’s DNA. In other words, it’s delicious. I bet this whiskey would pair nicely with a medium-bodied cigar. As soon as this selection hit the New Orleans market, I made sure to pick up a couple of bottles. So glad I have a backup. 8.5/10