Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Review: Jack Daniel’s Heritage Barrel (2019)
Photo courtesy of Jack Daniel’s.

In 2018, Jack Daniel’s released what could very well be my all-time favorite expression of theirs – Heritage Barrel. This limited edition, single barrel bottling is a far cry from the standard Old No. 7 Black Label. Heritage Barrel starts with a slowly toasted barrel. The whiskey then entered the barrel with a lower entry proof than usual. These heritage barrels rested on the highest floors of their warmest warehouse. The result was a richer, more robust whiskey.

This second bottling sees an additional year of maturation. Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett selected 200 of these barrels for 2019, so there’s not a lot to go around. JD Heritage Barrel is bottled at 100 proof and is available for $64.99. How does this release compare to last year’s?

The nose features deep notes of vanilla and oak spice. Like last year, maple syrup and a citrus note round out the aromas. On the palate, an underlying toasted oak note sees waves of rich caramel, baked banana, and baking spices. Sweet vanilla and orange zest meet a rum-like note. Tobacco and drying oak lead into a long, spicy caramel-vanilla finish.

Last year’s Heritage Barrel was my favorite American whiskey of 2018. This 2019 edition is certainly a contender this year with a touch more spice and complexity than the first release. If you’re not a Jack fan, let this expression change your mind. Jack Daniel’s Heritage Barrel was delicious last year and has only improved with time. 9/10

Jackdaniels.com

Thanks to Jack Daniel’s for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century U.S. Release

Today, Jack Daniel’s announced a nationwide release of their Sinatra Century.   The limited release comes from a 100 barrel batch.  The distillery is using the same Sinatra barrels, or grooved barrels, they used for the Sinatra Select release a couple of years back.  A tribute to Frank Sinatra, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century is also including a CD of a few never before released Sinatra songs in addition to fancy packaging.  This one’s a wallet-breaker – the SRP is $499.99 for a liter bottle.  Here’s the press release:

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Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel – Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey Review

Photo courtesy Jack Daniel's

Photo courtesy Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, the newest member of the Jack Daniel’s family, is hitting shelves August 2015 at a suggested retail price of $65.  When I heard the news, I couldn’t wait to try this whiskey.  I’m a fan of their Single Barrel, and thoroughly enjoyed their Sinatra Select release.  Now we get a single barrel whiskey from them at barrel proof, unfiltered and uncut.  This is the closest most of us will ever get to tasting what Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett samples on a regular basis in the barrel warehouses.  It’s virtually the same thing he’s tasting.

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