Jack Daniel's Old No. 7

A classic - the old No. 7, a staple in every whiskey drinker's collection. But for my preference, I find it quite sharp and unrefined. It's a drink I would have if offered but not one I'd seek out. I recognize its importance and traditional taste, as well as its effectiveness as a mixing spirit, providing a good foundation. However, as a neat drink, which is my preferred way to enjoy whiskey, it's just average. Regarding the aroma, I detect woody notes, bordering on a slightly burnt wood smell, which certainly connects to the fire-charred barrels used in its production. As for the taste, I get a faint smokiness, but the rest is unmemorable. The flavor doesn't linger on the palate for long and doesn't overstay its welcome. Concerning the mouthfeel, as mentioned, it's sharp but not excessively so, a bit more than I prefer, but it goes down easily. I wouldn't spend much time savoring the No. 7 due to its unremarkable flavor and lack of complexity, but it's inoffensive. Overall, Jack Daniel's No. 7 is an average, inoffensive bourbon, a classic for its era. While I rate it as average based on my personal taste, I acknowledge its inoffensive and clean flavor profile as a good base for creating more complex and balanced flavor experiences when combined with other drinks. But on its own, it just falls short for me.

I've been sampling a variety of affordable whiskeys known for their banana bread characteristics. So, I acquired a small 50 mL bottle of Jack and just opened it. The aroma of banana bread is present as expected on the nose. On the palate, the banana bread flavor is there too, along with some ethanol. The finish had a slight warmth but was not unpleasant. When compared to Gentleman Jack, Old No. 7 is far superior to its pricier, double-filtered counterpart. Gentleman Jack was too smooth for my liking, and its banana bread notes were much more subtle. Old No. 7 isn't quite good enough to be a permanent addition to my whiskey collection, but it's good enough that I'll buy it occasionally. It's sufficient for ordering at a restaurant or bar that has limited whiskey choices. While there are definitely better options available, Old No. 7 will suffice for me.

Review #13 - Whisk(e)y #9 Nose - alcohol, with hints of vanilla and honey, subtle oak, and a very faint note of banana. Palate - vanilla, honey, and oak flavors, with a rather dry sensation. Finish - brief to medium-length, with sweet notes, but also some oakiness and a light spice. This is significantly better than Jim Beam Original in terms of depth and balance, though it's not the smoothest option. Gentleman Jack is clearly superior, though it also lacks complexity, which can be found in Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select instead. Rating System: 5.0 - Perfect 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB

Overall score: 2.5. The smell has a hint of alcohol, maple syrup, and is generally sweet. On the palate, there's a mild nutty quality and a savory sensation. The finish is bitter and spicy, though it doesn't sting or dry the throat much. It leaves a lingering scent of burning firewood, and a bit of alcohol comes back after swallowing.

Aroma: I detect strong notes of banana and a subtle hint of sweet creamed corn. Palate: Banana Pudding is the dominant flavor, accompanied by vanilla and toasted graham cracker. Finish: Long and crisp, with similar flavors and an added touch of tropical fruit that complements the banana-forward taste. Overall: I used to not care for Jack very much, but it might have grown on me a bit lately. It's a 'safe' whiskey that's likely best for mixing, but it can be enjoyed neat in a pinch.

A rich Tennessee Whiskey composed of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malt, subsequently filtered through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal, resulting in a mellow, slightly smoky character. It has a rich beginning with notes of caramel, vanilla, and charred wood; followed by a sweet and clean progression with notes of oak, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, and smoke; culminating in a rich and smooth conclusion with notes of maple and a hint of rye. February 2001 / November 2018 / June 2019 / July 2022