Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Strength Tennessee Whiskey

Rating: 21/23 Months passed since I cracked this open before I finally got around to jotting down notes. Initially, I found it underwhelming, much like another bottle I tried. It presented a strong flavor but lacked depth. Setting it aside and returning later revealed a significant transformation; it's now delicious and intricate. I'm concerned I might have encountered an exceptional barrel, as most other offerings from this distillery haven't impressed me much. However, this specific bottle stands out as one of the finest bourbons I've ever experienced. Does it rival top-shelf selections? No. Is it surprisingly close for its price point? Yes. It offers a more conventional bourbon profile compared to other outstanding, yet quirky, spirits. It's considerably more robust and potent than another traditional bourbon, placing them at opposite ends of a similar quality spectrum. I'm genuinely astonished by my enjoyment, especially given the prominent banana note and my usual indifference towards this distillery's products. Nose: The aroma is unexpectedly and disappointingly subtle. After a few minutes, however, I detect banana that isn't overly sweet, complemented by aged wood (faint creosote) harmoniously blended with mild baking spices and smooth vanilla. An intermittent tartness is also present, perhaps resembling fermented green banana. Palate: It's a bit sharp, mainly from the alcohol due to the high proof. It possesses a rich, viscous texture with banana sweetness mingling with caramel/toffee and vanilla, balanced by a green character. Pleasant baking spices introduce a mature, non-aggressive woodiness, evolving into leather notes with hints of herbal creosote. The palate is delightfully indulgent and gradually gains complexity over time. While not exceptionally intricate, it offers substantial complexity and a pleasing richness. I typically dislike banana in bourbon, but this is superb. Finish: Green banana, toffee, and vanilla dominate the lingering flavors as the wood notes quickly fade. The alcohol persists slightly, but it's manageable after the intense palate. Spices remain subtle, with cinnamon becoming more noticeable. The finish is very good, lighter and sweeter, offering a welcome contrast to the powerful palate. A faint whisper of banana candy adds a touch of mineral, which works due to its minimal presence. It's been an intense comparison, but my aged single barrel offering is pretty much on par with this. I was undecided between two scores for this after ruling out a lower one some time ago. While I believe this is slightly superior to the other, I don't think it quite reaches the higher score. Still, it's a great value, assuming this bottle is typical, especially considering its drinkability alongside its potent proof. Considering value for money, the other spirit earned its score after significant aging, whereas this achieved it with much less exposure. Given their similar costs, I would definitely choose this over the other when available. Hopefully, I didn't just get a standout barrel. The intricacy and equilibrium truly win me over on a flavor profile I didn't anticipate enjoying. Those sensitive to banana might want to steer clear, but I, a notorious banana detractor (in spirits and other forms), absolutely love it. It's extremely challenging to rate something this excellent due to the scarcity of comparable options. I struggled for a long time between two high scores. I'm leaning towards the lower of the two, but I wouldn't be surprised if I revise it upwards after another tasting. This is an outstanding bourbon, and its price makes it particularly remarkable. My current inclination is towards a 21 rather than a 22 because the complexity isn't always apparent, and other spirits sometimes exhibit more character. This doesn't approach the level of intricacy found in another highly regarded, albeit dissimilar, whiskey. However, with some time, complexity emerges to enhance its remarkable richness. The complexity here is primarily linked to the banana, yet it never becomes overwhelming. That green banana note seems to integrate well with the wood. I could spend considerable time savoring this in an indulgent manner, which is a significant positive. In a side-by-side comparison with two other spirits, I have little doubt this surpasses the first two. Although it differs greatly from the other, I find it difficult to declare a definitive winner between them, constantly switching my preference. Ultimately, both are highly rated, but each has flaws preventing a perfect score. I'm on the fence between two high scores for both, but considering the other might be marginally better, I'll assign this the lower score for now. I feel like I'm being too cautious, as this is certainly superior to another spirit that received the same score after extensive aging, but I lack sufficient comparison points to justify the higher score. As a last-minute addition, I sampled another spirit I previously rated highly. Now I'm comparing a fairly standard bourbon with a lighter, complex one and a finished one. So, yes, difficult to compare. I've continued to deliberate, and my conclusion is that all three fall within a narrow range of scores. If I could establish a clear hierarchy, I'd assign different ratings, but given their stylistic divergence, that's proving challenging. Therefore, I'll invoke a statistical approach to assert that they are more likely to be 21s than 22s, setting aside subjective judgment to conclude this comparison. Perhaps when I open my bottle of a specific high-end bourbon, it will serve as a clearer benchmark for a 22, allowing for a more precise comparison. For now, it's a 21, but it could easily become a 22. Currently, I consider another spirit to be a clearer 22. I appreciate its richer, darker flavor profile, although the nuanced variations here, with interesting subtleties, give this spirit a nice vibrancy, particularly with the green banana and wood maintaining excellent balance. The deciding factor for me is the harshness, which, while not bad for the proof, is noticeably more pronounced here than in the other spirit. Both are excellent, but I favor the other. For its cost, it's incredibly difficult to find comparable quality. Truly an unexpected result. Excellent work, distillery.

Bottled on 1.11.21 from barrel 21-00208, this spirit registers at 130.2 proof. It matured on R-14 Rick N9. Attractive and robust. The scent offers warm bananas foster and caramel syrup over cinnamon and vanilla ice cream, creating a rich, warm profile with hints of maple bacon, oak, caraway, and orange zest. The alcohol is well concealed. Upon first taste, there's a significant impact that requires a moment to process. Initially, notes of grape and wood, reminiscent of Armagnac, emerge unexpectedly. The second taste is full of spice – cinnamon, clove, and anise – which then transition into the wood and grape notes, followed by a prolonged, warm sensation down the chest. Subsequent sips reveal hints of tannic leather. Brown butter and perhaps cola notes also appear, possibly triggered by memory. At $60, it rivals an EHT barrel proof. I'd argue it surpasses Booker's in complexity, though it lacks the prominent vanilla, brown sugar, and nutty flavors characteristic of Beam products. However, it falls short of the intense, evolving complexity and finish found in a good Stagg Jr or ECBP. This pour is akin to a TN cigar compared to a KY pipe tobacco. It's bold but flavorful. For a mid-tier spirit found on sale, it's highly competitive, especially with ECBP now exceeding $80, Booker's becoming harder to find under that price, and EHT Barrel proof primarily available on the secondary market or in exclusive bar settings. If I combined this with Booker's, would it be a mistake? Perhaps adding a touch of aged MGP? It's an intriguing thought, but that blend would likely be formidable and widely available. Further investigation is warranted.

This was technically purchased by a specific retailer, but since I lack the bottle for a photo, this seems the most appropriate place to list it. It was 65% ABV. I am not a fan of Jack Daniel's. I actively dislike it. My expectations could not have been lower going into this. I anticipated: bananas, wood, dust, leather. Essentially all the characteristics I dislike. The aroma does hint at its origins. There's yeast, bananas, sugar cookies, and cedar. While not appealing to me, it's arguably one of the better Jack Daniel's I've smelled. The body is heavy on sugar, caramel, and lemon. Some cherry is present. The typical yeast and banana notes associated with Jack Daniel's are there but aren't the dominant flavors in the body. The finish is exceptional, in a positive way. I detect notes of Dr. Pepper, licorice, fruit soda, and grape juice. There are distinct lingering flavors that I've never encountered in a Jack Daniel's product before. I experienced a 'fizzy' sensation in my mouth, similar to a specific bottling from 2019 but with much more flavor. This finish is by far my preferred and most fascinating aspect of this spirit. I am not a fan of Jack Daniel's. However, I can appreciate a well-crafted spirit. I genuinely enjoy the unique take on the Jack Daniel's profile here, and the flavors were so bold that just a few sips of my 2-ounce sample revealed those notes. I poured the remainder over ice, and as anticipated, it excels this way. It's essentially like a Jack Daniel's and cola (without the cola). If I had more, I would also use it as a mixer, as I believe it could be outstanding in the Jack Daniel's and Coke category.

I bought more of this spirit after my initial tasting because it was excellent and the cost was perfect! This bottle was picked by Master Distiller Chris Fletcher and was found locally, bottled at 64.40% ABV. The smell is nice with plenty of oak, caramel, and cinnamon apple. Be cautious when smelling too closely as the alcohol will sting. The taste is very smooth, featuring the expected bananas foster and maple pancakes. It's surprisingly not very harsh at first, but you feel the warmth as you swallow, with heat traveling down your throat and into your stomach. The finish is pleasant and extended. Extremely smooth. This has become one of my top bottles for my collection, and I have four different barrels. I strongly suggest this if you appreciate high-proof whiskey, as it's quite accessible and priced very fairly.

Bottled 9.13.19 My second bottle of JDSBBP. This gold label will be a permanent resident on my shelf. Smells like: Maple syrup, warm caramel sauce, a bunch of plantains, and those slightly charred kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bowl. Flavors: Continues the aroma profile with added brown sugar and more oak. I've heard Jack Daniel's doesn't store anything older than 6 years on-site, so the oak is present but not overwhelming, adding a lovely dimension. My first bottle of this was pure peanut brittle, but this one leans more towards candied pecans. Aftertaste: Your mouth will feel as though you've just consumed a banana. All the dark sugary richness, gentle wood spice, and upon exhaling, some baker's chocolate emerges. This. Bottle. Is. A. Must. Buy.

With a 63.5% ABV, water was necessary before tasting; the spirit offered little without it. After dilution, a powerful vanilla bean aroma emerged – the most intense vanilla I've encountered in any whisky, even bourbons. Other aromas were dark: overripe banana peel, brown sugar, caramel, and chocolate. Only the scent of raw, peeled almonds stood out as light. The palate is nutty, spicy, creamy, and undeniably sweet, with less vanilla ice cream and more banana and white honey cream. The finish is medium to long, featuring syrup of dark plums, bananas, and other sweet, pulpy fruits. This ranks among the finest bourbons I've ever sampled. 88/100 WBR.