Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye

Rating: 15/23 I just completed my tax filing and decided to open something new to commemorate the occasion. Not an overly expensive bottle, as I had a substantial tax payment, but something reasonably good that I hadn't sampled before. Jack Daniel's seemed like the quintessential American choice for my dilemma. I thought the standard rye expression was slightly better than Old No. 7, and I found the Single Barrel Tennessee whiskey to be solid. I'm anticipating this will be an improvement over the single barrel Tennessee whiskey. I have low expectations of it matching Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee whiskey, but we shall see. Nose: Mmmm! This aroma is quite indulgent - precisely what I was seeking. There's a robust yet not dull woody layer at the forefront. Emerging from this are abundant spices and some green banana. Definite hints of minerals, but they don't make it feel lighter. There's considerable intriguing mustiness from the wood. Exploring further, I detect some bitter herbal notes and sour green apple. Overall, not the most intricate nose, but it possesses a fine wood foundation and smells very pleasant. Palate: Thinner than I had hoped, but not unsatisfactory. The minerals are quite prominent here. The wood plays a less significant role, and the banana and green apple are sweeter than anticipated. There's some pleasing subtlety in the wood, but the flavor is less intense than I desire. Towards the latter part of the palate, vanilla begins to emerge. Spicy herbs are present throughout, but they are subtle. There's also a touch of rich caramel. Very faint creosote notes are occasionally detectable too. Finish: Green banana, green apple, herbal spice, light minerals, faint wood. - Conclusion - I am very pleased with the nose; it's unfortunate that the palate is so thin and light. Where are the bold flavors that the nose suggested? This could certainly be described as elegant, but at 47% ABV, it somehow still tastes watery. The flavors are all quite good, but they lack sufficient concentration. Perhaps blending some Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21/23) with this could create a tasty drink that satisfies my rye craving.. Woodinville Rye (15/23) presents a flatter, less engaging profile, but it is considerably less thin, despite having a slightly lower proof. Revisiting this, the banana has a candy-like quality, and there's simply not enough body. It's truly disappointing that the proof is so low here because this is otherwise an excellent whiskey. As much as I want to declare this superior, its thinness prevents me from doing so. This appears to be a fairly accurate comparison to Elijah Craig Small Batch (a low 15/23). Evan Williams Single Barrel (14/23) also seems quite similar, but I would assert that this is definitely the better of the two. Based on these direct comparisons, this will receive a rating of 14 or 15. I am leaning slightly more towards a 15. What frustrates me is that I believe this would be an outstanding drink at 60% ABV - potentially a strong competitor to Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof. To imagine that a significantly better version of this could have been offered for just 30% more in price...

Bought two half bottles that came with a little plaque saying they were specially selected by Assistant Distiller Lexie Phillips. Sounds impressive. Nose: Cherry, banana, charcoal, cinnamon, touch of Christmas spice, toasted and salted almonds, and a bit more ethanol that I might have hoped for. Palate: Cherry, banana, rye grain, sweet oak, sweet corn, some soft herbal tea notes, baked white bread, unsweetened breakfast cereal, some spice and some burn. Nice, full, almost chewy mouthfeel. Finish: Banana, caramel, char, oak, maybe some chocolate, faint roast coffee, firewood, touch of ethanol. Very solid rye, but I think it maybe hues too close to the regular JD. I'm not sure how they work that classic banana note in, but they do. Doesn't feel like a rye flavor - have to assume it comes from their process then. The banana works nicely in Old No. 7 or even the Gentleman Jack, but it brings out a harshness in the rye that's not as nice of a pairing. That's not to say it's bad - it really isn't. I enjoyed this and would certainly buy it again, but I think there are better ryes out there. This is one is a bit unique though - uniquely Jack.

A half pint, it includes a decorative pewter plaque that says "Specialty Selected by Lexie A. Phillips Assistant Distiller 2021." Barrel house 2-25, barrel #22-01672, bottled on 2.18.22. It has an amber-red color and appears thin. The aroma changes significantly over time. Initially, it's filled with sharp oak, caraway, pepper, and distinct banana foster notes, perhaps with a hint of pie crust. As it sits, notes of spearmint, eucalyptus, tobacco, and caramel develop. The taste is similarly intriguing, leaning heavily towards tannic qualities from the oak (with a toasted profile, similar to Elijah Craig toasted) but still balanced with plenty of pastry, banana, and earthy flavors. There are some younger grain notes present, but rye is much more dominant than corn. Despite being 94 proof, it drinks like a higher proof spirit, around 115. The rye spice and stronger oak create a more bitter profile compared to the banana foster, clove, and marshmallow notes of their barrel strength version. It stands well on its own and would likely make an exceptional Boulevardier. I wouldn't choose this over Willett 4 Year, Rare Breed rye, or Russell's Single Barrel rye. The advantage is that I can get the 375ml size for $25 to experiment with without spending too much. Overall, I'm content with this specific barrel, and while others might be similar or different, I probably won't repurchase unless it significantly improves over its likely short remaining lifespan.

Color/Presentation: 5/5 Nose: 21/25 Palate: 29/40 Finish: 13/20 Value: 8/10 Total: 76/100 A distinctive rye in an outstanding package. Sweet with spice on the finish, this is ideal for those who aren't great fans of overly spicy ryes (or any spice at all). This rye falls short due to the disconnect between the aroma and what's delivered to the palate. I found myself with my nose pressed to the glass, absorbing all the fruit, spice, and caramel that creates one of the most appealing scents I've encountered. Upon tasting, those notes are present on the palate, but in an aggressively subtle manner. It almost feels diluted. I suspect a barrel-proof offering would resolve this. However, it does make for an incredibly easy-drinking spirit, consistently inviting you to have more and try to discern the prominent notes detected on the nose. Overall, this is a good rye at an excellent price in an amazing package. I don't think I'll rush to buy another, but I can hardly claim it wasn't worth the cost.

This is a really enjoyable rye. I was lucky to purchase a 375 mL bottle for $15. On the nose, it doesn't present a strong rye character, but rather subtle notes of vanilla, caramel, and fruit. The palate is where the rye becomes more noticeable, with a pleasant spicy kick that lingers, and the herbal qualities common in ryes emerge. This rye is only 94 proof but it coats the mouth well and leaves a lasting warmth. I'm quite pleased with this bottle and might even rate it higher over time. 3 1/2 stars could probably get bumped up overtime.

The scent from the bottle initially is fruity ethanol. It looks thick in the glass, but the texture is somewhat thinner than anticipated. It's not bad, nor is it thin, just not as thick as its appearance suggests. Pleasant mellow tastes on the tongue. A long, zesty rye aftertaste. 8/1/22 - The aroma seems sweeter than before, but nothing else has changed. A very easy-drinking spirit, and it makes an excellent Old Fashioned. I hope to sample the Special Release variant someday.