Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Selection Barrel Proof Rye

This special Tennessee rye presents a dark copper hue with thin, watery legs. The nose is full and sweet, rich with notes of caramel apple, vanilla frosting, orange soda, robust maple syrup, syrupy cherry, overripe peach, dill, and black licorice. Adding a splash of water reveals more floral and grassy notes. The palate is punchy, featuring notes of char, orchard fruit, dill pickle, spice cabinet herbs, graham crackers, and rye and barrel spice. A splash of water also brings out a watermelon candy note and reduces the heat. The finish is long, hot, and dry, like a desert trek. This rendition of Jack Daniel’s rye whiskey is good but also harsh. Reducing the proof was a wise decision, and I respect it. I'm glad I had the chance to try it directly from the barrel, but I recognize that some whiskeys are better when proofed down. Thanks, Jack! Cheers!

The aroma is dominated by big rye upfront, seeming confrontational with strong cinnamon, vanilla, and fall spices. It's a very well-rounded nose. The taste brings leather, rye, vanilla, spice, mint, and heavy oak on the first sip. The second sip introduces more heat and heavy oak, with the rye spice hitting intensely on the sides of the tongue and upper lips. The finish is long. This is a remarkably solid offering, and at 63%, it's so balanced that adding ice to temper the heat is unnecessary. I enjoyed this slightly more than Rare Breed Rye when tasted side-by-side, primarily due to the finish.

This is a well-crafted product that stands out from other Rye whiskeys on the market. The nose presents maple sugar, vanilla, butterscotch, and a hint of oak. The palate transforms into brown sugar, vanilla, spearmint, orange marmalade, and apricots, followed by rye spice with black pepper, and a lingering rye muffin taste on the palate. The rye spice is subtle at first but becomes noticeable later. I love this whiskey because its lack of dill and anise allows the fruit, spearmint, and rye flavor to dominate. An excellent whiskey!

It possesses good spice, drinks every bit of its 127 proof rye, and leaves you wanting more upon finishing. It's akin to a delicious spicy hot wing – intense in the moment, but you crave another as soon as it's gone. Drink it neat; given its cost and rarity, appreciate it for what it is. Yes, I made an old fashioned with it... for science. It certainly holds its own in a cocktail but doesn't seem to stand out more than other similar high-proof ryes when mixed.

Incredible nose with spice, caramel, orange zest, fruit notes, and vanilla. It coats the mouth with a good amount of heat. Sweet, molasses, spicy. The finish is long as the spice gradually fades. For those who enjoy high-proof whiskies, it's a definite recommendation.