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While Jack Daniel's is a household name with its flagship jousting with with Jim Beam for the top spot in global sales, there are many who have never heard of their other releases. Jack Daniel's Single barrel lineup consists of a Tennessee Whiskey (bourbon) at barrel and 90 proof, a Rye also at Barrel proof, and Heritage and Single Barrel 100 at 50% ABV. Single Barrel Barrel Proof was the first of the lineup, released in 2015, and aims to deliver a traditional Jack Daniel's flavor profile. While single barrels are often both praised and criticized for their variability, the Jack team seems to be able to keep selected barrels remarkably consistent through methodical tasting-based selection.
🛒Sourced: $68.99 - Total Wine, GA 750ml - normally closer to $60, a gift from my Mother-in-Law. Price-wise they sit between Jack Daniel's bonded lineup and their age stated premium series releases. I'm seeing some store picks around $65.
🧪Proof: 127.7 proof, 63.85% ABV - Some of these get quite high as they are barreled without dilution. These barrels are only aged on top floors and often pass 130 proof with some reaching as much as 140.
🎨Color: R6 - Deep dark red-brown, looking awfully syrupy!
Each bottle is labeled with the aging location and bottling date. This particular bottle is from warehouse 2-38 and was bottled on 1/24/25. Given it was purchased in early June and allowing time for distribution, it seems like they're moving pretty well even at TW's up-charged price point.
🥔Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
It shares much of its production process with Old No.7 other than the complete lack of dilution and minimal filtering (See our standard Jack Daniel's write-up here).
No age is stated but common conjecture is that it is commonly 18-24 months older than Old No.7 which sits around the 4-year mark. Barrel picks are often in the 6-7 year range.
👃Nose: Bracing and boozy with strong woody sweetness, leaf tobacco, and warm caramel. Heady but very enjoyable once your nose becomes accustomed.
😜Palate: Full feeling and thick on the tongue, a bananas foster explosion. Much like the nose, wood flavors dominate the palate at first, a vanilla syrup explosion with just hit of old wood and corn. The movement comes in two waves. As the vanilla ebbs, I get a more nutty profile - roast walnuts, which yields to a very pleasant bananas foster, complete with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of clove. I would say it drinks slightly under proof; the blade is heated but has no rough edges.
💦Finish: Long, Full, and Flavorful. The banana hits and hangs around for a good while. It's reminiscent of a Belgian Tripel, very similar flavor notes and aftertaste, just very much higher octane. Not scalding, it leaves you with a hearty throat warmth.
🏆 Overall: 7.5/10 - Great, Well Above Average - Jack Daniel's makes good whiskey. Their aged stated lineup has a few bottles in my mental hall of fame while Old No.7 isn't bad but is a bit under proofed. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof does a great job of splitting the difference. For a reasonable price, you get a solid-age, high-ABV, dram full of Tennessee Goodness. If you're a proof-hound, feel free to chase those hazmat bottles, but I tend to prefer the sub 130 proof bottles. I find that it's easier to dig into some of the more fruited notes and the balance of vanillin/wood compounds to be more desirable. Bottom line: for wood go higher proof and fruit go lower proof.
DO NOT ICE THIS ONE (unless you really want to). I find the flavor degrades substantially and it drinks slightly under proof. If you don't need the ABV, the Bonded iteration is quite tasty and will save you money. Might I suggest Benchmark Full Proof or Old Grand-Dad 114 with the brick?
💵Would buy again? Yes - will continue to browse store picks as well.
⚖️Rating Scale:
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws | Struggle to get through the bottle
4 | Serviceable | Mixing or ice recommended.
5 | Good | Drinkable Neat | An agreeable dram indeed.
6 | Very Good | Any flaws offset by interesting flavors | A cut above.
7 | Great | You find yourself reaching for this one often | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Serve to Impress Guests | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite | You guard this bottle jealously.