Jack Daniels - 10 Year - Tennessee Whiskey - Batch 10-001
$70
Jack Daniels – 10 Year – Tennessee Whiskey – Batch 10-001
Proof: 97
Age: 10 Year
Distillery: Jack Daniels
Type: Tennessee Whiskey
Mash: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye (Assumed)
Website: Jack Daniels
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Caramel, Charred Oak, and a mixture of Light and Dark Fruits – Apple, Apricot and Red Grapes. Lightly Tanned Leather.
Taste/Palate: Starts off with subtle spice, Rye Spice and All Spice accompanied by Candy Apple. The Midpalate brings a mature note of Charred Oak.
Finish: This finishes on the sweeter side. Caramel, Sweet Apple blended with Charred Oak, Pipe Tobacco, and Dark Fruits.
Verdict: This follows the classic Jack Daniels Profile, however I didn’t get the banana flavor that I commonly see. Instead the Banana is left behind and replaced with more mature notes that you’d expect out of a 10 year and Apple that I haven’t experienced in a JD product yet. This was very well done and I enjoyed it from start to finish. If you can find this for MSRP I don’t think you would be disappointed. If you are disappointed hit me up in the contact me section and I’ll take it off of your hands. I don’t think this is a top whiskey of the year contender, but its very well done and it wouldn’t surprise me if it catches the palate of some judges.
The Story: I was sitting at a nice spot in Eastern WI (Courthouse Pub and Grill in Manitowoc) waiting for the ferry ride over to Michigan and decided on a tasty lunch. I just so happened to look over at the bottles they had and I saw the Jack Daniels 10 year. I got the last pour in the bottle so it was quite healthy. I took that opportunity to do my review and snap a photo from the bar because I have yet to see this as I’m out and about. From what I can tell in the forums this one is sought after and I can understand why. So if you’re wondering if that bottle in the picture is empty. I can assure you that it is.
The Distillery’s Story: I’m sure you’ve all heard of Jack Daniels. There’s 100s of songs about Jack, Tennessee whiskey, etc. I’ll keep the story of the distillery short and sweet. Where Jack Daniels is unique… Is it a Bourbon? This is a topic not discussed in country songs or on Jack Daniels ads. There’s a whiskey aficionado debate as to whether Jack Daniels is bourbon or not. Technically…. Jack Daniels checks all the boxes to be considered Bourbon. Where they vary, they do a unique Process where they filter their white dog through a 10 foot column of Maple Sugar charcoal to smooth everything out before dumping into a barrel to age. They call that process “mellowing”. This is what makes them unique.
Now back to the question. Is Jack Daniels a Bourbon? The answer is this… Jack Daniels doesn’t want to be considered Bourbon. They want to be classified as “Tennessee Whiskey” even if they check all the Bourbon boxes. They even went as far as to lobby the federal government to prevent them to be FORCED to classify their product as Bourbon. I do think that it’s important to note that Jack Daniel’s is following the same playbook that Bourbon is using. Different Mashes, Bonded, High Proof offerings, Special Editions, and labeled high age statements. Some of these things are new and mirror what you would see out of the bourbon distilleries.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price.
Reviewer: David S
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