Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Jack Daniel’s recently released its first ever permanent single malt whiskey. Released in a 1-litre bottle across select duty-free shops around the globe, this 100% malted grain whiskey marks a new era for the Old No. 7 brand.
Tennessee whiskey, by rule, must be charcoal filtered before entering the barrel. It is one of the single major differences between Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. Known as the Lincoln County Process, charcoal filtration has been a fundamental part of Tennessee whiskey since its inception. This is a practice Jack Daniel’s adheres to with its core whiskey.
Although this is an American Single Malt I’m reviewing, it will follow the standard practice of Jack, meaning this 100% malted barley mash bill, after it is ground, fermented and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee, is charcoal mellowed and then aged in new, charred American oak barrels before being finished in Oloroso Sherry casks.
“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill back in 2012, we knew it would be critical to put our own stamp on timeless Single Malt traditions and craft something that was uniquely Jack Daniel’s,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher in a prepared statement at the time of its release. “There was a lot of excitement surrounding our limited edition American Single Malt Special Release last year, and we are thrilled to now offer Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt to our friends around the world.”
Oloroso Sherry is a very common finishing barrel. Oloroso is a wine made from palomino grapes. The special grape allows for a special type of oxidative ageing. As a result alcohol is added preventing the development of the “veil of flor” and allowing the wine to age while exposed to oxygen. The result is a wine both structured and complex.
Jack Daniel’s provided the following tasting notes. Rich and complex with aromas of soft oak, fruit, and cocoa with notes of dark chocolate-covered nuts and berries with a subtle, sweet Oloroso Sherry finish. Distinctive packaging features a cork stopper and an embossed distillery stamp of America’s first registered distillery.
Jack Daniel’s has increased its special releases every year and now is expanding it’s permanent range with this American Single Malt. With the formal adoption of American Single Malt as a defined type of whiskey all but a forgone conclusion, Jack Daniel’s is putting a lot of energy into this permanent product. With that, we turn to the glass.
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Tasting Notes: Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt
Vital Stats: 90 proof; 100% malted grain; $100 1L SRP.
Appearance: Dark amber almost mahogany.
Nose: Cherry and oak forward, it is warm and very inviting. Honey suckle, molasses sugar, plumb, and the tannins of the sherry cask. Red wine back ends the nose nicely.
Taste: Rich pipe smoke up front mellowing into sugars, cherries, cured oak, and red grapes. The wine notes start to really come through and a whisp of medium roast coffee. The profile holds through the mid palate with a combo of the pipe smoke and sherry wine before advancing to the finish. The finish is short by comparison, and fades quickly off the tongue before leaving just a wisp of oak. There is a strong burn to the chest however, that crests with a strong peak before fading.
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