Whiskey Review: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Tennessee Rye Whiskey

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. 

In August of this year, Jack Daniel’s launched one of the latest expressions in their Single Barrel Special Release collection, Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Tennessee Rye Whiskey.

Founded by Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel in 1866, the Lynchburg, Tennessee-based Jack Daniel’s Distillery became among the very first registered whiskey distilleries in the US, and still operates in its original city location. Today, it’s owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation, a Kentucky distilling company who purchased the Daniel’s-family owned distillery in 1956.

Bottled at 100 proof, Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Tennessee Rye Whiskey is produced from a mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley. This 2023 limited edition is made from Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey, which has been filtered through a process that’s somewhat unique in the making of Tennessee produced whiskey known as charcoal mellowing. This entails filtering the new juice, or white dog as unaged whiskey is more informally known, through a sugar maple charcoal filter prior to barreling.

It’s then aged first in new American white oak barrels for at least five years before finishing in uniquely crafted heavy-toast proprietary Heritage Barrels for over two years. The Heritage Barrels come from the distillery’s own Jack Daniel Cooperage located in Trinity, Alabama. 

“Our lightly charred and heavily toasted Heritage Barrels showcase the expertise of our cooperage and elevate innovation through the barrel making process,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller in a prepared statement at the time of its release.  “Our unique barrel toasting process and rye grain bill work together to create an extraordinary rye whiskey that marries sweetness with spice. We couldn’t be more excited for our friends to enjoy this special twist on our original Heritage Barrel expression.”  

According to the official tasting notes, the Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye Whiskey offers aromas of toasted oak, light spices, and honey along with flavor notes of oak, vanilla, toasted rye bread, molasses, graham cracker, and brown sugar.