Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is a bottle I always have in the house. It’s affordable, easy to find, and delivers those familiar notes of sweet vanilla, caramel, and ripe banana. Whether you drink it neat, over ice, or mixed with Coke, there’s a reason it remains one of the world’s most popular whiskeys.
But what if you fancy a change? There are plenty of whiskeys that offer something similar to Old No. 7, whether that’s its sweetness, approachable character, or value for money.
Here are five bottles worth trying if you want to branch out without straying too far from what you already enjoy.
For Neat Drinkers: Old Forester 100 Proof, 50%, $24
Trading up to something at a higher proof from the neighboring state of Kentucky is a solid option. You’ve probably seen Old Forester 100 Proof sitting alongside the massive range of Jack Daniel’s bottles on liquor store shelves. Next time, it’s worth picking one up.
Old Forester 100 Proof has those familiar sweet vanilla and caramel notes, although perhaps not quite as much of the banana bread character you get with Jack Daniel’s. It’s still a welcoming and surprisingly easy sipper at 50% ABV.
Higher proof can initially scare people into thinking a whiskey isn’t for them. But even without the classic Jack Daniel’s charcoal mellowing process, Old Forester 100 Proof remains an approachable and wallet-friendly purchase.
For Chaser Drinkers: Benchmark Old No. 8, 40%, $16
This bottle used to be almost completely ignored in the UK, even when we told people it came from Buffalo Trace. At around $16 for a 750ml bottle, though, it’s hard to turn down. I’ve even seen it priced as low as $10 in the US.
If you’re a whiskey drinker who enjoys a shot alongside a beer, Benchmark Old No. 8 is a flavorful, low-cost option. It’s full of green apple and sweet caramel notes, with a softly spicy edge that gives it a little more character.
There’s also plenty of welcoming barrel spice and toasted oak to round out those classic bourbon flavors.
It’s similar to Jack Daniel’s in the ways that matter most here: great value, an easy-drinking character, and plenty of flavor for the money. Benchmark just brings a slightly different edge to the experience.
For Mixers: George Dickel No. 8, 40%, $25
Back to Tennessee now for Jack’s biggest local rival!
George Dickel No. 8 balances wonderfully buttery corn notes with darker flavors of maple syrup and heavily charred oak.
When you mix it with Coke, or whatever your mixer of choice happens to be, those sweet, slightly earthier notes stand out a little more than they do with Old No. 7. That’s not a bad thing. You’re simply getting more of the oak and whiskey character coming through, even in a mixed drink.
Jack and Coke is a drink I get cravings for throughout the year, and after trying the same combination with Dickel No. 8, it made perfect sense as an alternative.
It’s a similarly priced Tennessee whiskey with a slightly different mash bill and flavor profile. Familiar enough to replace your usual Jack and Coke, but distinctive enough to make the change worthwhile.
For Experimental Drinkers: Maker’s Mark 46, 47%, $34
Now, this might not seem particularly radical or experimental, but if you’re used to charcoal-mellowed, rye-influenced Tennessee whiskey, Maker’s Mark 46 offers something quite different.
Maker’s Mark is a wheated Kentucky bourbon, meaning it uses wheat rather than rye as its secondary grain. Maker’s Mark 46 also undergoes additional maturation with seared French oak staves, giving it a richer character. Bottled at 47% ABV, it’s still firmly within an affordable price range.
I love wheated bourbon, and Maker’s 46 is a great trade-up option if you’re looking for something richer overall, with a bigger, longer-lasting flavor profile.
You still get caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla, but there are also wonderful notes of chocolate, coffee, and dried fruit that remind me of sherry-matured single malt Scotch.
It’s an excellent bourbon in its own right, but it’s also a great option if you want to explore something a little different in the American whiskey landscape.
For Adventurous Drinkers: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, 64%+, $64
Okay, so we’re finishing with another Jack Daniel’s, only this time it’s considerably more expensive. Hear me out.
The familiar flavor of Old No. 7 comes from blending whiskey from multiple barrels and reducing it to 40% ABV. But what happens when you take an individual barrel and bottle it at its natural strength?
That’s where Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof comes in.
It’s nearly three times the price of Old No. 7, but it has so much more to offer. And given its considerable strength, it’s probably not something you’ll reach for every day.
This whiskey is loaded with warming barrel spice, toasted oak, vanilla, and rich brown sugar, followed by a finish that seems to go on forever.
If you love Jack’s core expression and the flavors that have made it famous around the world, this is a fantastic way to experience them at a much greater intensity.
It’s still unmistakably Jack Daniel’s, just with the volume turned all the way up.
Which Whiskey Should You Try First?
The beauty of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is that it doesn’t ask much of you. It’s affordable, familiar, and enjoyable in just about any setting. Fortunately, you don’t have to give up those qualities to explore something new.
If you drink your Jack neat, Old Forester 100 Proof is an excellent place to start. For an affordable everyday alternative, Benchmark Old No. 8 offers plenty of value, while George Dickel No. 8 makes a natural substitute for your usual Jack and Coke.
Maker’s Mark 46 is the one to try if you’re ready for something richer and a little different. And if you want to discover just how much flavor Jack Daniel’s can deliver, Single Barrel Barrel Proof is well worth exploring.
You don’t have to abandon your favorite whiskey to appreciate something else. Try a few of these at a bar before committing to a bottle, and see which one earns a place alongside your Old No. 7.
