American

The Ultimate Review: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

$20

OVERALL
RATING

6

The Ultimate Review: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

Cinnamon-flavored whiskey, such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, occupies a big subsection of the market at the moment.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
A combination of classic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 with a spicy, cinnamon liqueur that can make everything feel warm and toasty as winter rolls in.
Appearance:
Classic Whisky Colour.
Nose:
Much like the Tennessee Honey, this is a perfect fit for you if you’re a fan of cinnamon, and all things autumnal/wintery. The whisky is very masked by the aromas of cinnamon, but again, not a bad thing if that’s what you’re looking for.
Palate:
the whisky makes an appearance here, much like with the Tennessee Honey. The cinnamon does balance out quite well with the warmth of the whisky, you get this nice even approach from both sides. it’s soft, approachable, and seems like it would work really well in all forms of whisky drinking.
Finish:
It’s a little short when it comes to the whisky, the cinnamon still pushes through. Oddly enough there is a nice sugary end to this, it’s almost like a classic ring donut with that sprinkling of sugar and a little wave of cinnamon.
Comments:
I feel okay about this one as a drink, but I much prefer the Tennessee Honey as an option. However, this is a remarkably popular bottle of spirit across the world. Cinnamon is a very in demand flavour right now.

Important Stats 

Mash Bill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye
Maturation: New, charred, white oak barrels
Blending: Blended with cinnamon
Age: Not stated, around 4-5 years
ABV: 35%
Price: $20

Overall Comments 

Cinnamon is something of a love-it-or-hate-it flavor, especially when combined with whiskey. The two together can feel like something of an attack on the senses. With that being said, cinnamon-flavored whiskey, such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, occupies a big subsection of the market at the moment. Many turn to this type of liqueur in the colder months as it has an air of autumnal spice and coziness about it. 

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Of course, if you are a big whiskey or bourbon fan with something of a refined palate, the likelihood is that this won’t hit the mark for you. However, if you can appreciate the novelty and comfort of a cinnamon whiskey liqueur, then go right ahead. 

For me, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is just ‘okay’, and is probably my least favorite of Jack Daniel’s flavored range. However, there is no denying that there is an appetite for this on the market. Younger people with more of a penchant for flavored spirits seem to enjoy it particularly. 

If you are a whiskey enthusiast, just don’t go in expecting nuance and complexity. Instead, approach it bearing in mind that the predominant flavor will definitely be cinnamon. Anything else you can find in there is a bonus. 

How Is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Made?

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is a bold and spicy twist on the brand’s classic Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. It all starts with the same time-honored process used for their original whiskey, blending a mash of corn, rye, and malted barley with pure, iron-free water from the Cave Spring Hollow. 

After distillation, the whiskey is mellowed drop by drop through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal—a signature step known as the Lincoln County Process—which gives it that smooth, signature character. Then, it’s aged in charred American white oak barrels to develop those rich, familiar flavors of caramel and vanilla.

But here’s where it gets fiery: Tennessee Fire takes this classic whiskey and blends it with a cinnamon liqueur made from natural cinnamon flavors. The liqueur adds a sweet yet bold kick to the smoothness of the whiskey. 

When Was Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Launched? 

The Jack Daniel’s flavored range.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire was initially introduced in April 2014 as a limited release in Tennessee, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Following a positive reception, it expanded to additional states later that year. By March 2015, Tennessee Fire was available nationwide across the United States. 

It sits alongside Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey in the flavored range. 

The Thing With Flavored Whiskeys – Perhaps Cinnamon In Particular 

As mentioned in the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple review, flavored whiskeys are often looked down upon by whiskey enthusiasts. And sure, if you are used to sampling high-quality single malts or aged bourbons then flavored whiskey, perhaps cinnamon in particular won’t be right for you. Cinnamon is a powerful flavor, after all. 

With that being said, cinnamon whiskey is probably (almost definitely) not aimed at these types of drinkers. It is far better suited to, well – people who like cinnamon for one, and to those without preconceived notions of what whiskey should be. 

Additionally, it is a liqueur, meaning that its lower ABV might be more palatable for those not used to drinking strong spirits. It can also serve as a gateway to trying regular whiskey rather than a whiskey liqueur. Flavored whiskeys are a great way to welcome new drinkers into the fold. 

So, if Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is not for you then that’s okay. But clearly, it appeals to someone. 

What Do The Reviews Say? 

Predictably, the reviews available online for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire are written by whiskey lovers. The consensus is as you would expect – it ranges from okay to downright awful. Again, take these with a pinch of salt. If you’ve never tried Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, give it a whirl. 

Now, let’s take a look at a couple of said reviews. 

TOModera, on Reddit, held no bars when it came to reviewing Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire: “[D]id you get someone who isn’t a fan of Cinnamon to put this together? Or did you have some casks that broke after 3 years and a day? This isn’t even worth it compared to other flavoured whiskies, other Jack Daniel’s products (except for the honey that was somehow worse), and even compared to other cinnamon-flavoured alcohols.

“Want a gag gift, and you’ve already forced whiskey stones on some poor whiskey fan too many times? Well then this is for you. Otherwise it’s a skip.”

However, as one Redditor points out in the comments: “This stuff is best used to supplement your light beer drinking on the weekends while watching sports or hanging with friends. Throw it in the freezer and sip as needed. A cut above Fireball imo…” 

It is worth mentioning that Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fireball is not necessarily best served neat. Unless you really love cinnamon, I guess. In fact, JD recommends serving this chilled if you would like to drink it neat. 

Serge Valentin, of WhiskyFun, is one of the most respected whiskey reviewers in the world, having reviewed quite literally thousands of expressions since establishing his website. He is, at best, indifferent about Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire: “[P]erhaps a spoonful in some herbal tea? No proper jack that I can detect. Score is anecdotal once more, the only thing I’m sure about is that this is way, way better than Fireball. Not much of an achievement, really. – 65 points.” 

How To Enjoy Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

The Cinnamon Smashed Apple cocktail. Credit: Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel’s recommends enjoying Tennesee Fire chilled, perhaps even with a chilled glass. However, if sipping cinnamon whiskey neat isn’t your thing, the brand also recommends making a Cinnamon Smashed Apple: 

Ingredients:

  • 30 ml Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire®
  • 30 ml sour mix or lemon-lime simple syrup
  • Apple cider (to top)
  • Fresh apple slices dusted with cinnamon spice (optional)


Method:

  1. Fill a tumbler with ice.
  2. Pour in Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire and sour mix (or lemon-lime simple syrup).
  3. Top with apple cider.
  4. Give the drink a brief, gentle swirl to mix.
  5. Garnish with fresh apple slices dusted with cinnamon spice (optional).


If you like a classic Jack and Coke, Tennessee Fire slots right in—cinnamon and cola are already great flavor partners. But if you want to turn up the spice, swap the Coke for ginger beer or ginger ale for an extra kick.

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Try using Tennessee Fire as a wash in an Old Fashioned or even adding a dash to a Manhattan. A wash means coating the inside of the glass with a small amount of liquid, then draining the excess—kind of like how absinthe is used in a Sazerac. It won’t overpower the drink, but it’ll leave behind just enough warmth and aroma to make things interesting.

Is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Comparable To Fireball?

Yes and no—it depends on what you’re looking for. Fireball is a cinnamon liqueur with a strong Canadian whisky base, bottled at 33%. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, on the other hand, is slightly stronger at 35% ABV and is built around Jack Daniel’s classic Tennessee Whiskey.

One key difference is how the brands suggest serving them. Jack Daniel’s encourages drinking Tennessee Fire neat or on the rocks, while Fireball leans towards being served straight from the freezer. Chilling a spirit that much can mute a lot of its flavors, especially in whisky, even when additional flavorings and sugars are in the mix.

On paper, they’re both cinnamon-flavoured spirits, so they seem similar. But as with all things whisky (or whisky-inspired), the real difference comes down to taste. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire delivers a balance of spice and smoothness, whereas Fireball is a bit more on the sweet and syrupy side. If you’re after a bolder, whiskey-forward kick, Tennessee Fire might be the better pick.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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