TL;DR
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is a dependable, approachable, and affordable whiskey that’s perfect for beginners or for mixing in cocktails. It’s not the most complex option for seasoned whiskey drinkers, but its smooth, classic profile and historic significance make it a must-try for anyone starting their whiskey journey.
The Vast World Of Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s is one of the world’s foremost whiskey brands. Founded in 1866 by Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel’s, the brand has become a worldwide phenomenon, with Old No.7 to be found on supermarket shelves across the globe. I am willing to bet that almost everyone who indulges in alcohol has tried a Jack & Coke.
Today, the extensive Jack Daniel’s range includes a variety of flavored whiskeys (including Tennessee Honey and Tennessee Apple) as well as limited-edition bottlings such as the Bonded Series and the Single Barrels. Old No.7, though, is the old reliable.
Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 was the first ever release from the brand and constituted the public’s introduction to Jack Daniel’s staple charcoal-mellowing process.
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Context Is Key
When discussing Jack Daniel’s Old No.7, context is key. As is the case with our recent review of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is not necessarily marketed towards seasoned American whiskey enthusiasts. Rather, it is an approachable, affordable, and palatable expression that is great for use in cocktails, or to help somebody begin their whiskey drinking journey.
If you are a whiskey connoisseur, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 probably will not present you with the complexity you are looking for. It will not blow you away. However, if you are dipping your toes into the world of American whiskey for the first time, you can’t really go wrong with a Jack Daniel’s Old No.7.
With that being said, I love Jack Daniel’s Old No.7, and I have tried more than my fair share of whiskies. It really is just dependent on palate, and expectations going into the tasting.
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How Much Is Jack Daniel’s Old No.7?
The Whiskey Wash’s Compare Tool allows you to keep constant track of the best prices for Jack Daniel’s Old No.7, with prices updated daily.
US: Currently, you can pick up a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 online for just $14.
UK: You can pick up a bottle in most supermarkets in the UK. Sainsbury’s currently has bottles on offer for £22.
How Is Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 Made?
Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is distilled from the brand’s signature mash bill of 80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye. After being ground down, the grains are mixed with iron-free water from the Hollow for mashing.
Jack Daniel’s is also a proud advocate of the sour mash process, which involves adding fermented mash from a previous batch of whiskey to the new batch. This helps to control pH and consistency across batches. Following a six-day fermentation, the mash is distilled in a large copper pot still.
Once the whiskey is distilled to 140 proof, it then undergoes a process that Jack Daniel’s calls ‘The Extra Blessing’, although you may know it as the ‘Lincoln County Process’ or ‘Charcoal Mellowing’. Every drop of clear, unaged Jack Daniel’s whiskey is poured into a charcoal-mellowing vat and slowly filters through over a period of 3-5 days. It is said that this process removes impurities (a property that charcoal is known for) and results in JD’s distinctive smoothness. Much of the charcoal used for mellowing comes from hard sugar maple pallets, which are set ablaze at the distillery and raked over until cool and ready to mellow the whiskey.
Next, the mellowed new-make spirit is decanted into American white oak casks. As JD has always said, “It’s ready when it’s ready.” Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is usually around 4 to 5 years of age and is bottled when it reaches the desired flavor profile.
What Do The Reviews Say?
Serge Valentin – WhiskyFun
Serge Valentin, the founder of WhiskyFun, is one of the world’s most esteemed whisky reviewers, known for his refined palate developed through tasting and critiquing an extensive range of whiskies.
Having reviewed Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 numerous times over the years, his most recent tasting was in August 2024. He awarded the whiskey 72 points out of 100, saying:
“Each time I see a bottle, I can’t help but think of Keith Richards, and wonder if he couldn’t afford something a bit better. Surely, he must have had contracts, dear Keef… Colour: gold. Nose: not much going on, but nothing offensive either. Hints of coconut, nougat, brioche, popcorn, vanilla, and pancake syrup. It’s very mild. Mouth: quite drinkable, as they say in wine. Caramel, popcorn, touches of caramel and nougat, a slight hint of violet liqueur, and a very light structure. The caramel aspect builds up but, in the end, it all remains drinkable. Finish: rather short and more on the plank, alas. Just a bad moment to get through. The aftertaste is somewhat cloying. Comments: it’s not “good,” but I don’t think it’s the absolute horror some occasionally mention.”
Again, though, context is key here. Serge is an extremely experienced reviewer who has sampled some of the oldest, most complex, and most mind-blowing whiskies on the planet. It is not exactly surprising that JD isn’t one of his favorites.
Prettayyprettaygood – Reddit
Given that this review is titled “Review #268” we can assume that this Reddit user knows their way around a bottle of whiskey. Whilst this reviewer ultimately awards Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 a 4 out of 10 (“Not bad, but better exists” by their scoring standards), they also note that:
“I owe Old No. 7 an apology. This is a surprisingly decent pour that is much more complex than the one-dimensional experience that I remember it by. It is obviously a sweet-focused whiskey, but the peppery spice provides a nice balance and there is just enough oak to keep things somewhat interesting.”
Josh Peters – The Whiskey Jug
Josh Peters of The Whiskey Jug awards Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 82 points out of 100. Noting JD’s universal appeal and innate ‘American-ness’, he says:
“I think Jack has its place in the pantheon of American Whiskey and is a great gateway to curiosity about better whiskey. I definitely drank a fair amount of it in my early twenties and it lead to my curiosity about what else was out there in the world of whiskey. It was one of the catalysts that led to my later whiskey obsession and for that it holds a special little place in my liver.”
Has Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Won Any Awards?
Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is a multi-award winning expression, the first of which remains a JD claim to fame.
In 1904 at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, Jack Daniel introduced the Old No.7 to the world. Also at the fear was a demonstration of the Ferris Wheel, an appearance by author and activist Helen Keller, and the introduction of the hot dog. Nobody really expected Jack Daniel to make an impression, but make an impression he did.
Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 was awarded a Gold Medal ahead of 23 other selections for World’s Best Whiskey. This achievement later served as the inspiration for the Jack Daniel’s Gold Medal Series.
The expression later won 6 more Gold Medals in 1905, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1954, and 1981. Many of the brand’s other modern awards have come from The Bartender Spirits Awards where the brand picked up double gold medals, best value awards, and world whisky of the year award.
Should You Try Jack Daniel’s Old No.7
Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is a reliable, sippable, versatile whiskey that, clearly, appeals to the masses. It has endured since its creation, and the original recipe, thought up by Jack Daniel himself, remains the same.
To use a similar analogy to the one we referenced in this Johnnie Walker Blue Label review, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 is like a Toyota Corolla: dependable, widely loved, consistent, and affordable. If all of these qualities are important to you, go ahead and take it for a spin. If you are a car enthusiast, however, it might not possess the right amount of G-force to get you excited.
If you’re just beginning your whiskey journey, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is a must-try. This quintessential Tennessee whiskey is an ideal starting point, offering a classic flavor profile that could ignite your passion for exploring the world of whiskey.
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