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Jack Daniels recently launched its first ever permanent single malt whisky. Available in 1 liter bottles in select duty free stores around the world, this 100% malted grain whiskey marks a new era for the Old No. 7 brand.
Tennessee whiskey, as a rule, must be charcoal filtered before entering the barrel. This is one of the 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 that Jack Daniel’s adheres to with its base whiskey.
Although this is an American single malt that I am reviewing, it will follow Jack’s standard practice, meaning that this bill of 100% malted barley mash, after being milled, fermented and distilled at Lynchburg, Tennessee, is mellowed with charcoal then aged in new and charred American oak barrels before being finished in Oloroso Sherry barrels.
“When we began experimenting with a 100% malt grain bill in 2012, we knew it would be essential to put our own stamp on the timeless traditions of Single Malt and create something that was unique to Jack Daniel’s,” said Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel’s, in a Prepared Statement at the time of its release. “There was a lot of excitement around our special limited edition American Single Malt 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 cask. Oloroso is a wine made from palomino grapes. The special grape allows for a special type of oxidative aging. As a result, alcohol is added, preventing the development of “flower veil» and allow the wine to age while being exposed to oxygen. The result is a wine that is both structured and complex.
Jack Daniel’s has provided the following tasting notes. Rich and complex with aromas of soft oak, fruit and cocoa with hints of nuts and berries coated in dark chocolate with a subtle and smooth Oloroso Sherry finish. Distinctive packaging includes a cork stopper and embossed distillery stamp from the first registered distillery in the United States.
Jack Daniel’s increases its special releases every year and is now expanding its permanent range with this American Single Malt. With the formal adoption of American Single Malt as a defined whiskey type, Jack Daniel’s is devoting a lot of energy to this permanent product. With that, let’s move on to the glass.
We review Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt, the famous Tennessee distillery’s latest entry into the burgeoning American Single Malt category. (image via Jack Daniel’s)
Tasting notes: Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt
Vital Stats: 90 proofs; 100% malted cereals; $100 recommended price of 1 L.
Appearance: Dark amber, almost mahogany.
Nose: Cherry and oak in front, it is warm and very inviting. Milk honey, molasses sugar, lead and tannins from the sherry barrel. The red wine background finishes off the nose nicely.
Taste: Rich pipe smoke up front mellows into sugars, cherries, dried oak and red grapes. The wine notes start to really shine through and a hint of medium roast coffee. The profile holds through the mid-palate with a combination of pipe smoke and sherry wine before moving forward to the finish. The finish is short in comparison and quickly fades from the tongue before leaving only a sprig of oak. There is, however, a strong burning sensation in the chest, which peaks sharply before fading.
