Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof – Drink of the Week

Bottled between 125 and 140 proof, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is the newest (and most potent) addition to the JD Family. Arriving on shelves in August 2015 all across the U.S. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is something that Jack Daniel’s fans have been waiting for for quite some time.

To create Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof they didn’t rewrite the handbook. In fact, Barrel Proof is crafted using the same cave spring water from the Jack Daniel’s Hollow, proprietary yeast and charcoal-mellowing process that’s been used in the distillery’s nearly 150-year-old Tennessee Whiskey recipe. From there, the liquid enters a charred White American Oak barrel, forged within Jack Daniel’s very own cooperage and set to age in the upper regions of the barrelhouse. In this resting place, the whiskey is exposed to the extreme temperature variations that a Lynchburg, Tennessee season brings. The interaction of the whiskey, the wood and the environment creates nuances from barrel to barrel to bring out distinct flavor profiles that transcend the expected to become ‘Barrel Proof.’

When whiskey is bottled and finds its way to people like you and I, it is typically cut down with water between 80 and 90 proof to make the experience more enjoyable to the average consumer. This also helps the whiskey go a lot further when bottling. In recent years the popularity of “barrel strength” or “barrel proof” whiskies has been off the charts among whiskey aficionados. Opinions left aside, barrel proof whiskey is the truest version of whiskey that comes out of any warehouse, and is something that only master distiller and his blenders are usually privy to.

“As master distiller at Jack Daniel’s, I get the privilege of traveling to the top floors of our barrelhouses in Lynchburg and hand drilling individual barrels. This provides me the rare opportunity to taste Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey in its purest form; unfiltered and uncut, I’m always amazed at the intensity of the aromas and the deep amber colors, and yet at the same time, the exceptional smoothness of the whiskey at this higher proof point. After years of thinking about and discussing a barrel proof offering from Jack Daniel’s, we believe that now is the perfect time to make this available to all of our friends around the world. I’m confident that everyone will be as impressed as I was the first time I tasted this unique form of Single Barrel whiskey.” -Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller.

As we have a habit of doing, recently we were given the opportunity to taste and review Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof before it was released to the public. We were flattered to have to chance to sip this truly unique whiskey. The samples were small, but the taste was not. Here’s what we discovered…

• Proof: 134.6 (67.3% ABV)
• Age: No Age Statement
• Appearance: Dark amber, brownish-orange
• Nose: Oak, vanilla, caramel
• Flavors: Oak, vanilla, char, wood, caramel
• Price: $65.99 USD (750ml.)

Sourced from Warehouse 2-45; 4th floor and bottled at 134.6 proof our samples of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof were something to remember.

At first glance the high proof had us excited and the aromas only heightened our curiosity. With a predominate oak aroma and notes of vanilla and char apparent, one thing was 100% certain… this is Jack Daniel’s.

Upon first sip we were expecting a bold, intense tongue-lashing and that’s exactly what we got! But what we didn’t quite expect was how balanced and truly complex this whiskey was. For having such a high proof this barrel proof whiskey doesn’t take your breath away. It starts out fairly intense, and then quickly melts in your mouth with an unapologetic oaky-ness that turns into sweet vanilla and caramel.

Throughout the sip this whiskey is very enjoyable. The finish lingers a bit, but in a good way. Almost begging you to come back for more. The only fault we can find in this barrel proof is that it wasn’t brought to the eager public sooner.

Priced at $65 per bottle, this whiskey is marketed towards consumers with descerning taste and a bit of pocket change. If you have the cash and are looking for a whiskey that won’t let you down, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is well worth the price.

Buy Now: $59.99 or to learn more, go to: JackDaniels.com