Jack Daniel’s once had several age-statement releases, from 10 all the way up to 21 years. But that pre-dated Prohibition, and once Tennessee got out of Prohibition — four years after most of the rest of the country — they were already behind in aged whiskey production.
While a nod to the brand’s very distant past, the 10-Year release marks some changes: It utilizes the same mashbill (80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye) that you’re going to find in most JD releases, but this release was sourced from barrels on the top floors of their warehouses, which were then moved to cooler environs for the final two years, a process the brand has rarely (or possibly never) done before.
Coming in at 97 proof, the 10 Year is unmistakably Jack Daniel’s on the nose, but with more notes of dried fruits on the palate (the notes of banana you’d find from the Old No. 7 aren’t present here). Raisin, molasses and butterscotch become more apparent with each sip, with the oak shining through. It’s a drier, less sweet feel, but there’s a complexity that’ll work well in cocktails far more elevated than a Jack and Coke.
750ml
