Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey

A little background

Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey is the best-selling whiskey in the world. This 80-proof spirit is distilled and bottled in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Mr. Jack Daniel founded his distillery in 1866 which makes it the oldest registered distillery in North America. The mash bill is composed of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Natural fermentation, careful distillation, and iron-free cave spring water, which consistently measures 56 degrees, are credited for producing Jack Daniel’s distinctive flavor. The whiskey is mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal then aged in handcrafted barrels. Following in the steps of Mr. Daniel, the whiskey is judged by the way it looks, tastes, and smells. Bottles of Jack Daniel’s are readily available and can be found at most liquor stores for $23 MSRP.

(Tasted neat from a Cradle Glass)

Color

Amber

Nose

The nose is sweet with banana notes wafting from the glass. Vanilla, oak, corn, and alcohol are also present.

Palate

The first sip is thin, producing a tingle on the front and sides of the tongue. Slight effervescence is accompanied by sour wood and faint char. The second sip reveals pronounced notes of corn, and banana. Faint grass notes were present on the third sip.

Finish

The finish is short and unpleasantly bitter. Oak and banana were the most prominent notes.

In closing

The history of Jack Daniel’s whiskey makes this spirit intriguing. The nose is sweet with an overwhelming banana note. This whiskey has a thin mouth feel accompanied by corn, oak, and banana notes. The bitter finish seems uncharacteristic when considering the sweet nose. Overall, the availability, price, and popularity make this Tennessee Whiskey worth keeping on the bar, if only to make a Jack & Coke for your whiskey loving friends.