A Little Background
Although Jack Daniel’s has been around for generations, the company is becoming notorious for their annual single barrel special releases. For the past few years they have knocked these out of the park with heavy hitting barrels that truly exemplify what a Single Barrel can and should be. The 2021 Special Release Coy Hill High Proof is absolutely no exception.
Master Distiller, Chris Fletcher, notes that “The Coy Hill High Proof is about pushing limits and showcasing unique characteristics of the Jack Daniel Distillery”. These barrels were pulled from the “Buzzards Roost” of Rickhouses #8 and #13 on Coy Hill; the highest point on the Jack Daniel grounds. They come with the typical JD Mash Bill of 80% corn | 12% malted barley | 8% rye, vary in proofs from 137.4 all the way up to 148.3 and retail roughly at $75.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Mahogany
Nose
Dark fruit, sweet cherries- resembling a roasted Bing cherry sauce, cinnamon and allspice, Caramel and oak.
Palate
Warm and sweet. Vanilla, brown sugar and cherry easily balance the heat of the cinnamon spice that this delivers with slight dark chocolate and leather notes.
Finish
Long, with Red Hot candies, honey and cinnamon.
In closing
If you see a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Coy Hill High Proof on the market, buy it. Do not phone a friend, do not go to social media and ask “should I…” just simply do it. At MSRP this is a no brainer, and I would venture to say this Special Release will be one that whiskey enthusiasts seek out for years to come. It is just that good. Coy Hill High Proof does not drink like it is sitting at a proof of 140 and for those that are put off by Jack Daniel’s typical banana notes, you certainly will not be disappointed with this bottle, the taste banana is almost completely nonexistent. Additionally, this is possibly one of the darkest whiskies I have ever seen. It is truly remarkable in so many aspects.
If I came into a case of this, I would grab it in a heartbeat.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel 2021 Special Release Coy Hill High Proof
142.1 Proof
The Good
- Nose
- Viscosity
- Approachable
- Price
The Bad
- Availability
Complexity
7.5
Nose
9
Palate
8
Finish
8.5
Value
9.5
I am surprised you were able to do it neat! Had a couple samples of a 143 proof barrel. While not rip your palate apart hot (but how?!?!) my experiences where elevated by the addition of water. The high alcohol level seemed to evaporate the flavors just as they began hitting my taste buds. The ample amounts of water (think cap fulls not drops) really helped calm the whiskey and let the flavor notes hang out and be dissected a bit better.
I’d score it in the high 8’s. Fun stuff.