JACK DANIEL’S COY HILL
Barrel No.: 21-08151
139.3 Proof // 69.65% ABV
Appearance: Dark ruby/brown hue. Incredibly thick legs. Love to hold this up to the light. Like the hue of holding black coffee up to the light in a clear glass.
I will say that I held this next to a new bottle of the normal JDSBBP and there was little to no difference. I have heard note that it is “much darker” but I would not necessarily say so. It is dark, but not more than the regular barrel proof.
Nose: Ethanol is there but really isnt punchy. Let is rest a few minutes.
Charred oak is the most impressive characteristic of the nose. The oak notes also smells like if you could brûlée brown sugar on a plank of musty oak wood. Welch’s grape jelly rides out on the first waves of ethanol. Burried beneath is charred oak and burnt sugars. Very very faint nuttiness and cinnamon when you get brave enough to take bigger whiffs. Little to none of the typical JD banana notes.
Taste: Woah. This. Is. Big. (Cue Michael Scott...)
Huge flavor just rolls and expands across the palate on the way to the back of the throat. Rich, oily, viscous. It is “big”, but it isn’t “hot”. I have had much lower proof bourbons bring tears to my eyes, but this does not.
Burnt sugars (cream brûlée crust, charred marshmallow, burnt brownie edges) dominate. Delicious delicious charred oak tannins slap the bass notes on this jam sesh from start to finish. There is something savory at work as well, like sweet teriyaki beef jerky strips. Maybe overripe banana as my mouth acclimates to what is happening.
Finish: Longest finish I’ve ever experienced. ECBP B520 previously held first place for my favorite Kentucky Hug, but this “Tennessee Tackle” is as much or more enjoyable. Long finish. Charred oak, burnt sugars, milk chocolate/cocoa powder, cinnamon stick, and burnt bread finish. Maybe some more of the slight grape jelly notes I got on the nose on the retro nasal.
Overall: This is an experience. This is like trying whiskey again for the first time. Personally, it reminds me of the first time I tried barrel proof bourbon. You dont “treat yourself” to this whiskey. It treats you.
Everything in the nose and on the palate carry through on the finish.
What I love about regular JDSBBP gold label is that it doesn’t get too fancy, but does what it does best with extraordinary power.
This is more “different” than it is “better” than JDSBBP gold label. On that note, if you cant find CHHP go buy Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof.
The Bourbon Judge on YouTube has my favorite comparison. JDSBBP is like Mike Tyson today, you see him on the street, are impressed, and may chance saying “hi”. Coy Hill is like Tyson in his prime with the little black shorts pacing the ring with that crazy look like he might just kill his opponent.
Coy Hill High Proof is a phenomenal experience.
Happy New Year! Coy to the World!