Fafnir187
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
Tennessee Whiskey — Tennessee, USA
Reviewed
June 29, 2020 (edited September 21, 2020)
I was expecting the signature JD banana note in the nose but getting something else entirely; cherry cola, barrel char, pistachio nut, and corn dust. Overall the aroma is very mild.
On the palate, take those exact same notes from the nose and add vanilla which actually is not a bad thing because they are all pretty good notes and there is some decent richness here. Rounded flavor with no rough edges. Finish is short, featuring cinnamon and barrel spices with an extra sprinkle of charcoal. Not very original; feels like I’ve tasted this profile or very close to it many times before. Mouthfeel is decently full and not dry at all.
I was pleasantly surprised at this JD offering; make no mistake folks, this is VERY different from the “Old No. 7” of so many drunken teenage years and “jack and cokes”. This is actual sipping whiskey. It does suffer from a lack of complexity, simple flavor profile, and short finish, but...it’s alright. Now on the 800lb elephant in the room; the price. This is CRAZY at $43. CRAZY. (Thank god I only paid $5 for an airplane bottle) I hate to harp on price, but I have to because this is $20-25 stuff, tops. So what would normally get a 3.75 if properly priced gets bumped all the way down to a 3.25. Guess we know why this is always available on every shelf in the country.
43.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Ctrexman And mint! Haha I agree with you on that one. So funny that I do exactly that; starting lower proof and saving the higher proof stuff for the end of the night. Cheers!
I hear you high proofs can get too hot. I find it best to warm up the palate with standard proof whiskey then transition to barrel to really get the most out of it. Everyone has their tolerance for the high heat. I couldnt deal with Rare breed it was all pepper and hot masking the taste
@Ctrexman My dude, I tried it and found it to be rocket fuel (and I love barrel proof whiskey) Maybe I got a bad barrel? But this was also during an “anti-water” phase I was going through where I was determined to drink everything 100% neat regardless of proof, so I think I will try it again and if I still find it hot will add a little water this time. :)
The single barrel barrel proof is on another level and easily one of the best American whiskies out there if you get a chance to try
@Ivan-Mironov Thanks! I hear your comment about pricing, but cost always plays a role in my overall rating. For example, would I rather have JD Single Barrel Select for $43, or Rowan’s Creek for $42? Rowans by a mile. Doesn’t mean JDSBS is awful, just not as good as others you can get at the price point. Cheers!
I think it's unfair to bump down this bottle because you feel like its over priced.. simply because I had a worst pour for a bigger buck while I was exploring other american whiskeys for example bernheim 7 or old ezra also price depends on where you are located.. otherwise well reviewed !