Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof

Mike Rosen

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World

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June 27, 2023

In 2015 Jack Daniel’s released their first barrel proof selection to be more competitive in a growing market of higher proofed whiskey. In the words of Master Distiller Chris Fletcher, “Like all of our single barrel products, it’s only aged at the top floor of our barrel houses and then selected one by one by our master tasters here at the distillery. What makes barrel proof so special is that no water is added, and very minimal filtration is done in-between the barrel and the bottle”. Like all Jack Daniel’s whiskey, Barrel Proof is distilled at 140 proof and charcoal filtered in the traditional Lincoln County Process. This involves a 3-to-5-day process in which the fresh distillate drips through a 10-foot layer of densely packed sugar maple charcoal that has been doused in unaged Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. Barrel Proof is bottled anywhere from 125 to 140-proof. The bottle I’m reviewing today is at a respectable 129.5 proof which was found on the shelf of my local store. Let’s get to it!

Distillery: Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Proof: 129.5.

Age: NAS

Barrel House : 3.03. Barrel Number: 23-03098. Bottling Date: 3.30.23.

Mash Bill: 80% Corn/ 12% Rye/ 8% Malted Barley.

Price: $68.00 Local.

Appearance: Dark copper.

Nose

First up is sweet toffee, maple, and wood smoke. After about 5 minutes, other notes shine through with vanilla bean and herbal notes of black tea, sage, fennel, and mint with banana rind, apricot, dates, cherry, black pepper, and cedar. At first crack, this bottle was mostly barrel char, and wood smoke, with some toffee and maple. It took about 20 minutes more to open up and reveal what was hiding underneath. After a few days and three pours later, this bottle opened up significantly, with less of a wait.

With a few drops of water: Much more vanilla bean, toffee turns sweeter with more butterscotch, and black tea turns to more of a green tea with dill. Fruit is more forward with the same notes and the spice isn’t as sharp. The cedar turns into more hazelnut and the wood smoke is much more subtle.

Palate

With a viscous mouthfeel, there is a lot of rich toffee, maple, some barrel char, and wood smokiness. Then comes banana rind with a hint of stone fruit, black tea, cloves, vanilla bean, and rich oak. A nice balance of black pepper slowly gains momentum mid sip which is surprisingly reserved given the proof. Chalk it up to that good old maple charcoal filtering. While the palate is not quite as complex as the nose, the flavors are delicious, bold, and well-balanced.

With a few drops of water: Sweeter with more butterscotch and vanilla and a bit more fruit forward. Herbal notes are the same. Black pepper has mellowed and drinks even easier

Finish

Black pepper continues through the finish with tannins of soft tobacco making a quick entrance. Black tea, banana rind, and toffee join the ride until the very end for a very tasty and long finish without any dryness.

With a few drops of water: The finish is the same but with less intensity, but still long and very enjoyable.

Conclusion

Barrel Proof is Jack Daniel’s on steroids though it’s “only” 129.5 proof. I say that half-jokingly but most of the reviews I’ve read for Barrel Proof have been north of 130. I can imagine what Coy Hill is like. Maybe this is the year I’ll find out? Speaking of other reviews, Barrel Proof is usually well received to various degrees but not always. I have friends who love it and some who don’t. Then there are those who aren’t interested in Jack because their only experience was Old No. 7. That was me until I bought a good 94-proof single barrel pick. In any case, I think we can all agree that the same maple charcoal filtering that gives Jack Daniel’s its signature flavor is also what makes it so divisive.

This bottle of Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof is a very good whiskey from start to finish and much more enjoyable served neat than I expected. I didn’t think this bottle needed water added, but I like to see what changes in higher proof whiskeys. The result brought out more toffee and fruitier flavors, slightly changed the herbal notes, and made this an even easier sipper. If you’re already a fan of Jack but haven’t tried it or looking for a different barrel proof whiskey, I suggest trying Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof. Even if your only experience with Jack has been Old No. 7, you might be surprised.

Rating: 7.5/10.