Review: J.W. Dant Bourbon
Review: J.W. Dant Bourbon
First, for your consideration, a bit of history: Joseph Washington Dant was a well-known Kentucky distiller who in 1836 gained a reputation for making his whisky using a log still. For those not versed in the distillation arts, that’s essentially a hollowed out tree trunk with copper piping running through the center. The logs would then be filled with mash and steam would run through the copper pipe for the distilling process. Dant would go on to own a proper distillery some 40 years later, and generations of his family would continue to work in the industry. Eventually they would honor his legacy with a bottle bearing his name in the late ’50s. The brand would stay in the family name until Heaven Hill purchased it in 1993; the bottle has stayed in Heaven Hill’s core lineup since, though it is no longer made in a log. (No age statement is offered.)
And now the tasting: At first, Dant seems promising. A fresh, neat pour offers up traces of orange, spices, and a bit of smoke on the nose; ideal for cocktails for the forthcoming autumn season. The first sip and swish ease in with a bit of the usual suspects: vanilla, caramel, and oak, but then follow up with an absolute knockout punch of heat and alcohol which linger until the (somewhat) short, oaky finish. Nothing really changes much over the duration of a glass. It mellows with a bit of ice, but the song remains the same.
Overall it’s not an unpleasant experience, but definitely not a stand-up memorable tasting event either. It’s a bit like that very odd dating situation where things went fine and nothing went wrong, but considering the field is wide open and plenty of options remain available, a second date might happen only with a bit of reluctance. Heaven Hill would be well served in re-tooling the brand to compete on a pedigree with other big names like Stagg, Parker’s, and Booker’s. It’s the least it can do for a man who contributed much to the advancement of bourbon. He certainly deserves the consideration.
80 proof.
B / $18 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
J.W. Dant Bourbon
$18
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You might try the Bottled-in-Bond variety of Dant. I find it a very good bourbon flavor. Has to be at least 4 years old for the BIB version.
I most certainly will keep an eye out for it. I’m based in KY, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to stumble upon. Perhaps that could be the start of the re-branding idea? Probably not..but nevertheless thanks for the tip!
Where can I purchase a case of JW DANT Bottled in bond?
where can I purchase a case of j w dant bottled in bond.
If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon bottles that say distilled and bottled at DSP-KY-31 and not distilled at dsp-ky-1 and bottled at dsp-ky-31 then the juice in them is pre-fire Heaven Hill juice.
My husband and I recently found and old unopened bottle of J.W. Dant.
J.W. Dant
Genuine Sour Mash
100 Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distilled and Bottled by The Dant Distillary Company
Frankfort, KY & Louisville, KY
Tax stamp is green and says Spring 1968 and Fall 1974
Its a one quart bottle.
Back in the early 1960s I used to drink a lot of J,W, Dant10 year old. It was very common then, When did they stop aging it 10 years?
Supply and demand — as the demand for bourbon has gone up, supplies have shrunk, and age statements have slowly disappeared as distilleries turn to younger stock…
Joseph W. Dant was my GG Grandfather, he started it all w/”Stump” whiskey long before 1836. My Great-Grandfather was James W. Dant, HE developed the ‘sour mash’ process in 1836. The Dant’s & beams intermarried, so I am a direct decendent of both family’s. I’ve heard the history all my life & I do believe I know what i’m talking about.
Thanks for the info. You are a descendant of two great families. Mr great grandfather made White County white lightning between Cookeville and Sparta,TN.
I have a sealed quart bottle J W Dant Special Reserve 100 proof 1972.. What can you tell me about it. Is it anything special? Thanks rdleftysatmsndotcom
it was bottled by Schenley in 1972. The special reserve was somewhat of a marketing play on the traditional BIB. robably can get some money for it since its vintage bourbon. if interested let me know.
I have a half pint, unopened bottle of JW Dant Genuine Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is 86 proof. It belonged to my Dad and was given to him as a gift many years ago. My Mom recently found it while going through some of his things. The red tax stamp is numbered 444466019. Can anyone give me any information about it? I would really appreciate it.
This site can help: https://whiskeyid.com/how-to-date-id-your-whiskey/
I first tried this many years ago when a fiend gave me a faith for Christmas.
I found it to be an excellent sipping whiskey without the often bitter sharpness of Jack Danial’s.
It has a stand a lone flavor that requires little accompanies other than the optional serving over the rocks.