Review: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Twice Barreled Tennessee Rye

Review: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Twice Barreled Tennessee Rye

Review: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Twice Barreled Tennessee Rye

Jack Daniel’s 13th Distillery Series release — available only at the distillery — is here, and it’s one of the more unique and intriguing releases from the brand. First, it’s branded as a “Tennessee Rye,” which isn’t a protected term but which trades on JD’s longstanding production of Tennessee whiskey, which is technically a form of bourbon. The whiskey starts as standard JD Rye, made from a mashbill of 70% rye, 12% malted barley, and 18% corn. Like Old No. 7, this rye undergoes charcoal mellowing before it is matured in new, charred oak barrels. After maturation (time unstated), it finishes for an additional two and a half years in a second new, charred oak barrel, which effectively doubles up on the oak influence.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Twice Barreled Tennessee Rye Review

Judging from the very dark color of the spirit, it’s immediately apparent that this is going to be a very different experience from what one normally gets out of Lynchburg. Sure enough, the nose offers the most aggressively woody aroma I’ve ever encountered in the history of Jack Daniel’s: powerfully nutty and toasty. That it’s rye instead of bourbon only makes things more impactful, as the initial rush of wood is backed up by plenty of cloves, allspice, and red pepper — almost bordering on paprika. It never lets up, pouring spice on top of spice.

On the palate, char remains dominant and overlaid on top of everything, but the whiskey evolves into some new directions, showcasing chocolate and tea leaf, then more cloves and a nutmeg character. The finish makes room for mint to pair with the chocolate, providing a wintry quality that again works well with the hearty, immersive wood that surrounds you throughout the experience.

It’s a very different and unexpected whiskey from JD that manages to be both bold and approachable at the same time.

107 proof.

A- / $42 (375ml) [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Jack Daniel's Distillery Series Twice Barreled Tennessee Rye

USD42
9

Rating

9.0/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

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