INTRODUCTION
Whisk(e)y is the most diverse kind of spirit we have to date. There is Irish whisky, Scotch Whisky, Kentucky bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, Japanese Whisky, and Canadian Whiskey, among others and the flavour changes are huge. Did you know that 107 countries Worldwide export whisk(e)y? And still, Jack Daniel’s brands are among the most popular whiskies in the world today.
History of Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s is among the most popular and top-selling American whiskeys in the world. It was started in 1885 by Jack Daniel when he was 25 years old. It has been in existence for 140 years and is produced by Jack Daniel’s Distillery, which has been owned by the Brown–Forman Corporation since 1956. The distillery is in Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee. Did you know that Moore County is a “dry county”?
A dry county is a county in the USA whose government forbids the sale of any type of alcoholic beverages. All Tennessee counties are dry by default. However, any county can become “wet” (can sell alcoholic beverages) by passing a county-wide “local option” referendum. Moore County has yet to do that.
In the preparation of Jack Daniel’s, the corn comes from Alabama, the rye from Canada, malted barley from Montana, and water and yeast from Tennessee. The sugar that makes the sugar maple comes from North America which makes charcoal to mellow the whiskey.
Let us look at the different brands of Whiskey/Bourbon coming from the “dry county” by Jack Daniel’s.
JACK DANIEL’S BRANDS
JACK DANIEL’S NO.7
How did Jack Daniel’s get the Old No. 7 on their bottle? According to Daniel’s biographer, the origin of the “Old No. 7” brand name was the number assigned to Daniel’s distillery for government registration.
However, he was forced to change the registration number when the federal government redrew the district and he became Number 16 in District 5 instead of No. 7 in District 4. However, he continued to use his original number as a brand name, since his brand reputation had already been established.
Jack Daniel’s is crafted according to all of the bourbon’s quality standards. However, it undergoes the extra step of mellowing drop by drop through 10 feet of hard sugar maple charcoal. This gives Jack Daniel’s its smooth character and distinctive taste. This process makes Jack Daniel’s a Tennessee whiskey and not a bourbon.
After mellowing, Jack Daniel’s whiskey is matured in new, charred American white oak barrels, from which the whiskey draws its spicy oak notes and its rich, golden colour.
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JACK DANIEL’S FIRE
Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire is a finely crafted cinnamon-flavoured liquor. This whiskey by Jack Daniels blends red hot cinnamon liquor with the smooth character of Old No.7 for a classic spirit with a fiery finish.
Tennessee Fire pours a clear, golden yellow, almost like an apple juice colour. It has aromas of red hot candy, very cinnamon-forward with a little bit of sweetness. On the palate, it opens up with a sweetness at the front, followed by some nutmeg, then cinnamon in the middle to the finish. It has a sticky mouthfeel and a long-lasting flavour. Worth mentioning is that Tennessee Fire has a velvety smoothness on the palate.
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JACK DANIEL’S HONEY
Jack Daniel’s Honey is a mix of regular Old No 7 and a spiced honey liqueur. It’s got spice, sweetness, floral undertones, and a long smooth finish. Drink over ice, chilled, or even in a cup of coffee – it’s rather tasty.
The palate is a delicious marriage of real honey and Jack Daniel’s with a light body and rich notes of toasty nuts and vanilla, charred oak, and hints of spice. The finish is rounded and lingers, offering one last taste of its sweet smoothness.
A blend of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and a unique honey liqueur of our own making, for a taste that’s one-of-a-kind and unmistakably Jack. With hints of honey and a naturally smooth finish, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey offers a taste of the unexpected.
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JACK DANIEL’S SINGLE BARREL SELECT
First introduced in 1997, Single Barrel Select is just that–selected single barrels of Jack Daniel’s. The barrels are selected by the master distiller and a small team from barrels on the upper floors of select warehouses. Each Single Barrel bottling will display the rick number, barrel number, and bottling date. As is the nature of single barrel releases, expect variations in flavour. Bottled at 42% ABV.
A Tennessee whiskey with a one-of-a-kind flavour. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select has a robust character with subtle notes of banana bread, caramel, and spice. Also present are bright fruit notes and sweet aromatics found in a Tennessee Whiskey along with a slight hint of ethanol noticeable.
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JACK DANIELS’ SILVER SELECT
Silver Select is an American whisky classified as American bourbon whiskey.
A gorgeous Tennessee whiskey from Jack Daniel’s, Silver Select is bottled at higher strength and the result is plenty of rich sweetness and complexity. Each barrel is aged in a different location within the warehouse for better maturation.
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GENTLEMAN JACK
A premium version of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, Gentleman Jack exhibits impressive complexity and flavour. The main difference is that it enjoys a ‘double mellowing’ as it’s filtered through charcoal both before being filled into the barrel (the Lincoln County Process) and before it’s bottled. Certainly good enough to enjoy on its own.
Crafted by combining traditional methods with a unique process that’s all its own. Twice mellowed for exceptional smoothness, Gentleman Jack has a crisp, balanced flavour.
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JACK DANIEL’S COLA
This Cola is a perfectly blended mix of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and refreshing Coca-Cola sold in a convenient, ready-to-drink 300ml can.
Jack Daniels has combined Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and Coke and put it in a handy pre-mixed ready-to-drink can. It contains the perfect amount of Jack Daniel’s to still give you a kick and then followed up by the refreshing taste of coke and ended with the heat of Jack to finish.
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JACK DANIELS’ N0. 27 GOLD
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold is a relatively new expression that was originally intended to be a limited-edition, travel-retail bottle sold in international markets. However, in 2018 the bottle became available in the markets.
27 Gold is crafted to the same uncompromising standards as Old No. 7, but then twice charcoal mellowed to be luxuriously smooth and extra matured in golden-hued
Created by taking Jack Daniel’s standard Tennessee whiskey (also known as No. 7) and then “double barreling and double mellowing” it – meaning it enjoys an extra maturation period in maple wood before being double charcoal filtered.
JACK DANIELS’ BOTTLED-IN-BOND
Originally released for the Travel Retail market, this edition of Jack Daniel’s is bottled at 50% ABV, adhering to the rules sets as part of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, which was passed back in 1897. The bumped-up ABV helps bring forward the bright fruit and oak spice notes.
The Bottled in Bond designation is only awarded to whiskey aged at least 4 years, distilled during a single season at one distillery and bottled at 100 proof. Charcoal mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple and aged in handcrafted American white oak barrels, this bold whiskey is a robust reminder of Jack Daniel’s commitment to quality.
JACK DANIEL’S SINATRA SELECT
Frank Sinatra was a long-term fan of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. He usually sipped a glass of it on stage while singing ‘My Way’ or ‘Fly Me To The Moon’.
Jack Daniel’s Select was created in honour of this friendship. Part of the whiskey is specially aged in Sinatra barrels for four to five years. Deep grooves are cut into the staves of the cask, increasing the amount of exposure the whiskey has to the wood, giving it bold and smooth qualities.
The whiskey is then married with Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 and bottled at 45% ABV, just like Sinatra liked it.
Let us raise a glass to the man who had one of the best vocals the world has ever known and heard🍹
JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE RYE
Tennessee Rye was introduced in 2017. It features a core of 70% rye, supported by 18% corn and 12% malted barley, and enjoys the same charcoal filtration as its other expressions.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye brings together two classics – Rye’s distinctive flavour is drawn from 70% Rye grain bill, and Jack’s time-honoured charcoal mellowing method. What emerges is a spicy whiskey that’s ‘sipping smooth’.
JACK DANIEL’S TENNESSEE APPLE
Apple juice and Jack Daniel’s is a stellar combo known as an Apple Jack, though the folks behind the whiskey have gone a step further and created this fruity whisky liqueur – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple! Think vanilla-forward Tennessee whiskey and green apple, all bottled up at 35% ABV.
Jack Apple is bold, refreshing, and exceptionally smooth.
Jack Daniel’s brand has a wide range of premium whiskies. If you would like to learn more about their products, check them out here.
CONCLUSION
Jack Daniel’s is best served neat, at room temperature to better appreciate its aromas and flavours. However, if you want to enjoy it any other way other than neat, add a little water or ice. It has been known to enhance the aroma of the whisky and bring to the surface hidden characteristics.
You might want to get yourself and/or a dear friend a bottle of one of the top-selling and popular whiskey brands in the world! You can purchase Jack Daniel’s whiskies from our website, here. Buy Jack Daniel’s Online in Nairobi and we will deliver to your doorstep, in Nairobi, and its environs for free. We also have next-day delivery within the country.
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By Roseline Maina: Digital Marketer
