Master distiller Jeff Arnett of Lynchburg, TN first selects one out of every hundred barrels for its unique and expressive qualities. Once these special casks have been identified, they are moved to the very top of the distillery’s rickhouses, where extreme temperature changes facilitate dramatic interactions between the whiskey and the wood (by law, “Tennessee whiskey” must be aged new, charred American oak barrels).
Bottled at 94-proof, Single Barrel Select layers subtle notes of caramel and spice with bright fruit notes and sweet aromatics for a Tennessee Whiskey with one-of-a-kind flavor.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This single barrel is clearly built on the bones of the standard Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 offering. A delicious dose of banana bread, caramel, and heavily toasted oak, along with the slightest hint of ethanol are immediately noticeable. However, unlike the standard Jack Daniel’s, I’m happy to go back and keep smelling the nose on this whiskey. It’s an overall simple profile that is easy to enjoy and appreciate.
Palate: Caramel, toasted oak, and dried banana chips are immediately noticeable. The whiskey has a simple sweet flavor profile and medium-weight mouthfeel that allows it to easily be rolled around in my mouth. In fact, it drinks more like an 80-proof whiskey versus the actual 94 proof that it’s bottled at.
Finish: The finish is one-dimensional, consisting of chewy charred oak and a dash of brown sugar mixed with white pepper. The finish lasts for a long time, with a peppery, dry, chewy charred oak taste that lingers for quite a while after the sip. After a tasty nose and palate, I was hoping that the finish would round out the experience. Instead, the finish is just average due heavily to its one-dimensional flavor profile.
Aged for 4 years in new charred oak casks.
Mashbill: 80% Corn, 12% Rye, 8% Malt
Tennessee, United States.
