Jack Daniel's Distillery Series #14 Review

 

The largest distiller of Tennessee Whiskey is Jack Daniel's, owned by Brown-Forman. Jack Daniel’s also makes the most popular American whiskey in the world. One ticklish bit of trivia is that Jack Daniel's is in Moore County, which happens to be dry. Considering who the county's major employer is and what it relies on for revenue, that's curiosity, if nothing else.

 

Today, we will explore an American Rye called Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #14. That leads to the obvious question: What is the Distillery Series?

 

The first thing you need to know is that it used to be called the Tennessee Tasters’ Selection. The Tennessee Tasters are Jack Daniel’s Master Tasters, and one of their more coveted duties is to sample experimental whiskeys that Jack Daniel’s produces. These whiskeys are limited to sale only in Tennessee. Some releases are distillery-only items, whereas others include select Tennessee retailers.

 

“Here at the Jack Daniel Distillery, we have the ability to experiment and pull different levers to innovate all along the whiskey making process, from grains all the way to the barrel. In this latest Distillery Series release, high toast maple barrels accentuate our award-winning rye whiskey while drawing out unprecedented seasonal flavors that lead to a special experience.” – Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller

 

Distillery Series #14 is a Straight Rye Whiskey distilled from a mash of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley. It then went through the Lincoln County Process (LCP) before it entered a new, charred oak barrel. Once properly aged, the whiskey was transferred to new, high-toast, uncharred maple barrels for an additional three years in a Tanyard Hill barrelhouse. Master Taster Clint Bailey selected Distillery Series #14.

 

Only 3300 - 375mL bottles are available exclusively at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop at the distillery. Distillery Series #14 is packaged at 53.5% ABV (107°) and has a stated price of $43.99. According to Jack Daniel’s, this is the most limited Distillery Series expression produced.

 

I must thank Jack Daniel’s for providing me with this #DrinkCurious opportunity. They were gracious enough to send a sample bottle in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

Appearance: I sipped this whiskey neat from my Glencairn glass. Inside, the liquid presented as a deep, rusty color. A husky rim formed thick, syrupy, widely-spaced tears.  

 

Nose: As I brought the glass beneath my nostrils, inhaling the vapor exposed me to drying tobacco leaves, mint, cherries, maple, and clove. When I pulled the air into my mouth, I found more maple.

 

Palate: An airy, light-bodied texture caressed my tongue and ran down my throat. The front of my palate discerned rye spice, raisins, and cherries. Flavors of leather, dark chocolate, and tobacco were at my mid-palate, while black pepper, maple, and cinnamon were on the back.

 

Finish: Roasted coffee came out of nowhere and commanded my attention. As it began to subside, I could taste maple, cinnamon, leather, black pepper, and a kiss of smoke. The medium duration lasted 1:08.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The 107° proof allowed for plenty of character without excessive alcohol burn. Distillery Series #14 had interesting layers and was well-balanced between its sweet, savory, and spicy notes. That coffee blast on the finish was a pleasant surprise.

 

Most of the Tennessee Tasters/Distillery Series whiskeys have been fascinating pours, and #14 is no different. I’d love to see something similar in a regular Jack Daniel’s release so the rest of the world could experience it. I tip my hat to Clint Bailey for his discovery and recommendation, and I’m thrilled to crown it with my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.