Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey Review (2025)

 

Is it Tennessee Whiskey a Bourbon or not? That's a question that is hotly debated among whiskey enthusiasts. Folks on the Bourbon side cite how Tennessee Whiskey meets every legal definition of Bourbon. Folks on the other side will tell you the Lincoln County Process (LCP) adulterates the whiskey and disqualifies it from being called Bourbon. Whichever side you fall on, the fact is that international agreements consider Tennessee Whiskey to be Bourbon.

 

What is the LCP? Before the new make is placed in the barrel, it drips through charcoal from burnt maple for six days. That charcoal filtering process mellows it by removing any harshness. That right there is the point of contention in the debate.

 

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 interesting fact is that Jack Daniel's is located in Moore County, which is, in fact, a dry county. Considering who the county's major employer is and what it relies on for revenue, that's curiosity, if nothing else.

 

Jack Daniel’s classic recipe starts with a mash of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. It then goes through a six-day fermentation process. When that’s complete, it is sent through the copper pot still, which exits at 140°.

 

Barrels are a critical component of whiskey making. Until May 2024, Jack Daniel’s had its own cooperage. It opted to sell to Independent Stave; despite that, the cooperage will still be the source of barrels for the brand. And, the story of the barrel is paramount to the whiskey we’ll explore today: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel.

 

What makes the Heritage Barrel special is two-fold. First, it goes through a heavy toast and light charring cycle, which is atypical for Jack Daniel’s. Secondly, it comes from the upper floors of the coveted Coy Hill barrelhouse 1-09. Heritage Barrel was a limited-edition Tennessee Whiskey, but starting this year, Jack Daniel's intends for it to be a year-round offering.

 

I’ve not had a prior Heritage Barrel release, so I’m unsure what to expect, but that makes the whole #DrinkCurious thing even more exciting. I would like to thank Jack Daniel’s for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
• Distiller: Jack Daniel Distillery
• Age: 8 years, 23 days
• Mashbill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye
• Cooperage: Barrel #25-04912, heavily toasted, lightly charred, new, 53-gallon
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 750mL: $69.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this whiskey and sipped it neat. Its color was similar to that of black cherries. A medium rim discharged tightly packed, fast, medium-thick tears.

 

Nose: After patiently waiting for 15 minutes, I picked up the glass and brought it toward my face. As I held it beneath my nostrils and inhaled, I encountered dark cherries, plums, vanilla, brown sugar, and oak, which, interestingly, was far less pronounced than I assumed it would be. I drew the air into my mouth; I tasted ripe plums.

 

Palate: Heritage Barrel’s texture was full-bodied and creamy. Some warmth was attached, but nothing that I’d classify as hot or burning. The front of my palate discovered fried plantains, fire-charred marshmallows, and cola: the middle featured nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark-roasted coffee. I found tobacco leaf, toasted oak, and candied ginger on the back.

 

Finish: Candied ginger and cinnamon spice competed for attention as the finish ramped from mild to bold. Fried plantains and burnt marshmallows held their own beneath those. There was a kiss of cola and ancient leather before everything fell off at 1:44, making for a longer finish.   

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: If you believe Jack Daniel’s is defined by Old No. 7, then you’ve really not delved into what Jack Daniel’s has to offer. Its barrel-proof whiskeys (both Tennessee and Rye) are often on the mind-blowing side; there are some special releases, such as the Sinatra Edition, that you’ll find captivating. If you’ve not tried them, I highly recommend the three Bonded whiskeys.

 

Obviously, I am not in a position to tell you how this year’s Heritage Barrel compares to previous releases. But, I am here to tell you that it is another stunning example of what Jack Daniel’s is capable of. For $70.00, this is almost a bargain; the nose, palate, and finish are lovely. Yes, it earned 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.