Jack Daniel's Distillery Series #16: Rye Finished in Table Syrup Barrels Review

One of the things I love about today’s distillers is that they’re not afraid to push the envelope and explore what can be done with whiskey. Whether those experiments turn out to be good or not is a different story. It is the thinking outside of the box stuff that I find fascinating.

 

The largest distiller of Tennessee Whiskey is Jack Daniel’s, owned by Brown-Forman. Jack Daniel’s also makes the world’s most popular American whiskey. 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 #16. 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 sold only in Tennessee. Some releases are distillery-only, whereas others are available at select Tennessee retailers.

 

“The Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series is all about exploring new ideas, and the complex nature of our Tennessee Rye Whiskey makes a great canvas for experimentation. Thanks to what we can do with our barrels, the finish adds a sweetness and depth that’s completely unique but unmistakably Jack.” – Byron Copeland, Jack Daniel’s Barrel Maturation Manager and Master Taster

 

Distillery Series #16 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 maturing in a new, charred oak barrel. Once properly aged, the whiskey was transferred to a barrel that previously held Southern-style table syrup. We aren’t told what that syrup encompasses.

 

What does it taste like? Well, we have to do the #DrinkCurious thing to answer that, and I’m grateful to Jack Daniel’s for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.  

 

• Whiskey Type: American Rye
• Distiller: Jack Daniel’s
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley
• Cooperage: Fully matured in new, charred oak barrels, then finished in barrels that held Southern table syrup
• Alcohol Content: 55.7% ABV (111.4°)
• Price per 375mL: $44.75

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore this whiskey neat. The liquid appeared caramel-colored; it produced a thin rim with a variety of tears; some were thin, some thicker, and they were tightly spaced and quick.

 

Nose: I allowed Distillery Series #16 to breathe for about 15 minutes before beginning my nosing. The aroma was very typical of Jack Daniel’s Ryes with rye spice, vanilla, raisins, cherries, dry leather, and gentle oak. Yet, the longer I let the whiskey sit, the more there was an uptick in the smells of maple and pecan praline. When I inhaled the vapor through my lips, I encountered what I could swear was pecan pie.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was medium-thin and slick. Barrel char took center stage and hogged the spotlight. The second sip revealed salted caramel, honey, and toasted pecans on the front of my palate. Midway through, I tasted notes of vanilla, leather, and oak. As it moved to the back, flavors of barrel char, rye spice, and maple sugar emerged.

 

Finish: Maple sugar, barrel char, leather, toasted pecans, and dry oak remained in my mouth and throat. It was mainly even-keeled with only a slight rise before falling off. The duration ran 1:58, making it a longer finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Distillery Series #16 was incredibly well-balanced between sweet notes you’d expect from table syrup (maple, pecan, or whatever) and a solid Tennessee Rye. It drank many points below its stated proof, placing it in that “dangerous” category I mention every so often, meaning that you can keep sipping this and not realize the alcohol’s impact until you stand up.

 

I can’t say that #16 is my very favorite of the Distillery Series, but it is in the upper echelon of these experimental whiskeys. It comes at a fair price, is full of character, and just fun to sip. All of that equates to 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.