Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye 2020 Special Release Review
Like the Tennessee Taster’s Barrel Proof Rye before it, this bottle represents Jack Daniel’s new foray into rye with a whole new recipe to boot. Varying between 125-140 proof (though I haven't seen one higher than 136 anywhere), these were rye barrels taken from the upper parts of the Jack Daniel’s warehouses and selected for what can only be described as a beautiful experience. Seriously - I’ve tried 8 different barrels and proofs and each, while a little different, was delicious.
In terms of lineage, this bottle draws on two lines: the Heritage line - meant to exemplify the old ways of making whiskey and barrels - and the experimental line, the Tasters’ line, that was the test batch the prior year. It’s a showpiece in every sense, and I will be sad when my last bottle is empty.
This came out in waves across the country, state by state - though the MSRP was $65-ish, it immediately hit $150 on secondary and is now trending at $200. I wouldn’t be surprised if it hit $250 in a few months as the already limited supply runs out. For some bottles, you can see this happening in advance, so you stock up for when the flipping time comes. This one, though, I’ve paid secondary for a few times just to get more of. It’s that good and deserves a try wherever you find it.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel: Specs
Classification: Single Barrel Tennessee Rye
Origin: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Proof: 130.5 (65.25% ABV)
Age: NAS, Bottled 11-5-2020
Location: Barrel 20-06881, Bottle BPR-23548
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Price: $64.99 (MSRP)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Rye: Tasting Notes
Eye: Dark maple syrup. Almost no rims, thin legs.
Nose: Holy crap - every part of the best French toast breakfast - the thick maple syrup, eggy brioche caramelizing in butter and vanilla and cinnamon. No proof heat at all. Wow - this is delicious. The scents just ooze out of the glass, no sniffing needed here!
Palate: Hot (there’s the proof heat missing from the nose!) but lots of body and every note from the nose translated into palate flavors. Add brûlée bananas on top while a warm Kentucky (err…Tennessee?) hug envelops my whole mouth. This is perfect… until...is that a vitamin note? Yep, just the faintest grape vitamin note way in the background. I’m sensitive to that flavor so others may not get it, but I do. It grows with air, threatening to ruin an incredible palate. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy, coating, creamy, with good proof heat throughout. This is where the JD character shines the most, adding bananas and pink peppercorns.
Finish: Short to medium, definitely shorter than I’d like or expect, barely any heat, a nice slow fade.
Overall: The nose is a 10, full stop. The palate starts off just as well, but that vitamin note is frankly annoying and the finish is shorter than a whiskey like this deserves. Delicious and a hell of a holiday treat - despite the finish, the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye still in the running for my rye of the year.
Final Rating: 8.6
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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