Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select is a newer product line from the venerable Brown-Forman. They take single barrels and bring them down to 94 proof. As a single-barrel whiskey, the idea is always to have the barrels be within a certain range of flavors - identifiable as a Jack Daniel’s product, but with enough difference to explore where the flavors could go.
The biggest thing the Single Barrel Select has going for it is the packaging. There’s no denying that this bottle is a beautiful design, a decanter-style squat bottle that would fit well on any shelf. The same bottle has been used now for their special Heritage releases, the 2020 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye, and other special releases in the past few years.
The Single Barrel Select won’t blow your socks off, but for someone who’s not used to a higher proof but wants something interesting and a step above the classic Jack Daniel’s, this is a nice pickup for a very reasonable price. Also note that as a single barrel, each one will be slightly different, so your notes might be different than mine - that’s ok! Enjoy the variety!
Jack Daniel’s Single barrel Select: Specs
Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
Origin: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Mashbill: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 98 (49% ABV)
Age: NAS
Location: KY
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Price: $50
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Dark Amber. Thin rim bleeds droplets.
Nose: A kind of light nose - some bourbon notes (vanilla, a hint of char). The nose is pleasant, no heat, just pleasant if unassuming.
Palate: Astringent at first, but tasty. Runts bananas and fresh bananas, too, not green or overripe. The proof is presenting better than I expected at 94. Classic Jack here. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, coating, just a touch of proof heat.
Finish: Some unexpected chocolate notes open on a medium-length finish.
Overall: A good, solid everyday drinker. I know I like the higher proof more, but I wouldn’t complain with this in my glass. More interesting and fuller-bodied than the classic No. 7 and better proofed than the Gentleman Jack you’d find at the same price point.
Final Rating: 5.5
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)
