Jack Daniel's 94 Proof Single Barrel Selects Showcase Whiskey Craft

The Story Behind Jack Daniel's 94 Proof Single Barrels

Jack Daniel's, the iconic Tennessee whiskey brand, is well known for its classic No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. However, Jack Daniel's also releases special single barrel bottlings at a higher 94 proof (47% ABV). These are called the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Selects.

What Makes Single Barrel Whiskeys Special

Unlike the standard Jack Daniel's No. 7, which is a blend of different whiskeys, single barrel selections draw their contents from just one individual barrel. This allows whiskey fans to taste the unique flavors and characteristics that can come through based on that specific barrel's aging conditions, location in the warehouse, and other factors.

No two single barrels will taste exactly the same. So trying a Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select bottle allows you to sample a one-of-a-kind whiskey profile that showcases Jack's distilling and blending expertise.

Tasting Notes and Flavor Profile

Compared to regular 80 proof Jack Daniel's No. 7, the 94 proof single barrel whiskeys pack more intensity and deeper, richer flavors. The higher alcohol level doesn't add harshness, but allows more subtle notes to emerge.

On the palate, you can expect layered flavors of warm vanilla, caramel apples, and toasted oak. Hints of spice come through with touches of cinnamon and cracked black peppercorns. The finish is long, smooth, and flavorful with lingering oak and char notes.

Keep in mind that specific tasting impressions can vary barrel-to-barrel. Subtle fruit flavors like ripe cherry or dried apricots might emerge in some single barrels. The wood character ranges from creamy vanilla oak to more intense char. But regardless of barrel variation, the quality is consistently excellent.

Ideal Serving and Cocktail Options

Jack Daniel's 94 proof Single Barrel Select can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed into cocktails. When served neat or chilled with ice, the higher proof allows the flavors to shine through beautifully.

In cocktails, the bolder oak flavors make this single barrel whiskey an excellent choice for classics like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan where you want the spirit itself to share the spotlight with other ingredients.

The richness from the oak and caramel malts helps offset bitter components if mixing drinks with amaros, herbal liqueurs, or vermouth.

The Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Process

All Jack Daniel's whiskeys are distilled and matured at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. This is where Jack Daniel himself set up shop back in 1866, establishing what would become an iconic global brand.

The distillery is situated near a natural spring called Cave Spring Hollow. The iron-rich spring water flows through sugar maple charcoal before use, mellowing it to the perfect softness for Tennessee whiskey production.

Choosing and Filling the Barrels

Jack Daniel's sources its whiskey barrels from a variety of American cooperages. Only grade-A barrels that have met exacting quality standards get filled with new distillate.

Before filling, the Jack Daniel's warehouse team hand selects single barrels that show ideal wood characteristics. Each barrel is dumped into the filling machine to receive the unaged clear distillate spirit.

Warehouse Aging

Once filled, every Single Barrel Select barrel ages for at least 4 years on its own. Throughout maturation, natural temperature variations in the warehouse impact each barrel uniquely.

On hot summer days, the whiskey soaks deep into the barrel wood - drawing out tannins, vanillins, and caramel flavors. As things cool down in winter, the spirit condenses and rebounds back into the barrel - imparting toasted oak notes.

No artificial heating or cooling is ever used. The whiskey develops slowly based solely on natural seasonal impacts.

Single Barrel Selection

After aging, the Jack Daniel's tasting panel evaluates each Single Barrel Select barrel for exceptional aroma, taste, and finish. Only barrels showing a well-balanced, robust flavor profile get chosen for the 94 proof single barrel program.

The selected barrels are then bottled individually by hand, with each bottle's label noting the unique barrel number, warehouse location, and bottling date.

Reasons Whiskey Fans Love Jack Daniel's 94 Proof Single Barrels

Bolder, More Intense JD Flavors

At 94 proof versus the traditional 80 proof, the Single Barrels offer a welcome boost to Jack's signature flavor style. You get more robust oak, richer sweetness, and greater complexity overall while still maintaining approachability and smoothness.

One-of-a-Kind Barrel Variation

No two single barrels are the same. So trying different Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select bottles lets whiskey lovers explore how factors like warehouse location can impact a whiskey's final character.

Higher Proof Without Harshness

Some higher proof whiskies can taste hot or sharp around the edges. But Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Selects are quite gentle at 94 proof. You get more flavor, not more heat or bite.

That makes these cask strength single barrels very friendly for sipping neat or on ice.

Affordable Premium Whiskey

While very special, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select bottles are reasonably priced compared to similar premium or small batch whiskeys. High quality with no premium markup makes these accessible cask-strength pours for JD fans.

Jack Daniel's Continues Mr. Jack's Legacy

Over 150 years since its founding, the Jack Daniel Distillery still makes whiskey according to the methods Mr. Jack himself pioneered. From the cave spring water to the mellowing charcoal to the hand-bottling, tradition matters here.

Products like Jack Daniel's 94 proof Single Barrel Select continue the legacy by giving whiskey lovers a taste of some truly fine Tennessee whiskey drawn straight from single barrels just as Mr Jack did generations ago.

FAQs

What's special about the Single Barrel Select whiskeys?

Unlike standard Jack Daniel's, the Single Barrel Selects draw all their contents from just one specially chosen whiskey barrel. This allows a unique, one-of-a-kind flavor profile to shine through.

What proof are the Single Barrel Selects bottled at?

Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof Single Barrel Selects are bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV). This is considerably higher than the main Jack Daniel's No. 7 brand which is 80 proof.

How long is each single barrel aged for?

Every Single Barrel Select is aged for at least 4 years before selection and bottling. Most age for between 5-6 years.

How are the single barrels selected?

Jack Daniel's experts hand pick barrels that exhibit optimal balance of flavors and aromas for the 94 proof single barrel program.

Does whiskey flavor vary barrel-to-barrel?

Yes, due to factors like warehouse location and temperature changes, no two Jack Daniel's Single Barrels will have quite the same character.