Review: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks
In November 2022, Jack Daniel’s, the oldest registered distillery in the United States, launched its first American Single Malt Whiskey.
Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks (try saying that three times fast) is crafted from 100% malted barley that is ground, fermented, and distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The whiskey passes through Jack Daniel’s traditional charcoal mellowing process and is then matured in new, charred American white oak barrels for at least four years, before being finished for an additional two years in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks from the Antonio Paez Lobato Cooperage.
The Jack Daniel’s 2022 Special Release is bottled at a cask proof ranging from 106.1-107.8 proof (53.05-53.9% ABV). Interestingly, the sample that we received from Jack Daniel’s and that we’ll be reviewing is actually bottled a little lower, at 105.7 proof (52.85% ABV).
Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks Specifications:
- Spirit: American Whiskey.
- Classification: Single Malt.
- Region: Kentucky.
- Age: 6 Years Old.
- ABV: 52.85% (105.7 Proof).
- Cask Type: Matured in new, charred American white oak barrels and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.
- Price Paid: N/A (Sample from Jack Daniel’s).
- MSRP: $70 for 700 mL.
Tasting Notes:
- Color: Chestnut.
- Nose: Raisins, dates, prunes, chocolate, and baking spices, with some nuttiness and oak.
- Palate: Viscous mouthfeel. Opens with a ton of raisins, dates, and prunes, before leading into baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), black cherries, mixed berries, dark chocolate covered almonds, spiced French toast with banana and maple syrup, caramel, vanilla, and oak.
- Finish: Medium length, with lingering fruit, baking spices, chocolate, caramel, and oak influence.
I don’t know how much variance there is among batches of Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Single Malt, but the press sample I received drinks older than its age and is dangerously drinkable for 52.85% ABV. This is among the best American Single Malts I’ve tried to date, and if I could buy a bottle at the MSRP of $70, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I never came across a bottle for under $200, so I’ll have to make due with the remainder of the press sample.
Rating: B (83-86%).