Jack Daniel's 10 Year is a rekindling of a label they last used over a century ago. Die hard Jack fans will likely be all over this one, but what will the average drinker think of this Tennessee whiskey (that could be called bourbon, if they wanted to)? There's nothing else different about this release from your regular Jack - same mash bill recipe, time, and care - but once again carrying a 10 year age statement. I've had a small pour of this one previous time, but I'm cracking into my own fresh bottle tonight. Let's see how this is!
Company on Label: Jack Daniel
Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 97°
Age: 10 years
Further identification: This new limited release began in September 2021 under batch no: 10-001
Nose: Corn, caramel and a bit of smoky pepper spice greet my nose from the get go. It's lively and full of powerful scents, but smooth and savory in texture. Fig forward on the slight fruit characteristic that presents itself to me early. Great quality of oak is definitely there, testament to the time spent marrying with the wood. Pepper and a faint citrus introduce a paper-like nose feel. Malty now with molasses building and some meaty barbeque notes lingering in the background. Touches of leather are here, but not fully developed and clearly defined. Caramel and the dusty, well-aged oak influence continue to be the dominant smells in this glass. Time for a sip! Vanilla and smoky oak are amplified well now. My left nostril is keenly aware of a decent amount of proof, but it carries with it an eye-opening bouquet of vanilla presented in many forms of complexity. After a long rest under a glencairn lid, I return to a cacophony of apple, cinnamon, banana bread and vanilla. Oh - really interesting - on deep inhales I am reminded of a barn house on Soule Homestead farm where I worked one summer long ago. Really incredible nose on this pour. I am thoroughly enjoying all the unique smells that I've been experiencing here, mainly due to the delicious vanilla base that has been a backdrop curtain for everything else that followed. The empty glass smells of plums, raisin, hay, straw, oak and faint indistinguishable citrus.
Palate: Mmm, apple crisp forward, immediately flipping into a tart plum. Really interesting first sip evolution. There is a slightly metallic clove linger with peanut brittle and vanilla bean. The mouth feel is on the thinner side, lacking any viscous, oily texture at this proof and post charcoal filtering. A subsequent sip is creamy and indulgent. Cherry hots and raisin dance at the tip of my tongue. A long wave of vague sweetness slowly rolls back in my mouth, getting seemingly caught up on every taste bud along the way. It's not intense in the flavor department, but quite persistent. After a good rest in the glencairn while I enjoyed dinner, I return to a creamy butterscotch and caramel profile. The plum and cherry sweetness has migrated to much higher on my tongue and I find long lingers of Werther's originals. Bread notes continue to proliferate and evolve. Baking spices build well late in the glass. There is something akin to mint that causes a bit of coolness in the chest, but the flavors don't mirror that profile. There is now a bit of cinnamon spice lingering up in my cheeks and gums as I near the bottom of the glass. While quite tasty, the palate doesn't quite live up to the exceptional qualities of the nose which will keep this out of the perfect score territory I think. My last sip is a bittersweet farewell to a very enjoyable pour. It carries molasses, hay, pepper and hints of tobacco.
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