I have heard people say that this rye whiskey is very good, so I purchased a bottle the other day for review. This rye has a mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley. It is Jack Daniel’s first new mash bill in 150 years. I think they have done a good job with this whiskey. Matt and I sat down to taste it the other day and here are our tasting notes.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye
Proof: 133.4
Age: No age statement
Nose:
- Mike: Caramel, maple syrup, rye grass, bananas, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Vanilla, bananas, raisins, baking spices and oak wood smoke.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, caramel, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and lemon zest and orange come out. Tasted with a pecan and the rye grass and caramel are enhanced.
- Matt: Vanilla, bananas, oak smoke. The dried cranberry brought out red hot cinnamon candy. The pecan enhanced the vanilla and banana.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood smoke, maple and lingering caramel. The dried cranberry added lingering citrus notes. The pecan made the finish long with rye grass, oak smoke and cinnamon.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood, bananas and red pepper. The dried cranberry made the spice a nice cinnamon spice. The pecan made the finish long with oak wood and red pepper.
I would pair this whiskey with a Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andreas cigar. I think the vanilla and spice in the smoke would complement the caramel and spice of the whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller