Whiskey is a very versatile drink. With a complex maze of grains, flavors, and distillation processes, it is one of the most diverse distilled spirits in the bar and one of the most diverse of them is Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey.
Explained by David Mwangi, Brand Ambassador, Jack Daniel’s East Africa at a private tasting:
What makes it so special is due to its charcoal filtering process that gives the whiskey its character from the charcoal mellowing. During this mellowing process, it is slowly dripped through charcoal derived from sugar maple trees.
This mellows out the distilled spirit, removing many of the impurities leading to a richness to the whiskey.
The result is a whiskey that many people find to be lighter and smoother than many bourbons, though it is in no way lacking in flavor.
Another thing that’s interesting to note is they only use their barrels once, and they’re also slightly charred oak barrels to have the flavours really brought out in the final stage.
All this plus much more is what makes Jack Daniel’s Jack Daniel’s. Below are the drinks we had, as David took us through how each drink is made and stored to mature; including what aromas and tastes we got from the different drinks and how the finish is from the drink.
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
Process: Charcoal mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple
Aroma: Caramel with hints of banana
Taste: Caramel, vanilla and toasted oak
Finish: Creamy and clean
Gentleman Jack
Process: Double charcoal mellowed through 10 feet of sugar maple
Aroma: Vanilla, citrus and floral
Taste: Sweet vanilla, fruit and light spice
Finish: Crisp and clean
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Process: Whiskey selected from ONE barrel in the uppermost warehouse locations
Aroma: Caramel, toasted oak and subtle fruit
Taste: Toasted oak and complex barrel spices
Finish: Warm and lingering
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Process: A blend of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and honey liquor
Aroma: Honey, molasses and roasted nuts
Taste: Honey and hints of molasses, chocolate and pralines.
Finish: Smooth
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire
Process: A blend of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and a robust cinnamon liqueur
Aroma: Hot cinnamon and Jack Daniel’s
Taste: Red hot cinnamon with the perfect amount of sweetness
Finish: Smooth and warm cinnamon
