There is a lot to like about Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt on paper. At 90 proof and $100, let us see if it lives up to expectations.
Nose
Cherry and oak forward, it is warm and very inviting. Honey suckle, molasses sugar, plumb, and the tannins of the sherry cask. Red wine back ends the nose nicely.
Palate
Rich pipe smoke up front mellowing into sugars, cherries, cured oak, and red grapes. The wine notes start to really come through and a whisp of medium roast coffee. The profile holds through the mid palate with a combo of the pipe smoke and sherry wine before advancing to the finish. The finish is short by comparison, and fades quickly off the tongue before leaving just a wisp of oak. There is a strong burn to the chest however, that crests with a strong peak before fading.
Finish
Jack Daniels continues to produce a lot of wonderful bespoke expressions. Their single barrel line, both bourbon and rye, are clamored for by their fans. As the American whiskey world sees a shift toward American Single Malt, it’s no surprise that Jack Daniel’s is joining the ranks. This whiskey had a lot of the fun elements of their single barrel expressions but didn’t quite hit the mark like those do. I imagine the exclusivity of the Duty-Free shop will be interesting for loyal consumers.
The Bottom Line
Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $100, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
