Whiskey Review: Jack Daniel’s Small Batch Coy Hill High Proof Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Small Batch Coy Hill High Proof Tennessee Whiskey, produced by next time you’re in Lynchburg at 76.6% ABV, mash bill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, — at $55/ 375ml bottle, the question is whether it delivers on its promise. I sat down with a pour to find out.

Nose

This is one of the darkest spirits I’ve encountered recently. Its near-opaqueness in the bottle implies a heavy amount of extraction from the barrels, which isn’t much of a surprise given the proof. This is deep chocolate-mahogany with an amber undertone that takes on a brilliant ruby cast in full sunlight. As the color suggested, this is strongly aromatic, serving up notes of hearty buckwheat honey and charred vanilla sugar. There’s a hint of nail polish remover and shoe polish that leaps from the glass alongside notes of toasted pecans. On the fruit side, I pick up aromas of stewed yellow peaches and overripe nectarines. Spice aromas include allspice, clove, and dried bay. There’s a touch of a high-toned floral note like wild daisies and sassafras leaves. The aromatics are surprisingly fresh. The palate’s notes are milder than the aromatics on the nose, showing a hint of ripe peach but mostly baking spices and old vanilla pods. Swirling the spirit is like having a wrestling match with a burning log. Besides, the finish and retro-nasal notes are far more interesting than letting this melt a hole through your tongue. It evaporates with a bitter lingering note like chewing whole spices, burnt honey, and cedar. In a pinch, this could serve as a delightful mouthwash after dental surgery or all around antiseptic. Jokes aside, I was impressed by how drinkable and enjoyable this was neat. It’s as aromatic as the color implies and, though not a drink for gulping, this is extremely tasty, if fiery, sipper. The 2022 release does not yet appear to be available online, so stop by the distillery next time you’re in Lynchburg, Tennessee, for a halfy. And for the love of whiskey, store your bottle upright.

Palate

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

The Bottom Line

Jack Daniel’s Small Batch Coy Hill High Proof Tennessee Whiskey is outstanding — one of those bottles that reminds you why you fell in love with whiskey in the first place. If you see it at $55/ 375ml bottle, do not hesitate. This one earns a permanent spot on the shelf.