Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select
Everyone knows the supermarket Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, but if you look a little further you will find a number of exciting bottlings from the same distillery. Besides the Single Barrel Select, which we have in the glass today, there are other Single Barrel bottlings, Bonded, Triple Mash and many more.The Single Barrel Select is the entry into the Jack Daniel's distillery bottlings that whisky lovers can take seriously and also enjoy neat.
Tasting Notes
Nose
If anyone has ever wondered whether whiskey can smell intensely of banana. The answer is clearly YES! And that is sweet, ripe bananas. Somewhere in there are a few other sweet fruity notes, a good portion of oak, and a hint of herbs. And banana. More banana. Banana anyone?
Palate
Banana? Yes, here too, and not too little. In addition, we taste a lot of vanilla, a little caramel, as well as the spicy oak that we could already perceive in the nose. And banana! Maybe a little leather and a little lactritz.
Finish
Slightly dry and yet fruity sweet, the Jack Daniel's closes with a medium-long finish.
Thoughts
Marcel 69/100
If you love banana notes in whisky, you’ll have a lot of fun here – it’s almost a fruit bomb! Still, I miss a bit of depth and character to truly celebrate this Single Barrel. For a quick sip on the go, though, it’s perfectly fine.
Sascha 73/100
This bottling shows a decent balance between sweet fruit notes and spicy oak, though the dominant banana aromas won’t be to everyone’s taste. Structurally solid, but it lacks the complexity and narrative arc to be considered a true Single Barrel classic.
Value for Money: Excellent
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75/100Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select from the classic Old No. 7?
The Single Barrel Select is bottled from individual, handpicked barrels, giving each bottle a unique flavor nuance. It also has a higher alcohol content of 45% and offers more intense aromas—especially banana, vanilla, and oak—compared to the milder Old No. 7.
Why does the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select taste so strongly of banana?
The banana notes come from maturation in new American white oak barrels and the special yeast used during fermentation. This combination produces sweet, fruity ester compounds that define the characteristic banana aroma.
What is the best way to enjoy Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select?
The Single Barrel Select is excellent enjoyed neat to fully experience its complex aromas. Adding a drop of water can open up further nuances. Ice or mixers might mask the delicate fruit and wood notes.