When I turned 21, one of the first drinks I ordered from a bar in Colorado was a Jack and Coke. From there, I found Gentleman’s Jack and that quickly became my drink of choice, either neat, over ice or with coke throughout my twenties. As you can see, Jack Daniels has always held a place in my heart, but in all honestly, for the past ten or fifteen years I have not gone back to the product. Occasionally I would perhaps order a mixed drink at a bar while on vacation, but typically it would be a letdown. However, today’s review from the Jack Daniels Distillery of their newer product, Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old, has changed my outlook on the future of this distillery.

From the Jack Daniels Distillery website: It’s been 100 years or so since the Jack Daniel Distillery released a whiskey of 10 years of age or greater. Evolving Jack Daniel’s past aged-stated whiskey process, these Tennessee Whiskey barrels have been aging in the Buzzard’s Roost of our barrelhouse, and methodically relocated to the lower floors of different barrel houses to extend the aging process for the last 10 summers. The extreme weather variation at different locations in the barrel houses along with longevity in our handmade oak barrels creates an intense, unique character of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Over the past few months, I have been making an effort to go through my shelves and make sure I have not missed any of my bottles to review. I found this bottle hiding in the back corner and forgot how much I enjoyed it. This bottle of Jack Daniels has single-handedly put the brand back on the map for me. Overall, this is your typical Jack Daniels profile with notes of Banana, Pecan, and Vanilla, but ten times refined; see what I did there with the 10-year-old statement. Where in No. 7 or Gentleman’s Jack I find the flavors there but all fighting for the spotlight, this 10-year-old product elegantly intertwines the flavors, highlighting them all yet melding together at the same time; well done Jack Daniels. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Banana, Pecan, Rich Dark Fruits, Vanilla, Caramel, and Charred Oak
• Palate: Vanilla, Caramel, Nuttiness, Baking Spice, Banana Flambé, and Dry Oak
• Finish: A Delightful Colorado Winters Hug ending in Toasted Candied Pecans and Dry Oak
• 2022 MSRP: $70
• 2023 National Average: $179
• Proof: 97
• My Rating: Drink It! (This definitely puts Jack Daniel’s back on the map for me!)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman