Isn’t it mind-boggling that even as late as the 1990s, Jack Daniel’s only had two expressions? We all know and love the famous Old No.7 Tennessee sour mash, but there was also Gentleman Jack, which underwent a second round of charcoal mellowing and was bottled at a lower proof. That was the extent of their offerings back then. Fast forward to the last decade or so and Jack Daniel’s has introduced a plethora of variations, from Tennessee Honey to Sinatra Select to pre-made Jack-and-Cokes in a can. These were all exciting additions, but they still revolved around the Old No.7 theme.
However, the real game-changer came in 2011 when Jack Daniel’s decided to dip their toes into rye whiskey. While rye had always been a part of their whiskeys, accounting for 8% of the mashbill, they took the bold step of making it the predominant grain. What made this even more interesting was that the rye itself was sourced from Canada. This move was seen as a monumental shift in the Jack Daniel’s lineup.
Consumers were given the opportunity to try Jack Daniel’s rye in various stages of its development. First, an unaged version was briefly released, followed by a two-year-old expression. Then, in 2015, the first bottles of their Single Barrel Rye hit the shelves. This was followed by the introduction of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye in 2017, bottled at 45% ABV and seemingly becoming a cornerstone of their rye whiskey offerings.
But just five years later, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye disappeared from the market, only to be replaced by Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye. This was essentially the same whiskey, but now beefed up to 50% ABV, adhering to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, and meeting all the other regulations that come with it. The Bonded Rye bottle even took design inspiration from a 1890s-vintage Jack Daniel’s bottle, with a bartender-friendly long neck.
Jack Daniel’s rye has always been unique. While most modern ryes veer towards either high rye mashbills or barely-legal rye mashbills, Jack Daniel’s sits right in the middle at 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley. This combination gives it a distinctive and delicious flavor profile. It’s spicy, yet balanced by sweet notes of vanilla, pear, green apple, and banana.
According to JD’s master distiller Chris Fletcher, the decision to release more bottled-in-bond rye releases was driven by the fact that they work exceptionally well in cocktails. And indeed, the Bonded Rye shines in classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Sazerac. But it’s also gentle and complex enough to enjoy neat or with a splash of water.
Unlike many other whiskies in the market, the Bonded Rye is not a limited edition, making it even more appealing. And the suggested retail price of $31.99 for a 700ml bottle is an absolute steal. With ample supply expected to be available in the foreseeable future, you won’t have to worry about inflated prices when you venture out to find a bottle. Trust me when I say, you should go and get one immediately. A whiskey of this caliber, at such an affordable price, deserves a place on every back bar and in every home liquor collection.
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