Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye
Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye is the latest edition of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release collection. For this year’s edition, the company once again utilizes a secondary finishing barrel, similar to last year’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks release. However this time, the company utilizes a heavy-toast barrel. Additionally, compared to their 90 proof standard rye, this limited release gets a bump up to 100 proof. While the whiskey does not carry an age statement, the press release states that the whiskey “is charcoal mellowed before aging in new, handmade American white oak barrels for at least five years. It is then aged for over two years in uniquely crafted heavy-toast Heritage Barrels from the Jack Daniel Cooperage to achieve a complex rye whiskey full of unique, richer taste.”
Nose
Raising the dark mahogany whiskey to my nose reveals undeniable rich scents of holiday spiced raisins and toasted oak. Inhaling deeper reveals a sweet scent of brown sugar with a dollop of honey blended in. The classic Jack Daniel’s banana note is present, however, it is so faint that you have to really concentrate as you cut through the more dominating scents to find it. The nose hints at the whiskey being much older than it really is. While simplistic in construction, the aroma is rich and deep, offering an enticing opening to the sip.
Palate
The amount of oak exposure that this rye experienced is instantly noticeable. Transitioning into the palate, you’re teased with a quick burst of brown sugar sweetness before being smacked head-on with an extremely dry oak that seems to suck more and more moisture out of your mouth with every passing second. As you wade through this thick oak note, flavors of baking spices, dry cinnamon stick, light rye spice, hints of caramel, spiced raisins, and leather fight to come forward. It’s clear that the extended time in the heavy toasted oak barrel influenced the palate, and not necessarily in a good way. Try as I might, I found the dry oak note to be too overpowering and ultimately took away from the plethora of other flavors trying to make an impact.
Finish
Dry oak from the palate carries forward and starts off the finish on the same mouth-suckingly dry note. As your palate tries to recover, additional notes of dark dry raisins, light rye bread, baking spices, dry cinnamon powder, and leather faintly pull forward. Noticeably there is the gentleness of warming heat present, which considering the incredibly high amount of rye present in the mashbill, one would expect this to carry with it a higher degree of spiciness or heat in the finish. In the end, the dryness steals the show, ending the sip with a mouth-puckering dry oak note that holds you back from wanting to take another immediate sip.
Uniqueness
Jack Daniel’s has been expanding their product portfolio at a fervent pace as of late. This year alone the brand released a second batch of their 10 Year Whiskey , introduced a new 12 Year Whiskey, a
Classification: Rye
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Jack Daniel Distillery
Release Date: August 2023
Proof: 100
Age: NAS (Aged over 7 years per company’s press release)
Mashbill: 70% Rye, 18% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Dark Mahogany
MSRP: $75 (2023)
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Written by Daniel Davis
Bend & Steal American Whiskey Review
Upon sipping. The oak surprises and causes the palate to spasm from the unexpectedness. After the initial shock of the oak subsides, a rich, chewy mouthfeel full of holiday spiced brown sugar is appreciated. With further sips, the customary rye pepper begins to sneak into the mid palate, bringing with it a bit of smoke and subtle char. As the sip finishes, the spice ramps up to warm the chest while leaving the mouth begging for more. As with the nose, the sip finishes with much more depth than one would expect from an un-aged stated whiskey.
“I recently had the pleasure of trying Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The blend of holiday spiced raisins and toasted oak on the nose was rich and inviting. The palate was full of surprises, with a burst of oak and then a smooth sweetness of brown sugar and honey. Overall, a well-crafted whiskey with a complex and satisfying taste.”
On the tongue. Jack Daniel’s describes this release as having a “richer taste” and this holds true on the palate. The flavors are deeper, more complex, and have a gradual transition between them. The first flavor that graces my tongue is fig. Toward the back, the palate transitions to an extremely flavorful and long finish that builds in intensity. Richer passion fruit notes join the figs, and it all crescendos to a peak of tangy cranberry before releasing its grip.
The Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye offers a unique and complex taste with rich aromas of holiday spices and an oak-forward palate. The use of a heavy-toast barrel adds depth and character to the rye. A must-try for any whiskey enthusiast.
On the front of the palate, making it spicy, dry, but surprisingly creamy in texture. Unlike the nose, the banana note is more pronounced, with gentle rye spices creeping in over time. As the whiskey spreads throughout the palate a candied sweetness evolves, like red hots or cinnamon Jolly Ranchers, while still maintaining the rye’s core flavors of oak, dark fruit, and just a touch of banana—welcoming in the familiar Jack Daniel’s profile that the brand built its legacy upon. It’s full-bodied and rich, yet with a sweetness that balances out the spice and adds a layer of complexity to the overall taste.
Finish
The finish is where the rye spices finally take center stage, with a lingering heat that slowly fades away. The sweetness from the palate remains, however, offering a smooth and balanced ending to a complex sip. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression on the taste buds.
Overall
Overall, Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye is a well-crafted and unique addition to the Special Release collection. The heavy-toast barrel brings out a depth and richness in the whiskey, while still maintaining the classic Jack Daniel’s profile. At 100 proof, it has a nice kick of heat that adds to the overall experience. While the age statement is not specified, the whiskey’s depth and complexity suggest that it may be older than what is typically found in Jack Daniel’s offerings. This limited edition release is definitely worth trying for fans of rye whiskey and Jack Daniel’s enthusiasts alike.
“The Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye is a delicious and complex rye whiskey that showcases the brand’s signature profile while also offering a unique twist with the use of a heavy-toast barrel. At 100 proof, it packs a punch of heat that adds to the overall experience. Highly recommended for rye lovers and Jack Daniel’s fans alike.”
On the palate. Strong oak notes hit first, followed by a warm wave of baking spices and brown sugar. The taste closely mirrors the aromas on the nose. The sweetness is present but not overwhelming, allowing the rich and spiced oak to take center stage. There’s also a slight hint of char that lingers in the background. The mouthfeel is smooth and slightly creamy, with a medium to full body that coats the tongue and invites another sip.
Finish
The finish is long and dry with a satisfying warmth that spreads from the chest. The oak notes persist, but the sweetness dissipates, leaving a lingering sense of toasted wood and spice on the tongue. There’s a faint hint of vanilla that develops towards the end, adding a pleasant smoothness to the finish.
“Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Heritage Barrel Rye is a delicious addition to the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel collection. The heavy-toast barrel and bump in proof add a unique complexity to this rye whiskey, with rich aromas and tastes of spice, oak, and a subtle sweetness. The finish is smooth and satisfying, making it a great choice for any whiskey lover.”