Jack Daniel’s launches single barrel rye

The Jack Daniel Distillery has released the brand’s third offering within the Single Barrel Collection and first new grain bill in 100 years, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, which includes Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Barrel Proof. This expression marks the first time consumers can experience a fully matured rye product from Jack Daniel’s. The newest member of the Jack Daniel’s family of brands will be on shelves across the US from this month.

“Rye was one of the earliest forms of American whiskey and as the master distiller at Jack Daniel’s, I’m proud to honour that history with the release of Single Barrel Rye. There is a re-emerging trend of rye whiskeys and we are excited to be able to give friends of Jack Daniel’s a chance to experience it,” says Jeff Arnett. “You never want to over-barrel a rye whiskey so it was important for us to stay true to the style with grain forward character rather than barrel character while still allowing our barrels to interplay with the whiskey. I’m confident that everyone will be as impressed as I am with the taste and character of this bold new rye offering.”

Each expression in the Single Barrel Collection offers a robust, full-bodied flavour complemented by Jack Daniel’s smooth charcoal-mellowed character. Together, Select, Barrel Proof and Rye combine to create the world’s finest collection of single barrel Tennessee whiskey.

Rye is crafted using a unique 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley grain bill giving the whiskey a clean, sweet tone at the tip of the tongue with a more distinct and slightly shorter than other Single Barrel offerings. Rye also uses the same cave spring water from the Jack Daniel’s Hollow, proprietary yeast and charcoal-mellowing process that’s been used in the distillery’s 150-year-old Tennessee whiskey recipe. From there, the liquid enters a charred White American Oak barrel, crafted at Jack Daniel’s very own cooperage and set to age in the upper regions of the barrelhouse. In this resting place, the whiskey is exposed to the extreme temperature variations that a Lynchburg, Tennessee season brings. The interaction of the whiskey, the wood and the environment brings out distinct flavour profiles that transcend what you would expect of a rye whiskey to become Single Barrel Rye.

Single Barrel Rye completes the distillery’s journey into rye whiskies, following limited release batches of Rested Rye in 2014 and Unaged Rye in 2012, allowing fans to taste the maturing rye over time. Rye starts off lightly sweet and mid-palate opens up to a dried fruit and trail mix flavor, finishing slightly shorter than the other Single Barrels as Rye is much more about grain rather than barrel character. Rye is a complex and robust whiskey that brings something unique to the palates of Jack Daniel’s friends and whiskey enthusiasts alike.  

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye will be priced approximately US$49.99 per 75cl. It is 47% abv (94 proof). Distilled and bottled by Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee.

18 February 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor