Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel 2020 Barrel Proof Rye Review

Hank Bourbon -

BOTTLE DETAILS

  • DISTILLER: Jack Daniel's
  • MASH BILL: 70% Rye | 18% Corn | 12% Malted Barley
  • AGE: NAS (no age statement), but averaging 5-6 years old
  • YEAR: 2020
  • PROOF: 130.8 Proof (65.4% ABV)
  • MSRP: $64.99
  • BUY ONLINE: Wine-Searcher.com

BOB'S NOTES

NOSE: Banana bread | Maraschino cherries | Maple syrup

TASTE: Luxurious banana caramel | Light rye spice

FINISH: Lingering rye spice | Banana taffy

SHARE WITH: No one. Seriously, you find this bottle, don’t share it, keep it all to yourself.

WORTH THE PRICE: It’s a bargain at $64.99.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: If you find this & don’t buy a bottle, I’m coming to your house & we’re going to have a talk.

OVERALL: I’ve long been a fan of Jack’s Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey, as I think it’s the best readily available American whiskey on the market. I said READILY AVAILABLE, calm down whiskey police. Also, if you’re wanting to engage in the TN whiskey versus bourbon argument, might I invite you to check out the Iron Sheik’s Twitter feed. The news that their limited release for 2020 was a barrel proof rye had me excited & a little apprehensive at the same time, as I’m not a huge rye whiskey fan.

Imagine my joy upon tasting the barrel proof rye to find that just like the barrel proof TN whiskey, it knocked my socks off. I was able to join a panel of whiskey writers on a Zoom call with newly appointed Master Distiller Chris Fletcher to discuss the single barrel rye. As opposed to the traditional ten feet of maple charcoal that the TN whiskey is filtered through, the rye only filters through approximately three feet of charcoal. The barrels selected for this release were all from the top floor of various rick houses. Jack has only been distilling rye whiskey since 2011 and this is their first single barrel, barrel proof rye release, although I’ve seen a TN only release in the last few weeks under their “Tennessee Tasters” collection that’s a 375ml.

The same yeast strain is used for all Jack Daniel’s whiskeys, and there are several similarities between the barrel proof expressions, but the rye doesn’t have the chocolate that I get with the TN whiskey. Another striking difference is that the rye drinks decidedly lower than its proof of 130.8. That’s one thing I never experienced with the BP TN whiskey, that one is more in your face. The BP rye is full flavored, with that signature banana caramel on the palate, but it’s more subtle in its spiciness, which I didn’t expect. The finish isn’t as long as I expected either. I detected some very faint Fruity Pebbles before the rye spice & the banana candy come back in. For a whiskey that tops out around 6 years of age, this is really an incredible pour.

I’m hoping that this becomes a permanent line extension for Jack Daniel’s, as it would quickly find its way into my regular rotation. It’s nice to see a limited-edition release with a reasonable price tag, especially one that delivers so solidly like this one.

BRAND NOTES

JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES SINGLE BARREL 2020 SPECIAL RELEASE: BARREL PROOF RYE

Tennessee Rye is the Jack Daniel Distillery’s first new grain bill since Prohibition, made up of 70% rye, 12% malt and 18% corn. This special iteration, aged at the highest reaches of the barrel house offers a deep copper hue with robust aromas of deep smoke, raisin, rich caramel and toasted fruit; boasting tastes of molasses, sawn oak and bold rye spices with a peppery finish.

JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY ANNOUNCES SINGLE BARREL 2020 SPECIAL RELEASE: BARREL PROOF RYE

This year’s one-time release celebrates rye in its purest form and highlights the craftsmanship of the Jack Daniel Distillery.

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (November 23, 2020) – Following two annual releases of the award-winning Jack Daniel’s Heritage Barrel, today the brand announces the Single Barrel 2020 Special Release Barrel Proof Rye. Limited to just 200 barrels, this year’s special release celebrates the early craftsmanship of the Jack Daniel Distillery and honors the history of American rye whiskey.

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye is bottled in its purest form, straight from the barrel, uncut at full proof. Because this special release Tennessee whiskey is charcoal mellowed and aged in new, white oak barrels, it also has the Jack character and smooth finish.

Tennessee Rye is the Jack Daniel Distillery’s first new grain bill since Prohibition, made up of 70% rye, 12% malt and 18% corn. This special iteration, aged at the highest reaches of the barrel house offers a deep copper hue with robust aromas of deep smoke, raisin, rich caramel and toasted fruit; boasting tastes of molasses, sawn oak and bold rye spices with a peppery finish.

“Our team created this special release to give our friends the chance to taste our rye whiskey at the proof mother nature created. This barrel proof offering is as close as you can get to being inside a barrelhouse and sampling for yourself.” says Jack Daniel’s newly appointed Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. “I’m excited to begin my tenure as Master Distiller alongside this special release that celebrates our award-winning rye whiskey, and I look forward to sharing it with the many friends of Jack who are sure to be satisfied.”

Jack Daniel’s is the only major whiskey company in the world to make its own barrels, crafted from American white oak and hand raised by expert coopers. The craft of each unique barrel is key in the vital maturation process that makes Single Barrel products special.

The limited-edition Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye bottle will hit shelves starting in late November, available in a 750ml size with a suggested retail price of $64.99.

Disclaimer: The Jack Daniel Distillery provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.