Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey
Similarities and Differences Between the Three Varieties
What's the difference between Jack Daniel's Black Label, Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel? Find out here!
In 1866 in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Jack Daniel began distilling whiskey, and this tradition remains in its original family and original American location today. The Jack Daniel distillery is the oldest in the United States of America and is also a National Historic Site.What are some of the differences between Jack Daniel’s Black Label, Gentleman Jack, and Single Barrel Jack Daniel’s?
Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Similarities
Before discussing the differences, it’s interesting to know the similarities among the Jack Daniel family of whiskeys. All varieties are made from the same combination of corn, rye, barley and water, are fermented in copper stills, and are distilled through 10 or more feet of specially made sugar maple charcoal. (Charcoal mellowing is what distinguishes Jack Daniel’s as a whiskey and not a bourbon).They are all stored in specially made American White Oak barrels which are charred on the inside. The whiskey moves in and out the pores of the barrel, giving it its varying shades of golden hues; there is no coloring added; color comes only from the wood. What makes the difference in flavors, smoothness and price among the three whiskeys is a matter of degrees— temperature that is: the higher in elevation the whiskey is stored, the better the quality as a result of its exposure to heat.
Jack Daniel’s Black Label (Old. No. 7)
This whiskey is flavorful and spicy. It’s stored on all levels of America’s oldest distillery, experiencing a range of temperature changes. The charcoal mellowing process takes a full ten days. It is generally mixed with Coca-Cola products, in Lynchburg Lemonade, or with other mixers. It’s the world’s best selling whiskey.
Gentleman Jack
The profile of this whiskey is light-bodied and gentle, with subtle fruit characteristics. It’s the only whiskey in the world twice charcoal-mellowed. It is stored on the first and second floors of the distillery, experiencing cooler temperatures and thus developing a lighter, softer flavor profile and appearance. It is generally served in Manhattans or with a splash of water.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel
This full-bodied whiskey is stored on the upper levels of the distillery, experiencing high temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. This causes the ultimate maturation as the whiskey moves in and out the pores of the barrels. Single Barrel features strong confectionary presence and high degrees of spiciness and fruit flavors. Each bottle is hand-labeled with its barrel number after being selected by master distillers. It is served neat or on the rocks.
For more information and drink recipes visit the Jack Daniels website.
