Jack Daniels 150th Anniversary (86 Proof) - Review

Jack Daniel's 150th Anniversary 86 Proof Whiskey is a special release that commemorates the rich history and enduring legacy of one of America's most iconic whiskey brands. This limited edition expression pays homage to the distillery's founding in 1866, showcasing the craftsmanship and tradition that have defined Jack Daniel's for over a century and a half.

The story of Jack Daniel's begins with its namesake, Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel, who learned the art of distilling from Reverend Dan Call and Nathan "Nearest" Green, an enslaved African American man, in the 1860s[1]. Jack's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, with the official founding date contested between 1866 and 1875[1]. Regardless of the exact year, Jack Daniel's holds the distinction of being one of the oldest registered distilleries in the United States[2].

The distillery's location in Cave Spring Hollow, purchased by Jack Daniel in 1884, proved crucial to the whiskey's unique character. The iron-free water from the underground spring remains a key ingredient in Jack Daniel's production to this day[3]. The brand's signature charcoal mellowing process, known as the Lincoln County Process, was developed during these early years and continues to distinguish Tennessee whiskey from other American whiskeys.

Throughout its history, Jack Daniel's has weathered significant challenges, including Prohibition and World War II, which temporarily halted production[2]. Despite these setbacks, the brand's popularity grew, particularly in the post-war era when it became associated with American culture and rock and roll[2].

The 150th Anniversary 86 Proof Whiskey is a testament to the distillery's commitment to quality and tradition. This special release brings together the best of Jack Daniel's distilling and cooperage expertise[4]. Bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), it offers a rich and complex flavor profile that honors the brand's heritage while appealing to modern whiskey enthusiasts.

To celebrate this milestone, Jack Daniel's launched various initiatives, including a global Barrel Hunt scavenger hunt in 2016[5]. This event, spanning over 50 countries, invited fans to participate in the anniversary celebrations and highlighted the importance of barrels in the whiskey-making process.

Jack Daniel's 150th Anniversary release not only commemorates the brand's longevity but also its impact on American culture. From its humble beginnings in Lynchburg to its status as a global icon, Jack Daniel's has maintained its commitment to quality and tradition. The anniversary edition serves as a reminder of the brand's journey and its continued relevance in the ever-evolving world of spirits.

As Jack Daniel's looks towards the future, it continues to innovate while respecting its heritage, ensuring that the legacy of Jack Daniel and the whiskey he created will endure for generations to come.

Review:

Nose: Bananas and peanut shells immediately jump out of the glass. Jack Daniel’s is known for its “Banana Peel” note in their offerings, and this is no exception. I also get a dusty corn note with some brash oakiness that follows up on the end. This nose isn’t very well rounded and the ethanol is prevalent here. This smells like a younger whiskey (maybe 3-5 years old) I enjoy each of the notes listed but they all basically slap me in the face and it’s very “mono-tone” if you will. Again, after going in to try to find more notes, the banana is the overpowering scent here. Basically like when you’d pack your lunch for school and the banana would harass everything else in the lunch box. That’s what this nose is.

Palate: This is a savory whiskey. The nose does not translate to the palate much at all actually. There is little to no banana to be found and now we are back to the mellow corn, vanilla, and honey notes that Tennessee whiskey typically provides. It has a very buttery feel to it and then toward the back end, the peanut shells make an appearance. I can actually taste the “dust” from the corn in this bottle and after the second sip, I immediately get Christmas cookies. This would be a nice whiskey to sip on a winter’s day as I feel that a lot of the notes induce a feeling of nostalgia surrounding the cold and holidays. Could just be me! This palate is a big step up over the nose which came across as pretty abrasive to me

Finish: I thought the palate was really quite nice and now the finish? Well…. There isn’t one. I was surprised how quickly these flavors came and went. I get a slight ethanol tinge in the back of my throat but that really is it. I was hoping for just something here but no new notes came forward and it pretty much died after the sip.

Overall: 73. This one was a roller coaster for me. It started out with flavors that punched me in the face on the nose, to a nice soft palate with a blend of sweet and savory flavors, to absolutely nothing. This was a bottle that I had found in London (SoHo) and it was mispriced. This bottle was released in 2016 and I had purchased this in 2022. After seeing shelves upon shelves of overpriced whiskey to hopefully stick some dumb American tourist, I found this bottle, priced at 30 pounds ($32). I would have lost money if I didn’t buy it. For this price, I would say this is an absolute buy with no offensive characteristics, outside of the fact that the finish never arrived.

Value: 81/100; (+2 on the overall) At retail when this released at around $30, this was a great deal. I think the closest thing we saw to a deal this year was the Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary - Jimmy Russell for $49.99. That bottle is all-around better than this one but comparitively speaking, i think it is in the same realm for value. The additional six points in proof did bring out more flavor than the traditional 80 proof offering, but it didn’t help the end of it.

Availability: One time release back in 2016. Jack Daniel’s offers a much larger line now of whiskies and I think you could find a great alternative like Jack Daniel’s Bonded for roughly the same price, spending an additional $20 and buying a Jack Daniel’s single barrel which I believe are 90 proof and 1000 times better. Don’t quote me on that.

Citations:

[1] https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/american-whiskey/the-history-of-jack-daniels-iconic-tennessee-whiskey/

[2] https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/our-story

[3] https://pressroom.jackdaniels.com/background/

[4] https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/whiskey/limited/jack-daniel-distillery-150th-anniversary-whiskey

[5] https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/jack-daniels-hosting-whiskey-barrel-scavenger-hunt-its-150th-anniversary-172205/