Old No. 7’s immediate family expands again with this new permanent expression.
While heritage and a rich historical background may suffice for certain distilleries, the past paves the way for the future at Jack Daniel’s. The introduction of the new Jack Daniel’s Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey signifies the distillery’s most recent stride into an evolving future, paying homage to its legacy while also making a bold statement in the flourishing rye whiskey industry.
Jack Daniel’s, nestled in Lynchburg, Tennessee, has a rich history of embracing innovation, as we discovered during our recent visit to the distillery. This includes groundbreaking achievements like introducing their highest alcohol by volume (ABV) whiskey last year and a noteworthy collaboration with McLaren Racing in 2023.
The newest addition to their lineup is part of Jack Daniel’s popular Bonded Series, and while it’s a fresh rye expression, it adheres to the stringent standards set by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which mandates that the whiskey must be produced by a single distiller in a single season, aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof.
Chris Fletcher, the Master Distiller at Jack Daniel’s, explained that the rye whiskey’s grain composition of 70 per cent rye, 18 per cent corn, and 12 per cent malted barley results in “a distinct and harmonious flavour profile that our rye enthusiasts have come to anticipate and seek in our releases.”
Jack Daniel’s places a strong emphasis on consistency, as the spirit journeys around the globe, graces the stages of rock stars, and proudly occupies the bar carts of devoted JD enthusiasts. Every aspect of the production process at Jack Daniel’s, from the use of limestone water to the charcoal mellowing method to the craftsmanship of barrels at their cooperage in Alabama, reflects meticulous attention to detail, a reverence for tradition, and an unwavering commitment to perfection with each batch.
The bottled-in-bond rye expression represents Jack Daniel’s unique interpretation of rye whiskey, maintaining the signature dried fruit notes and a hint of sweet spiciness found in their flagship Old No. 7 (once again emphasizing their dedication to consistency in Tennessee).
This inaugural release of Bonded Rye was distilled during the spring of 2016, bottled at approximately seven years of age, and matured in freshly charred oak barrels. It also underwent the charcoal filtration process as part of the Lincoln County method that defines Tennessee whiskey. The outcome is a remarkably well-balanced rye whiskey with distinct notes of spice, fruit, vanilla, and oak. You can still detect the familiar Jack Daniel’s essence, characterized by hints of banana bread and apple cake flavours, a result of using the same yeast strain across all their whiskey offerings. However, this rye expression is notably less sweet than Old No. 7, in line with the expectations for a rye whiskey.
“The Bottled-in-Bond designation on Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye is another stamp of quality, assuring consumers that every drop of our whiskey is made right here in Lynchburg at the Jack Daniel Distillery with the highest standards possible,” Chris Fletcher said in a statement.
When it comes to the future of this whiskey powerhouse, Fletcher’s vision is to continually push boundaries.
If Chris Fletcher and Jack Daniels have any say in the matter, the finest grains and top-tier whiskey will undoubtedly find their place on well-stocked bar carts in the upcoming years
