Jack Daniels 100 Proof (Bottled in Bond) Review



“The Proof Is Not In The Pudding”

Whisky Review # 810

Country: USA
Brand: Jack Daniels 100 Proof
Type: Bottled in Bond Tennessee Whiskey
Age: NAS (At least 4 Years)
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 50%
Maturation: New Charred American Oak
Charcoal Filtration: Yes
Price Range: US$ 38-45 (March 2019)
Buying Advice: 😐 It's okay I guess. Good choice for strong Cocktails.

Colour:

Amber with shades of Orange (Natural Colour)

Nose:

Mainly Sweet but with a few Sour notes as well. The Alcohol is noticeable as was to be expected. It's a bit rough and edgy but that's normal for young Whiskey.

Main Aromas:

Sweet Cereals (Corn), Buttered Toast, Toffee, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Sour Apple, Cinnamon, Cloves and Almond Pastry.

Supportive Aroma Accents:

Charred Oak, Varnish, Acetone, Glue, Banana, Orange, Straw, Coconut, Fresh Herbs like Mint and hints of Peach/Nectarine and Tobacco.

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Palate:

The delivery is quite strong thanks to the high ABV. On the Palate this JD is Bitter-Sweet. Virgin Oak and Spices are prominent. A few Sour notes as well. It reminds me of the Sinatra Select.

Main Flavours:

Toffee, Caramel, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Charred Oak, Sour Apples, Sweet Corn, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cloves.

Supportive Flavour Accents:

Cherry-Flavoured Cough Syrup, Banana, Coconut, Almond Paste and Orange.

Finish:

Quite Long and a little Hot. Bitter-Sweet - and some Sour notes take you to the Dry end. It's quite heavy on Virgin Oak and Spices. I find Toffee, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Vanilla, Charred Oak, Sour Apple, Orange, Lemon, Butter, Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, light Licorice and Menthol.

Drinking Advice:

I added a few drops of Water and that helps to calm down the 100 Proof on the Nose and on the Palate. This is really a matter of personal preference. Just try it out both ways.

Rating: 81.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks:  Good

Conclusion:

The 100 Proof was released in 2018, initially as a Travel Retail Edition only. The Bottled in Bond Designation of 1897 was a good initiative that sought to better protect Whiskey consumers from false and modified spirits. The 100 Proof seal was only awarded to Whiskey that aged for a minimum of 4 years, was distilled during a single season by one distillery and bottled at 100 Proof. The only addition allowed was Water.

The 100 Proof is basically the standard Old No. 7 with a higher ABV. It does not really convince me as a sipping Whiskey but it should work great in Cocktails. It reminds me a lot of the Sinatra Select by the way. The Silver Select remains my favourite sipping JD while Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel are the much better options on the Rocks. I can't see why JD would keep the 100 Proof in their standard portfolio. It's not a bad Whiskey but it doesn't really add a whole lot in my opinion.

Cheers!

Jan van den Ende                                                                        March 29, 2019

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