Jack Daniel’s Rye Whiskey

Today I look at another Rye release, Jack Daniel’s Rye whiskey. What a roller coaster we have had in South Africa with covid and lock down. When SA went into lock down level 5 in March 2020, the sale of alcohol was banned. A whole industry came to a sudden standstill.

Three months later, SA moved to lock down level 2 and liquor sales were allowed again. Items stuck in port was permitted entry and wine farms and distilleries started operating again.

South Africa’s covid figures increased substantially, and then one Sunday evening, the President suddenly banned alcohol sales again. All plans I had to try new drams came to a grinding halt. But the long wait is over, and I can try some new releases again.

Just before lock down, I saw some social media posts about Jack Daniel’s rye becoming available in SA. But I could not find a bottle at the time. However, now that I can shop again, I found a bottle and I was fortunate to have a chat to Bradley Watson about this release on IGTV.

The Jack Daniel’s Rye whisky was released in September 2017 as a new addition to the standard Jack Daniel’s lineup.  Jack Daniel’s Rye is produced using a mash bill of 70% rye,18% corn and 12% malted barley.

It follows the same Lincoln County Process that makes Tennessee whiskey unique. It is a NAS release, and it also has a really good ABV.

Also Read: Gentleman Jack vs Woodford Reserve bourbon

Jack Daniel’s Rye Whiskey Review

COUNTRY: USA

ABV: 45%

COLOUR: Light amber

NOSE: Tropical banana, hints of dark chocolate and toasted oak. Cinnamon and sweetness.

PALATE: Freshly baked banana bread, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Drying cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of chocolate sweetness. Bits of oily wood and vanilla.

FINISH: Black pepper and spicy cinnamon and oak spices.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Jack Daniel’s Rye Tennessee whiskey has a medium body and an oily mouthfeel. The oak spices and cinnamon is captured by the oily wood for a warming finish. Not the most complex whiskey, but very drinkable. It reminds me of a traditional bourbon blended with a shot of grain whisky and a shot of more conventional rye.

It has the tropical fruit notes of  grain whisky, balanced with the spicy rye notes with bits of bourbon vanilla and oak. However, it is softer and more refined than more traditional rye releases that I have tried in the past. Delicious and unique.

It is now widely available in South Africa and retails for around R320. I have seen it on Amazon for around £29.  This makes it a great whiskey for cocktails.  Affordable and a great taste.

Bradley mentioned that it would work wonderfully in a boulevardier cocktail and also a Bloody Mary. The best food pairing is with steak or with dark chocolate. That is a pairing I can get excited about. If you have not tried this yet, go out and grab a bottle. I did a side by side comparison between the Rye and Old No 7 to see how they differ and you can read it by following the link.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey