Jack Daniel’s is one of those polarising brands. Some people love it; some people hate it. Regardless of your view, Jack Daniel’s has become a cult brand worldwide, and you can find it in most bars and liquor stores. But when it comes to Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack whiskey, what sets them apart?
Jack Daniel’s whiskey story begins with the enigmatic Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel, a man of Welsh and Scottish descent. He established the Jack Daniel’s distillery around 1866.
During his lifetime, grew rapidly and made Tennessee a significant player in the American distilling industry. Jack, a confirmed bachelor, left the distillery to his nephew Lem Motlow.
Jack Daniel’s remained in the family until 1956, when Brown-Forman acquired it. This drinks conglomerate has nurtured the brand ever since. Jack Daniel’s is renowned as the highest-selling American whiskey globally.
However, it’s important to note that despite its production methods resembling bourbon, it’s not considered bourbon due to one key difference.
Tennessee whiskey, including Jack Daniel’s, undergoes a filtration process known as the Lincoln County Process, where the spirit is filtered through sugar maple charcoal before maturation.
Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon
The iconic Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 is the flagship product in this Tennessee whiskey range and undergoes this filtration process once before ageing in oak casks. It has no age statement.
In 1988, Gentleman Jack debuted as an upscale offering, catering to consumers seeking a more premium experience. What distinguishes Gentleman Jack from its sibling is its unique filtration process.
This whiskey is twice filtered through sugar maple charcoal, first before entering the barrel and then again before bottling.
While some sources suggest that Gentleman Jack may be aged longer than the regular Jack Daniel’s, it’s essential to note that the ageing process for Jack Daniel’s is determined by the distillers’ judgment, making it challenging to define an exact age.
| Jack Daniel's Old no 7 | Gentleman Jack | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tennessee Whiskey | Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash bill | 80% corn, 12% barley and 8% rye | 80% corn, 12% barley and 8% rye |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Colour | Light amber | Golden dark copper |
| Nose | Sweet with caramel, vanilla and dry oak and a hint of smoke. Some dried fruit and marzipan. | Spicy oak, caramel and vanilla sweetness and faint hints of wood smoke. It has a sophisticated edge to it. |
| Palate | Toasted oak and butterscotch sweetness. Hints of vanilla, overripe cherries and nuts. Something like sour cherries and cereal on the palate. It is quite an oily whiskey. Mellow and smooth. | Smoky oak and hints of charcoal. Herbal notes are coming through mixed with chocolate, rich dark roast coffee, hints of pepper and cinnamon intertwined with cherry sweetness and vanilla. The palate is bold and quite a big mouthful. |
| Finish | Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice. | Medium length with dark Indian spices and faint bits of charcoal and vanilla. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Comments | Not very complex. However, it is easy-drinking and great to use in marinades or basting sauce when cooking. | It has a distinctive personality, smooth, complex but it easy drinking and smoother and richer than the regular Jack Daniel's |
| Price | $27 | $35 |
| Pairs well with | Smoky chicken, KFC | Buttered NY strip steak |
When it comes to the taste, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 offers notes of toasted oak, cherries, vanilla, and nuts. It’s mellow and smooth but not overly complex. In contrast, Gentleman Jack presents a richer and more complex profile with additional smoky oak, cinnamon, dark roast coffee, and a blend of cherries and vanilla.
It remains an easy-drinking whiskey but offers a more profound flavour experience. The distinctive Jack Daniel’s distillery notes are more harmoniously integrated in Gentleman Jack.
In essence, Jack Daniel’s vs Gentleman Jack can be likened to comparing someone from the rougher side of town who made it big through hard work and perseverance (Jack Daniel’s) with a confident, well-dressed, and comfortable individual (Gentleman Jack).
In addition to this exploration, I’ve also compared Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve bourbon side-by-side to further dissect their unique qualities and flavour profiles.
Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve
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perfect ... just continue !
I'm a big bourbon guy when it comes to simple cocktails like a Pre-prohibition Old Fashioned. In fact, I typically chose Bourbon over Rye for sweetened drinks, because the bourbon provides more character and requires less sweetener so the cocktail is less sweet with more flavor. I used to like Knob Creek Straight, before they took the aging down. Now it sucks - more burn with far less complex flavor. These days, I feel Evan Williams Master Blend is the best bourbon, and it's what Knob Creek used to be. When it comes to drinking straight whisky, however, I drink either Jack No. 7 on the rocks with a splash of water or Tullamore Dew warm and neat.
Because of their popularity, Jack Daniels is way underrated. It should rank at the upper echelons of bourbon, even though it's technically is not bourbon. To me, Gentleman Jack is to Jack No. 7 what wheated bourbon is to classic Kentucky bourbon - weak, with an almost watered down taste when it comes to flavor. Once I finish this bottle, I'll be sticking with Jack No. 7 from now on.