You know what’s good? A whiskey. You know what’s better? Three whiskeys! Pub W just rolled out their April whiskey flight and they were nice enough to invite us to help out with writing the tasting notes (the official sheet with our notes are at the bottom of this post). So last Monday we snagged a table with the Pub W crew, including Beverage Manager Rick, as well as the Brown Foreman rep and went to work! We got to taste Gentlemen Jack, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, and Jack’s newest expression, a 4.5 year-ish old Single Barrel Rye.
So, check out our expanded tasting notes below on each offering, then head on over to Pub W and snag yourself a flight for only $13 (it come’s with a glass too).
Gentlemen Jack
Aroma: Right off the bat there is a ton of ethanol in the aroma here, so let this one hang out for a few minutes so that can waft away. Once it chills a bit, there are some great fruity and earthy notes with red apples, cherry, caramel, grass, and cinnamon.
Taste: Fruity and sweet with apple, caramel, cloves, and a hint of dry oak.
Finish: Smooth and very sweet with a touch of cinnamon heat and oak.
Overall: The “twice charcoal mellowed” thing is no shit. Running this juice through the old Lincoln County Process really results in a sweet and smooth experience. A little sweet for our tastes, sure, but still an interesting sip and a nice opener to the flight.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel
Aroma: This is more like it. Rich caramel with light vanilla, cherry candy, oak, and rye spice. There’s a balance to the aroma with that oak and rye.
Taste: It’s got a great velvet mouthfeel with juicy red fruit, vanilla, rye heat, and caramel and, like the aroma, great balance.
Finish: Spicy and dry with oak and black pepper.
Overall: We’d been wanting to try this one for a while given that people we trust on the internet have had positive experiences with it, and they are totally right. It’s deep and complex and kept me wanting more, but no time for that, it’s rye time.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye
Aroma: Huge green apple candy (I say that with almost every rye I drink, I know, but damn it it’s true), subtle floral notes, rich honey, and a hint of dry oak
Taste: It’s nice and rich, almost honey like, but balanced with huge rye spice. Of course I get green apple candy from it, but it’s not too overpowering. It’s not a super complex sip, but it’s nice.
Finish: The sweetness fades here leaving a long, rich, and spicy ending.
Overall: I dig it. I’ve seen mixed things about this, but honestly I really enjoyed it. I tend to like ryes on the younger side, and this 4-4.5 year old is right up my alley. At only $55 or so a bottle we’ll probably be snagging one soon for the collection.
Alright, if you made it this far then you’re a trooper and you deserve some whiskey. Check out the official tasting sheet below featuring some of our notes then go get you some.
