Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2023 Release)

134.6. That's the proof. That's a real proof there. That one. I think the highest proof rye I've ever had before this was 132 with Alberta Premium Cask Strength. And I love the Alberta. I like this more. Yes, I have tasted them side-by-side, and as has been noted, the 100% Rye of Alberta may give it less dimensionality than when you mix up the mash bill. When you taste them next to each other, you realize just how robust the JD is. It's full of flavor. Rounded. More complex. I should note that usually I only do one tasting a night. Tonight I've done three. Heading into Dry July, I'm trying to review all the bottles I have open that are right next door to done. So I missed out on the Barrel Proof Rye JD released during COVID. The special release. They get like 10 bottles for the whole state of Pennsylvania, sell them at SRP but you know, there's like 12 million people in PA. A lot are children. But a lot are adults and whisky drinkers. In other words, you're winning the lotto if you're getting a special release bottle. Which is why it warmed my heart that they were releasing a standard Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye at $75. I picked up this one, opened it, loved it, went out and bought a second for posterity. Old age. When whiskies are just too expensive to buy anymore. When only the 1% can afford them. So the actual whisky here is great. One of the best ryes I've ever had, and I've had a lot of good ones. I mean, I love rye, more than bourbon, less than scotch. In between zone. The nose on this is candied, fruity, I sort of get a skittles vibe, taste the rainbow of fruit flavors. There is JD's signature banana, but there's also cherry red, and orange and lemon lime. It's kind of crazy to me why it's got this aroma, this is a rye, right? I've never even had a bourbon with such a sweet profile. This is pure desert whisky in a lot of ways. The palate has this crazy thing where it kind of tastes like, well, you ever get one of those swirling lollipops at the zoo that are...well, I've already mentioned it, a rainbow. All the colors. And the flavor isn't real fruit, it is artificial. Honestly, because of that, I could see this whisky turning some people off. The finish is long and that's the first place you get anything different from fruit flavors, a little added spice. I don't know. I have to be honest. I'm not always in the mood for this, so this bottle has lasted a lot longer than bottles usually last for me. I bought it and cracked it in late-January. I'm not one to open all my bottles and leave them for when I'm in the mood. I usually have a bottle of bourbon, a bottle of rye, a bottle of scotch and a bottle of Irish open and when I finish one, I crack another of that variety. The fact that I opened this in January and it's lasted until now is kind of a record for me. But this is my last pour. And I'm enjoying it. But I'm also not fretting. I have another in the basement shelving unit where I keep my whiskies. But I'll likely give it a few years. And if they release another batch this year, I'm all in. Love this stuff. Though I have to say their standard Single Barrel Barrel Proof is also amazing. Solid whisky through and through.

The nose is dense and rich starting with whipped cream topped pecan pie, sautéed apples and candied fennel seeds then freshly baked pumpernickel bread and dark chocolate covered espresso beans followed by banana pudding, cherry pie and powdered sugar bubble gum that transitions to spearmint, freshly lacquered oak furniture and pipe tobacco with high ethanol burn. The taste is a syrupy rich mouthfeel starting with freshly lacquered oak furniture, sautéed apples and spearmint gum then a moderate spice that slowly fades to pecan pie, charred pumpernickel bread and spicy dark chocolate mocha followed by bananas foster, maraschino cherries and powdered sugar bubble gum that transitions to cloves, ginger and freshly lit pipe tobacco with high ethanol burn. The finish is long starting with a mild spice that quickly fades to banana pudding, charred pumpernickel bread and toasted marshmallow followed by dark chocolate covered roasted peanuts, spearmint, freshly lacquered oak furniture and pipe tobacco. This is a hell of a rye that the flavors are intense, bold and rich which strikes an incredible balance of sweet creamy fruits that are underscored by moderate rye spices along with well-aged oak notes that suffers from a mild youthful sourness but is otherwise an outstanding rye that could easily go head to head with some of the best ryes in the market today and hold its own against them. At a price of $70, this is an absolute steal IMHO and one that I think any high proof rye fan will highly enjoy.

JDSBBP Rye 134.1 Proof 67.05% Bottling Date 12-7-23 Barrel 23-10522 Barrel house 1-09 Aroma - dark fruits with red fruits blended together. Getting the nose into the glass offers a different fruit profile each and every time. Sometime it’s plums, dates, raisins.. sometimes strawberries and raspberries come through. Then there is a brown sugar and raisin bread notes. From time to time I pick up a blue berry cotton candy note.. super weird but I really like it! Alcohol is pretty well hidden here too.. this one could be a dangerous pour Taste - Oh Lord… it follows the nose but with a touch more rye presence in the form of a bubblegum note in the finish. Alcohol presence is really tamed here. The hug is mild considering the proof. I’m gonna black out for sure with this one… I’ll probably wake up tonight on the couch with corn chip crumbles sprinkled all over my shirt and half consumed bag of Reese’s peanut butter cups laying next to me with their wrappers thrown on the floor. Overall - This is exceptional. I reviewed a SBBP Rye last year that was much lower in proof and it was simply a mess. This is bottle though is tremendous. It is not overly complex, but full of flavor and long lasting finish. Must buy if you like high ABV offerings. Would pull the trigger up to $90.

134.4 proof. I added just a splash of water to this, as I usually do with 130+ proofers. Nose is bold with cinnamon roll, banana bread, white pepper, lemon zest, maple, and a hint of charcoal. I like it, but it’s a bizarre nose for a rye. Ethanol is exceptionally low given the proof (water splash may have helped) Palate has a lot going on; butterscotch, rye, black pepper, baking spices (cinnamon, clove), tobacco, chocolate, and green apple. PUNCHY. Runs hot with spice throughout. Finish is insanely long with loads more spice/heat, cherry, fennel, wintergreen, barrel char, burnt caramel sugars, leather, and a hint of anise. Mouthfeel is oily but has a decent amount of graininess and dryness to it; could have used more smoothness given the intensity of the flavor profile. So it’s robust, flavorful, and complex but also kind of wild, unruly, and all over the place. Definitely doesn’t have the qualities that I would associate with or look for in a world class rye. I know there’s many that are in love with this expression but it just didn’t come together for me. At 74.99 that I paid, it’s hard to say it’s overpriced in today’s market but lots of bottles out there I’d rather have at a similar price point so falls short of rebuy status.

Nose- The nose gives off rich maple syrup, fresh ground cloves, and oak. There is also a bit of chewy nougat in the background. Palate- at first sip I get candied orange and dark chocolate, whixh then gives way to some molasses and that maple syrup I had gotten on the nose. Finish- this lingers to a nice warm orange candy finish with a drizzle of dark chocolate, and spice. There is a bit of a waxiness near the end that I haven't decided if I like yet. Kind of like those waxy tube candies with the liquid inside. It is not overly sweet, but there is another layer that it fades to. Overall- This is a smashing hit! I enjoyed this way better than the 2020 Special Release. Quality, rich, deliciously layered rye all the way. Water helps release some if the concentrated flavors, but for "proofies" this will pass the muster right out of the bottle. I enjoyed it more with 3 drops to tame a bit of the heat and be able to separate the flavor notes, but suit yourself. This is NAS, but literature puts these barrels between 7-8years. This is one if you can find, completely outkicks the coverage

This particular barrel was bottled in 8/23. Proof is noted at 131.6, 65.8% ABV. On the nose banana bread, cinnamon, apple, vanilla, bubble gum. Smells a lot like the barrel proof Tennessee whisky. Maybe slightly spicier. The palate is much the same as on the nose. There's a slight savory note that I'm sure is attributable to the rye. Good bit of burn going down. Could probably benefit from some water or a cube of ice. I was excited to find this at a reasonable price and am pleased with the bottle, but kind of also expected a little more considering all the buzz the 2020 special release got. I'm also tasting this after the ECBP C923, which is a particularly exceptional whiskey, and this isn't on the same level. It feels pretty similar to the barrel proof Tennessee whisky with a little more spice to it. I'd give the rye the nod between the two, as I enjoy the complexity that the rye adds. Overall, very good bottle, but not one I think worth paying a premium on secondary or going really out of your way to find.