Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (2024 Release)

Barrel house: 1-06 Barrel number: 24-10385 Bottling date: 06NOV2024 129.5 proof, 64.75% ABV Nice, happy to finally see this out in the wild. I have only heard good things about this product, and have had it recommended to me multiple times now. What I didn't realize is how much time had gone by since hearing about it and having it recommended, which only just now makes sense, knowing this is an annual limited release. I'm happy to have found it at MSRP, but knowing the poor distribution and allocation of the American whiskey market, I assume this will already be sold out by the end of this sentence. I've also never been a fan of people putting corn and rye together and having the boldness of being proud of it as a rye whiskey, but I suppose it's not abysmally hopeless at 70% rye. I will, however, give points on having a barrel strength product that's finally above these weak imposters that sit between 105 and 110. The only thing that would further be improved here is if the age was known, but thank goodness they put the bottling date, like giving us half of the answer was good enough. The color is a combination of chestnut and mahogany, but only if you use the word "rich" in conjunction with describing them both. Initially there is a good amount of red and blue berries on the nose, as well as a chaser of cracked cinnamon, dried grass, vanilla frosting, and some spicy toasted oak. The ethanol is definitely very tame, and allows deep smelling without fear of burning reprisal. Repeated nosing introduces a small tobacco note as well as some other general baking spices, but the sweetness really doubles down as well, this time more detectable as aged corn that's had time to lose the more raw and aggressive side. The initial flavor begins with classic cinnamon and herbaceous rye whiskey notes, but with an added flavor of sweet chocolate sauce. Cinnamon or ethanol burn aside, something begins really clawing and burning the gum line, while spiced French oak and citrus oil flavors also quietly join the party. Those red berries from the nose also come around, more specifically as cherries, but because of the sweetness, have been given the maraschino treatment. The finish is dry but returns to the spice and citrus, with just a touch of that iconic charcoal filter flavor, although this time much more full-bodied than the lower proof stuff. This really is an awesome representation of how rye whiskey can be used, reused, and transformed in the American distilling world, and even though it doesn't tick all the boxes I usually demand from my American ryes, it's uniqueness is all it's own. The charcoal filtering and medium rye mash make for a really fun flavor to dissect, provided you can do so within the few sips it tastes to get snuffed out due to the proof. Don't get it twisted, however, this is how all whiskeys worldwide should be served; you can always add your own water, but I haven't yet acquired the technology needed to take it away. I'd really love to know the age statement here to better understand how the grains have developed, but far more than that, I wish this was more readily available for purchase, or simply more often distributed and allocated. I'm not sure what the deal is with the proofed down version of this same whiskey as far as where and how often it's sold, but if the price is right on that front, Jack Daniel's has provided another great inspiration for single barrel collecting, and helped this drinker to revitalize the thrill of comparing them.

Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. Barrel #: 24-02519 Barrel House: 1-09 Bottling Date: 3-11-24 N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Proof Rye (2024 Release) Rye whiskey has always intrigued me. The spicy, earthy qualities I find more interesting and satisfying. Having the JD Straight Rye which was relatively good (and I believe discontinued) and reasonably priced, the next progression was the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. The SBBP Bourbon is excellent so naturally thinking, I have similar expectations. This release is bottled at a beefy 65.55% abv. N: A greeting on the nose sweet, spicy and earthy. Light brown sugar, vanilla on the sweeter side. Pumpernickel, cinnamon on the spicy side. Leather and petrichor ground the sweet and spice. Deep in the recesses is the JD banana profile. P: After getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25] getting past the anesthetic sip, and the palate acclimated you can begin to taste the flavors. Cola, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla all blended. Chewy. Towards the finish, the rye side comes forward, with barrel char F: Pins and needle’s tongue that fades towards a long, bitter finish. Wood char, cola, cloves with a tinge of spearmint. W: A good dose of water definitely softens the dram. However, the character, the spice and earthiness are diminished. O: This is a solid sipping rye. This sips closer to a bourbon than a rye. Sweeter than grainy. A touch of water definitely softens the experience. A solid nose with an enjoyable and approachable palate with a good, long lasting finish. Add in more rye spice and baking spice and this would be very solid. Would work well in an old fashioned or maybe even a Manhattan. But a good sipper. Comparatively, the Straight Rye I found to be a better mixer. [88/100][Tasted: 2/21/25]

Taste is neat in glencairn, 2nd day pour, let glass sit for probably 20 minutes, heavy swirl. Bottle is 130.1 proof, barrel house 1-09, bottled 3-12-24, 2 small drops of water. Nose: sweet, comes across like a bourbon and has some of the common JD nose profiles banana nut, sweet cinnamon sugar, toffee, some smoke or barrel char. Palate: starts off again much like a bourbon, sweet brown sugar, little banana, little bit of nutiness, caramel, apples, mid palate the rye spice comes racing forward, clove, red hot cinnamon, smoky, she definitely turns into a spicy gal, tails off with a cooling effect like a spearmint. Finish: medium to long finish, not overly complex the spearmint and oak hang on the longest but it completely coats the tongue. Get hints of the apple and smokiness, but interesting the sweet to spicy to minty ride tongue goes on and again not really getting a lot of flavor but I could feel the effects on the tongue well after the last sip. These JD barrel proof ryes are becoming my favorite ryes. Depending on your go to rye this may not be your go to as its going to come off very bourbon forward and not necessarily a traditional rye. You’re gonna get some hints with the mint and spice, but nose and initial palate is sweet and delicious. I tried the neck pour straight no water and actually think the drops of water opened up the proof more than it was straight. For me at anywhere between $69-$89 I’m absolutely gonna buy it. If you like a sweeter bourbon then this will be right up your alley. If you like more of a Willet rye or a Whistle Pig rye then this wouldn’t be a good comparison. In terms of just whiskey fantastic.

JD single barrel barrel proof rye, barrel house 1-06, barrel 24-10996, bottled 11/20/2024, 64.9% ABV. Tasting neat. Penny copper color and average coating legs in the glass. Nose is spicy grass and pepper, sweet grain, stone fruit, and vanilla oak. On the palate, an initial explosion of baking spice, pepper, and mint. Oily coating mouthfeel, rich, sweet, and full. Oak tannins and over-ripe fruit, even bubble gum, and an ethanol bloom leads you towards the tingling finish. Sweet, but nettles and menthol dominate the tingling mouthfeel finish. Sour grapes and smoky vanilla and dry oak and dried fruit earthiness take over in a long long long finish. An ice cube calms the spice and ethanol but the tannins and mint tingle hang around. This is a rye to wrestle with. It's brawny and bold and it's worth the fight. It's not a rye for beginners. Will keep thinking and tasting and get back to you But right now... one of the best ryes I've had in a while.

Barrel house 1-09 Barrel# 24-02685 Bottlling date 3.14.24 - Pi Day Proof: 135.7 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium-dark amber. Nose: This is apple pie. Apples, caramel, graham crackers with a fair amount of pie spices. Palate: Big clove and baking spice, with some of the apple pie from the nose just beneath the surface. Finish: More warm than hot, but the length is impressive. It just won't quit. Splash: Some of the spice from the palate is calmed, but no new flavors appear. Overall: 9/10 - This lives up to the hype. I had lazily chased this for a while before lucking out at a store that had 4 bottles on the shelf, with no limit. It's not quite a daily drinker at 135.7 proof, but it will make some killer cocktails or hold up to a large ice sphere.

Barrel 24-00150 bottled 1/5/24 barrel house 1-07. Banana, burnt caramel, a little grassy and clove on the nose. Mouthful tastes exactly like it smells with a bit more spice and maybe a touch of honey and oak. The finish lingers into dark chocolate.