Jack Daniel's Tennessee Straight Rye

Here's a word for the day: unimpressive. I've heard good things about the single barrel rye Jack Daniel's offers but sadly their regular rye product turns out to be an odd but ultimately unexciting entry into the field. What makes this a weird Rye is that it has that Jack Daniel's trademark banana scent and flavor. Banana is the main nose profile you get with rye lingering awkwardly around the corner. You really need to let this one air out because at first pour the smells don't really mesh together. Once it settles down though it's a pleasant enough mix of banana with a hint of rye spice along with mild notes of artificial cherry that also gives it an almost medicinal like scent, honey and oak. It's not a terrible scent but it's really hard to be excited about. Unlike other more traditional ryes this one doesn't have much of that spicy kick you'd expect from a rye whiskey. Sure it's there but it doesn't really show up until the late mid palate and starts fading away by the time the finish arrives. What's curious is that this tastes overwhelmingly like bananas with some of the oak flavors occassionaly showing up so it feels like you're eating nutty banana bread with some vanilla extract. There's also some hints of a slight medicinal flavor at the front palate. This would honestly be a neat flavor except that it tastes really young to me. I really think this needs to be aged more because it has this weird, almost unaged characteristic to it, almost as if the whiskey itself hasn't yet matured and quite found it's identity. As the banana and rye kick fade out the back palate turns into a nice, almost cereal like quality. It's not very well defined but it isn't bad. Sadly the finish is extremely lackluster. You just get the oak flavors...and that's it. It's severely underwhelming and disappointing. All things considered this is a competent rye whiskey with some potent banana aromas and flavors. If you're a fan of those tasting notes, this may well be worth your attention. Otherwise there just isn't too much to say about this rye other than it exists and makes for a decent budget option. It's not bad. It really isn't. But I just feel like I want more out of my ryes. I'll be on the look-out for the single barrel Jack Daniel's Rye. I hear good things about that outing and this one shows they have the potential to make something unique and spectacular.

N: Chalky mineral banana (it is JD, after all). Mint, green grain, green banana. Caramel, vanilla. Medicine and cleaning supplies - just the right amount. Ethanol starts to get a bit strong the longer you keep your nose in the glass - can't complain at the price though. P: Caramel, vanilla, baking spice (like a cardamom or a caraway). Dash of milk chocolate. Mid palate stays rich, round and malty with a bit of coffee roast and some sweet oak. Finish puts good heat on the tip of the tongue right away, but that fades and you get a nice bitter oak, more caramel, vanilla, green rye grain, and a mint that moves from leaf to candy to breath mint over time. My first thought was, how is this 15 bucks? I didn't even notice it was 90 proof until half the bottle was gone. But then I remembered the Old Overholt BIB (i.e. 100 proof), which is hands down better (no shame in that) and runs about $20, as I recall. Seems great rye can be had cheap. And this, a pretty good rye, can be had even cheaper. It's no doubt a JD product - you get that profile early - but what comes later adds great depth, flavor, and character. This is easily repeatable, an easy pick up at the grocery store if you're not sure what to grab.

On a visit to Nashville, we took a side excursion to the Jack Daniels Distillery. It was a great tour and worth your time to visit if you find yourself in Tennessee. After the tour, I was hoping to grab some distillery exclusives but unfortunately there were none available. I grabbed two of these as the price was reasonable and JD will stop production of the Straight Rye series. N: A simple sweetness nose. Vanilla Coke entwined with Fig Newtons and worn leather. There are light baking spice and anise notes just enough to keep the vanilla honest. P: An edgy palate with soft sweetness. Vanilla, banana nut bread with walnuts and caramel drizzle. The sharpness, which is most sensed comes to focus towards the finish of black and white pepper. F: The tongue tingle sticks but ultimately fades to a drying woody, minty and charcoaled flavor that hangs around briefly. O: Decent. It works better as a mixer than a sipper. Holds up given the higher proof. However, as a sipper, I would suggest to throw in a cube or two. Seek it out before there are none available for the flavor and the novelty. [85/100][Tasted: 6/9/23]

70% rye masbill, charcoal filtered, 45% abv. Tasted neat. Copper color and decent legs in the glass. Sweet caramel, vanilla oak, and peanut shells on the nose. Rather light and missing rye spice. In the mouth, sweet and oak, earthy leather, and vanilla. Thick and coating (oily) mouthfeel, but not overly sweet--that's a winner! A little char smoke appears in the finish which highlights vanilla, oak, and some spicy and dry grassy rye notes. Average length, turning a little sour at the end. An average rye, not overly complex, nor ethanol-driven as happens in some cheaper ryes. At 45% abv this will mix well. Sipping it is OK; an ice cube doesn’t hurt but isn't necessary to tamp down off flavors or ethanol. And at the price... sure, mix away! Who doesn't want a Rye and Ginger from time to time, especially in dodgy bars where Jack rules. Nothing wrong with that.

This is an older review never posted but I just got another bottle on sale for $15 so figured post away. : I wanted to get a rye with a different mashbill. There are a lot with 95 rye and a lot with 51rye. This one at 70% fit the bill . Nose I get juicy fruit gum for sure along with banana and doughy rye combining for a banana bread of sorts. Also some burnt campfire marshmallow and a little dill as well. Palate provides more banana,rye dough, touch of caramel and char with a little heat. Finishes with fading sweetness and cereal, minimal burn with oak/char/dill hanging on. I was leery of JD rye but this is good stuff, suits my sweet palate well. Overall Im surprised and impressed and feel this is a unique enjoyable profile for a rye. 83/100......great value here and the single barrel is even a few clicks better

Tasted neat at a restaurant. Never had a Jack Daniel's rye before so this is an interesting experiment. I am most definitely a rye fan. Served neat in a tasting glass, a swirl shows good sheeting and multiple small tears running down into the bowl. This should have good mouthfeel. The nose is fruit cake and christmasy spices. Very little ethanol. Very pleasant nose. On the palate it's delicious, soft, sweet and really approachable. It actually reminds me of Templeton The Good Stuff only better. Don't get me wrong, Templeton has its own faults but I like it. I like this one more! I think I'd want a bit more horsepower for serious cocktails, but this one is quite nice neat and would translate well into something like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Recommended.