Back in 2018, Jack Daniel’s first released its Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey. The limited edition, highly allocated drops took the brand’s classic Tennessee whiskey distillate (which is mellowed through sugar maple charcoal), then aged it for seven years in special barrels that were heavily toasted but only lightly charred. These particular releases also saw the whiskey enter casks at 100 proof instead of Jack’s typical 125.
The techniques paid homage to much earlier days of American whiskey making, especially regarding how barrels were constructed before the days of automation. And the resulting liquid—bottled as single barrels at 100 proof—quickly became a fan favorite, praised for its sweet and oak-forward take on the typical Jack Daniel’s profile.
Now, Jack Daniel’s is making its Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey a permanent addition to its product line. With a guaranteed seven-year age statement and a price tag of $70, these single barrel bottles may just be some of the best values in American whiskey.
What separates the Heritage Barrel release isn’t a mash bill; it’s JD’s typical 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye, filtered through sugar maple charcoal. But when combined, that lower barrel entry proof, the different style of barrels, and seven full years of maturation lead to a whiskey all its own. According to a brand press release, barrels earmarked for Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey are also aged at higher elevations than typical Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
We recently tasted a single barrel sample of the new, always-on Heritage Barrel release. While flavors may vary from one barrel to the next, the whiskey is undeniably good. The nose features some hallmarks of the classic Jack Daniel’s profile, with brûléed banana, dark caramel, spiced apple butter, and smoked maple syrup. The palate is equally pleasing and maybe a touch more, with a hefty helping of both oak and fruit (think cooked orchard fruit like peaches and apricots). The entire experience is carried by a creamy mouthfeel that feels right in the pocket for its proof point. That all leads to a lengthy finish that’s big on wood sugar sweetness but also remarkably bright with more cooked fruit and a touch of baking spice.
Since that first Heritage Barrel release, it’s safe to say the brand has been on an absolute heater when it comes to specialty whiskeys. These include a new bottled-in-bond line, barrel proof rye, malt whiskey, and age-stated Tennessee whiskeys clocking in at 10, 12, and 14 years old. But while Jack’s age-stated and “Special Release” bottles have proven consistently delicious, they’re not necessarily easy to find, with many versions commanding significant markups at retail and on the secondary market.
With Heritage Barrel, the behemoth whiskey maker has taken one of those highly sought-after whiskeys and made it a permanent member of a core lineup. That should make the whiskey much, much easier to find at or close to the suggested retail price.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is now rolling out in nationwide distribution, with a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750 milliliter bottle. The company says international distribution will begin in the coming months.