The Schtick: An unexpected but incredibly welcome release from the Tennessee brand Jack Daniels, this is Jack Daniel’s 14yr release. The oldest and highest proof release yet in their age stated series, this bottling retails for about $150 although pricing is sure to be fairly dynamic nationwide. JD14 (the abbreviation you’re sure to see everywhere) is distilled rom 80% corn, 12% malted barley and 8% rye. Alongside the launch of JD14, JD10 and 12 also received new batch releases, which we’ll hit in a future review. Most JD is bottled quite young (compared to its competitors) so the 10 and 12yr releases have been generally well reviewed (I enjoyed them myself) and I’m curious how even more age, and more importantly, a hefty proof increase, benefits this whiskey. Let’s dive in.
Disclosure: Jack Daniels provided this bottle for review. My image.
Review #2581 | Bourbon Review #1115
Distiller: Jack Daniels
Bottler: Jack Daniels
Brand: Jack Daniels
Selection: None
ABV: 63.15% ABV
Age: 14 Years
Nose: Powerful nose, rich and loaded with char. Graham cracker, honey, barrel char, pepper, rich cocoa and fudge, caramels and just a faint hint of banana, tropical fruit and peaches. Back to creme brulee and dark caramels.
Taste: Rich on the palate. Layered, syrupy, sticky, coating, rich. Tons of pepper, caramel, a hint of fudgy tobacco, strong oak, walnuts and a faint hint once more of those fruits. It’s so rich, the proof brings this viscous, chewy, amazing mouthfeel but doesn’t prickly or numb. Really nice.
Finish: Long finish, the star of the show. I typically find most JD to have less going on than this pour – it hangs and hangs, powerful but balanced and full of walnuts, char, pepper, light espresso, big caramels and a decadent creaminess. Amazing.
Overall: It’s the best Jack Daniels I’ve had without a doubt and I suspect this will bring new eyes to the brand much in the same way RR13 gave tons of fresh attention to a brand that drinks in the know already knew was great. This 14 is a statement, a bruiser, a spectacle and the best Jack Daniels I’ve poured by far. Crazy good stuff.
Thanks for reading!
Rank: 9
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