Ooooh George Dickel 8. You’re not 8 years old (more like 4-6), but you are the classic. The standby that has always been there and been ready and willing to supply that high corn Tennessee whiskey fix (except for a brief shortage in mid 2007 – early 2008 due to a shut down from 99-03). I’ve enjoyed George for quite some time and it’s fun to sit down and finally give the little guy a proper review.
First thing to note is what sets it apart from that other famous Tennessee whiskey. Both use the Lincoln county process, which involves filtering the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before barreling it. However, Jack Daniels drips theirs into a 10 foot vat so it can seep in and drip out the bottom before being barreled. Dickel on the other-hand chills their whiskey to 40F before filling their charcoal filled vats with the whiskey and then letting it filter through. This chill filtration they claim creates a cleaner, smoother spirit and comparing it to Jack… they’re right.
George Dickel 8 Review
ABV: 40%
Age: 4-6 years
Price: $18
Distiller: George A Dickel & Co. /Diageo
Mashbill: 84% corn, 8% rye & 8% malted barley
EYE
Honey yellow
NOSE
Green apples, honey, cinnamon, caramel and corn dance out of the glass. Light notes of orchard fruit, sawdust, char and an almost herbal spice make an appearance but don’t make a fuss. It’s a clean crisp nose that has a decent amount of depth to it and I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
TASTE
More honey, apples and corn along with some apricots and a bit of rye like spice keeping them company. Appearing in fits and spurts are notes of caramel, wood and a deeper pine/mint hybrid that is rather intriguing.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Does whiskey get any easier to drink without completely loosing it’s backbone? Good balance, medium body and a nice easy texture just make me happy to be sipping it in my recliner while writing this review.
FINISH
Medium with notes of caramel, honey, spice and a touch of wood and mint.
OVERALL
80 proof… yup. Chill filtered… yup. So why do I like it so much? Even the infamous Sku loves it so there’s definitely something going on here. The cask strength non-chill filtered whiskey geek in me wants to reject this thing with all I have and I just can’t do it. Hell this is my second bottle this year. The only other things I’ve bough multiples of this year are Ardbeg Uigdal, Laphroaig 10, Glenmorangie 10, Old Grand-Dad, Maker’s Mark, Weller 107 and Wild Turkey 101 which are my standard “go-tos” so I don’t drink through the expensive stuff too quickly. I guess really the only thing I have to say is… welcome to the “regulars” Dickel 8.
SCORE: 85/100
