I’m not the biggest JD fan, so I approached this Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee with some trepidation. I’ve never liked the original Old No. 7 or the Gentleman too much. I have enjoyed some of the single barrels but they vary so wildly in quality so I’ve been hesitant to put any money down on one, though that might be changing.
Between my general ambivalence towards Jack as a whiskey and the crazy swings between amazing and disgusting in their SiBs, it’s fair to say I’m a tad gun-shy of new JD products. So with all of that history in mind, I poured this Bonded Jack Daniel’s and cautiously sat down for this review.
Now, let’s get to drinkin’ and see what I found in my glass.
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Style: Tennessee Whiskey
Region: TN, USA
Distiller: Jack Daniel’s (Brown-Forman)
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 12% Rye, 8% Malt
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 50%
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey Price: $30*
Related Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 07
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey Tasting Notes
EYE
Coppery amber
NOSE
Dulce de leche, vanilla, oak, baking spice, milk chocolate and a touch of sponge cake and Twizzlers.
A surprisingly complex and interesting aroma that conjures an array of dark sweets.
PALATE
Oak, caramel cake, roasted corn, baking spice, vanilla, toast, touch of earthiness and dried cherries
Tastes more like the usual Jack Daniel’s, but an elevated, more complex and interesting, version.
FINISH
Med-long -> Roasted corn, caramel, baking spice and a light candy sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well-balanced, medium-full body and a warm light oily feel.
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey – Overall Thoughts and Score
This is something I would actually consider buying if I was looking for a TN that wasn’t named George or Belle. It has a core profile that’s all Jack, but it’s a bit more refined and bold across the senses. It delivers more interesting and subtle notes that make it a nice sipper.
The one thing that does make me shake my head though is the 700ml size. I knew it was only a matter of time before US brands would do it, but it seems like Brown-Forman was just waiting to pounce on it so they could cut 50ml and charge the same price.
That said, I actually do like the size, overall design and form factor for this Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey. Just wish brands would knock a buck or two from their prices when they do the now-legal downgrade in size.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
Jack Daniel's Bonded Tennessee Whiskey Review $30
Overall
3.5- Nose (3.5)
- Palate (4)
- Finish (3)
- BBF (3.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)*Disclosure: The bottle for this Tennessee Whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
