Jack Daniel’s Bonded

Jack and Coke. Jack and Ginger. Jack on the rocks. Shot of Jack. We’ve all ordered the ubiquitous Jack Daniel’s black label at some point in our life, or we still are for that matter. It’s an iconic American brand. It’s arguably the best known American whiskey the world over.

It’s link to music is unquestioned, if there’s a guitar and drums, there’s a bottle of Jack somewhere. Probably.

Whether you call it Tennessee Whiskey or Bourbon (both are correct) every bar on earth seems to have it. To the whiskey insaniac, the 80 proof point is intolerable. The insaniac believes it better to hit the single barrels, or the barrel strength, or the Sinatra, all offering higher proof, and more robust Jack flavors. Well, Jack Daniel’s just flexed its super pumped muscles once more, as they have released a 100 proof bottled in bond version, and let me tell you folks, this is a revelation.

his is not your daddy’s Jack. Unless it’s your daddy daddy. You know.

We all know Jack has flavor, but until this one, we simply didn’t know just how much 20 proof points could matter. Well it does, and it enhances all the notes that we all love. Interestingly it dampens the banana notes that were prominent in the legacy edition release (86 proof), and allows some of the char and oak to come forward. The caramel is still there, and the yeast does show, but the winner is the punch of proof, which allows for a rich and satisfying finish. It comes in at $45 a liter here in New Orleans so use that as your price gauge. Do NOT overpay for this, this is not something you should chase hard. This is not a unicorn. It’s simply Jack Daniel’s black label, enhanced.

This legacy edition was multiple-levels better than the standard black, but it’s not better than the new bonded..

With this new release we should all take the opportunity to go back and experience our favorite Jack-Tales and try that coke, or ginger ale with a 100 proof powerhouse of flavor, and relive our glory days.

Mickey Pinstripe