Jack Daniel’s releases first barrel aged rye

Jack Daniel’s has advanced its foray into the rye whiskey category with the launch of limited edition Jack Daniel’s Rested Tennessee Rye.

Jack Daniel’s Rested Tennessee Rye is the first barrel-aged rye to be released by the brand, owned by Brown-Forman, and follows the launch of its much anticipated Unaged Tennessee Rye in 2012.

Made from a mashbill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley, the expression has been rested for “two cycles of the Tennessee seasons” in new, lightly toasted and charred barrels.

The launch of Jack Daniel’s Unaged Tennessee Rye marked the first time the distillery had formally released a “white dog” and was also its first bottling to use a new grain bill in over 100 years.

“We were pleased with the reception we received from our Jack Daniel’s Unaged Rye,” said Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett. “We felt like it was time for our Jack Daniel’s friends and whiskey enthusiasts alike to see for themselves how the new oak barrel has enhanced the rye whiskey over the last two years.”

Bottled at 40% abv, the new bottling is described as having “complex notes” of vanilla, caramel, fruit and rye spice.

Speaking to The Spirits Business last year, Arnett said that the distillery has been wary of getting carried away with experimentation, to refrain from altering the general public’s perception of Jack Daniel’s and its core offering.

“We have to be careful what we do with the Jack Daniel’s name because when we do something it’s going to mean more than if someone smaller did it,” he said.

Jack Daniel’s Rested Tennessee Rye will be available in select US markets from this month at an RRP of US$49.99.