Jack Daniel's Old #7 Brand Review

Whiskey ranks as my favorite style of liquor and I have a handful of brands that I usually reach for when I make a run to the liquor store. Canada has some very good whiskey and the state of Kentucky is also known for its notable efforts in the whiskey arena. But the place most synonymous with good whiskey is Tennessee and its most prized possession is Jack Daniels Old No. 7, a brand of whiskey with almost universal name recognition.

Whiskey Commentary:

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey is tan/golden in color with a scent that combines slightly burnt grains, alcohol, caramel, and charcoal. This whiskey is medium in body and leaves small legs on the sides of a glass when swirled around.

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 has an interesting taste that includes flavors such as assorted cereal grains, charcoal, wood, and rye. There is some sweetness up front, followed by a bitter, slight alcohol burn in the finish which leads to an aftertaste that offers a little bit of vanilla, a little bit of nuttiness, and a little bit of smoked grain.

A quick check of the ingredients reveals that Jack Daniels No. 7 is produced using corn, rye, barley malt, and water. It is distilled using a special process where the whiskey is poured over sugar maple charcoal, followed by aging in charred white oak barrels. The final analysis shows an alcohol content of 40 percent (80 proof) and there are about 72 calories in a one ounce (30 ml) serving.

Jack Daniels Old No. 7 ranks as one of the most popular and most widely recognized names in the world of distilled spirits and it is a brand I have been enjoying for more than 20 years. What makes Jack Daniels Old No. 7 so special is more than just its taste- it is also a result of the brand's reputation and legacy. Jack Daniels No. 7 has been known for its smoothness and quality for more than one hundred years and it has several awards to prove its worthiness among the world's best whiskies. Jack Daniels won its first Gold Medal at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and continued to win international acclaim year after year. The special charcoal mellowing process is the key reason why Jack Daniels is able to achieve such a unique taste and this recipe went unchanged for many years.

With the taste, Jack Daniels does offer a unique and flavorful whiskey that has a good deal of complexity and distinction. However, Jack Daniels No. 7 isn't quite as tasty as it was in the past. The reason is because the recipe was altered slightly a few years ago, resulting in a somewhat lighter body and a reduced alcohol level of 40 percent (80 proof). As most any Jack Daniels lover knows, the product used to be distilled, bottled, and sold at 43 percent alcohol (86 proof). This may not seem like a big difference, but these changes have been enough to noticeably impact the taste. The Jack Daniels of old was a little richer in color and body, with a stronger taste of grain, charcoal, and the other flavors that make the whiskey unique.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

In spite of the changes made to the recipe back in 2004, I am still a fan of Jack Daniels No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. The Jack of old was worthy of a higher rating, but I still like the new and reduced quality of the new Jack Daniels enough to give it four stars and a recommendation. I agree that it isn't as good as before, but my loyalty to the brand is still strong and I still enjoy a good Jack and Coke or even a shot of Jack every now and then.