Jack Daniel’s Brings Home the Gold in a Special-Edition Whiskey

By J. Fergus Published April 24, 2019

Image used with permission by copyright holder

When one thinks about America, one often conjures up images of apple pies, majestic eagles, and Jack Daniel’s. However, a luxurious version of this beloved American whiskey brand has floated under the radar in certain pockets of Asia: Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey. In many Asian cultures, gold is an auspicious symbol, so combined with the region’s discerning taste in whiskey, we can forgive this initial exclusivity.

Now, Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey is finally available in the U.S. for your sipping pleasure. You know how much you love some classic Jack Daniel’s? Well, they’ve doubled up on their award-winning process by double-barreling and double-mellowing.

Recommended Videos

“It’s the standard Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey recipe. Our flagship grain bill,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s assistant master distiller. “So, it starts just like Old No. 7 does. With all the same quality parameters that go into Old No. 7. What makes this product different is towards the end, the barrel aging. Old No. 7 is gonna range from four to five years old, typically. Once the whiskey comes out of the oak barrels for this product, we will re-enter it into a maple barrel.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Imagine being the whiskey in these oak barrels, not knowing if they’re headed off to join some ice and Coca-Cola in your glass or spend another six months to a year in a new barrel. Not knowing if their oaky base would have the opportunity to soak up sweet notes of maple. Not knowing if, after all that, they would be charcoal mellowed yet again.

“It’s a light charcoal mellowing the second time. The first mellowing is done prior to the first barrel, so the whiskey is clear,” said Fletcher.

Old No. 7 is hardly anything to sneeze at, but if whiskeys were sentient, they should definitely be jealous of all the TLC No. 27 receives. All that care and attention results in a smooth, sweet, and complex drinking experience.

“The natural amber hue, along with a scent of toasted oak and honey, offer an intricate texture and taste, making this whiskey a very distinct and luxury product,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett in a statement.

Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold Tennessee Whiskey can be yours for a cool $99.99 a bottle.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

J. loves writing about the vices of life — decadent food, strong drinks, potent cannabis, and increasingly invasive…

Auto

Indian Motorcycle Partnered With Jack Daniels on a Limited-Edition, Blacked-Out Beauty

2021 jack daniels limited edition indian roadmaster dark horse motorcycle daniel s 1

Few things feel as quintessentially American as baseball and apple pie -- except maybe Jack Daniel’s and motorcycles. It’s rarely wise to mix the latter two. For 2021, however, Indian Motorcycle has done just that with another exclusive collaboration with the legendary Tennessee distiller.

2021 Jack Daniel's Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse - Indian Motorcycle

Food & Drink

Wild Turkey Releases Two New Limited Edition Whiskeys

Wild Turkey is one of those Kentucky whiskey brands that doesn't really need to expand its core lineup. After all, what it's known for is quality and affordability, two things that sometimes can be hard to find together. In other words, master distillers Eddie and Jimmy Russell can confidently rest on their laurels. But over the past few years expansion is exactly what the distillery has been doing, with the ultra premium Master's Keep series and additions to the Russell's Reserve brand. Now you can look for two more whiskeys with flags flying under the Wild Turkey banner, one from the aforementioned Master's Keep series, the other a new barrel-proof rye whiskey that is part of the Rare Breed lineup.

Master’s Keep Bottled in Bond is the fifth release under this banner of pricey, limited-release whiskeys. It's a 17-year-old bourbon, and the second Wild Turkey release to carry the BIB designation (the first was the 15-year-old American Spirit released over a decade ago, according to the brand). “With our own Master’s Keep Bottled In Bond, we took the historic process and protocol of aging for four years to the next level and allowed the liquid to rest for 17 years,” said Eddie Russell in a prepared statement. “We aged and perfected this rare, 17-year-old bourbon in Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson rickhouses. This expression is a nod to the past, both our own heritage and the heritage of American whiskey-making as a craft.” Per the BIB rules, the whiskey is bottled at 100 proof, at least four years old, and is the product of one distilling season from one distillery. It's rich and delicious, with a creamy mouthfeel and strong notes of tannin, cherry, chocolate, and prune on the palate. This bourbon was bottled just in time -- it might have gone south after another year or two in the barrel. But as it is, it's a winner. It's not cheap at $175 for a bottle, but for those willing to spend some cash on a high-quality, older-than-usual bourbon, it's certainly worth it.

Food & Drink

Big Whiskey News: Brown-Forman Early Times is Sold to Sazerac

Whiskey in a glass

Early Times whiskey is celebrating its 160th year -- not a bad run for any brand -- but it was announced this week that Brown-Forman is selling the brand to Sazerac. Brown-Forman, which has owned Early Times since 1923, is unloading the whiskey brand along with Canadian brands Canadian Mist and Collingwood -- so it's possible that this deal is more about those than it is about Early Times. More people drink Early Times than you might think, as the brand claims that it is "the seventh-largest unflavored whiskey in the United States available in markets around the world."

“Early Times and Canadian Mist have been valued brands in our portfolio for many years, and they each have played significant roles in our company’s history,” said Lawson Whiting, president and CEO of Brown-Forman, in a prepared statement. “We are thankful to all the people who have distilled, bottled, shipped, marketed, and distributed these brands with care over the years.” Sazerac CEO and president also expressed his delight in acquiring what he called "iconic brands."