Jack Daniel’s Twin Blend Tennessee Tasters’ Whiskey Review
By Douglas Fraser
Rating: A-
This past autumn, Jack Daniel’s Distillery announced the sixth and seventh whiskeys in its experimental Tennessee Tasters’ Selection series: Jamaican Allspice and 14E19 “Twin” Blend. The series is done in 375 ml “pocket” bottles, and for this pair the release is limited to 24,000 bottles. Here I’ll tackle the “Twin” Blend.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Tasters’ Selection 14E19 “Twin Blend” Selection #007 is a blend of 50 barrels, 20 Straight Tennessee Whiskey barrels and 30 Straight Tennessee Rye Whiskey barrels hand selected by Master Taster Jessica Hartline. This makes it the latest entry in a discrete category of whiskeys called hybrids, the best known example probably being Wild Turkey’s Forgiven.
All barrels have an entry date of May 19, 2014, and have been married together to create a robust and complex expression from Jack Daniel’s that is one of a kind. This Tennessee whiskey is bottled at 53.5% ABV/107 proof and is charcoal filtered which gives the spirit its distinct Tennessee whiskey flavor. Jack Daniels Tennessee Tasters’ “Twin Blend” was released earlier this year.
The Whiskey
Color: Amber Gold
I am not one for regular Jack Daniel’s expressions, but this Tennessee Tasters’ Twin Blend is quite nice. On the nose are sweet aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, caramelized apples, sweet BBQ, honeysuckle, and brown sugar. These are coated with an overall charcoal smell that emanates from the spirit. On the palate are more notes of sweet and smoky BBQ, charcoal, vanilla, rye spice, and burnt sugar which leads to a complex mix of tasting notes. The finish is long and lingering with notes of roasted pecans, rye spice, smokiness, and then leads to a sweet caramel and floral note.
The Price
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Tasters’ Selection 14E19 “Twin Blend” can be found in select areas for $40 officially, but is sometimes marked up to $50.