For Jack’s 160th birthday in 2010, the Distillery took the commonly used Heritage bottle, and with a few modifications, made a bottle unlike any before it. No longer clear glass, this bottle was painted black by Chattanooga Labeling Systems. The idea came from Michael Osborne Design, which also devised the black label for the bottle and the box in which it came. While the 750ml size is quite common, the 1 liter version of this bottle was only released in a limited number of states.

As a whiskey maker and a barrel maker, we see the barrel not simply as a container but as an ingredient. This unique whiskey began with a hand-crafted barrel that matured Jack Daniel’s. Once emptied, it aged fine Tennessee red wine. Then, finally it returned home to finish a small batch of our Tennessee Whiskey and delivers a 90-proof whiskey. What emerges from this second barreling are notes of caramel and oak with whispers of cherry and blackberry. We think you will be intrigued by this new finish and celebrate with us the reunion of our barrel and whiskey.

Selected by Master Distiller and Master Taster Jeff Arnett.

Released: 

Selection Number: 3

Jack Daniel’s Just Dropped a New Limited-Edition Whiskey Aged in Tequila Barrels

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Distillery Series selection #11 is a Tennessee Whiskey that’s finished in Añejo Tequila barrels. Bottled at 90 proof, it’s available in 375ml bottles  According to Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, “this añejo tequila barrel-finished whiskey pushes the bounds on what people may expect out of a Tennessee Whiskey, yet still has the familiar characteristics that are uniquely Jack Daniel’s.

The Distillery Series, as you may have gleaned from the name, are whiskey releases that are available to purchase from the distillery (and also at a few select Tennessee retailers). These are smaller bottles (375 ml instead of 750 ml) that are also produced in smaller batches in terms of the actual liquid. Past expressions have included a Toasted Maple Barrel Finished Rye and a Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Toasted Pecan Wood Chips. This new expression, selected by whiskey taster Danny Lamb, is classic Jack whiskey matured in new charred American white oak barrels for at least four years, and then finished in barrels used to mature añejo tequila (meaning it was aged for more than a year) for one year and seven months. Parent company Brown-Forman owns a few different tequila brands, so while it’s not disclosed these barrels may have been used for Herradura or El Jimador.

As one of the most complete distilleries in the world, we’re fortunate to have the ability to experiment with every part of the whiskey making process, and that’s what our Distillery Series is all about,” said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s master distiller, in a statement. “This añejo tequila barrel-finished whiskey pushes the bounds on what people may expect out of a Tennessee whiskey, yet still has the familiar characteristics that are uniquely Jack Daniel’s.

Late in the Summer of 2013, the 2nd bottle in the Master Distiller Series was released. Honoring Jess Motlow, the Master Distiller from 1911 to 1941, this bottle was initially released with the incorrect date printed on the bottle, showing 1911 to 1944. This was quickly realized by the Distillery but some lucky people were able to purchase an “error” bottle before they were recalled.

Making its debut in September of 2012, this current series of bottles celebrates the 7 Master Distillers throughout the history of the Jack Daniel Distillery. Available in 2 sizes (750ml & 1L), each bottle is filled with 86 proof whiskey. They are also each individually numbered and sold in a collectible box. For display purposes, when 2 boxes are put side-by-side they complete an image of the Master Distiller being commemorated.