LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — It’s a record setting day here in Lynchburg as the folks at The Jack Daniel Distillery officially announced what’s been rumored to be coming down the pike for months. On Monday morning, folks here in The Holler introduced a 14-year-old age-stated Tennessee Whiskey. This hasn’t happened around here in over 100 years.

Distillery officials announced the new bottle early Monday morning and by noon we were already receiving frantic calls from collectors about availability as bottles were rumored to be selling for several hundred dollars above the $149.99 MSRP – even though it hasn’t hit local shelves yet.

Along with the 14-year-old whiskey, this year’s Aged Series also includes Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 3 and 10-Year-Old Batch 4, the latest in the annual release that nods toward the history of the Jack Daniel Distillery.

“When we released our first Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey a few years ago, we set out to honor the legacy of Jack Daniel himself and replicate the lineup of age-stated whiskeys available during his time,” said Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at the Jack Daniel Distillery. “This year’s releases build upon that as we re-introduce our new 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, the oldest age-statement for Jack Daniel’s in the last 100 years or more. These whiskeys really showcase how a little extra time in our barrels can produce something so special.”

{Editor’s Note: We’ll get a chance to sample the 14-year-old on Tuesday with Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. We’ll report back after that tasting with a review from a local gal.}

14-year-old is bottled at barrel proof

Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, offered at 126.3 proof (63.15 percent abv), begins with Jack Daniel’s classic Tennessee Whiskey mash bill of 80 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 8 percent rye, is distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and is mellowed drop by drop through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal, just like the classic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. The additional years of aging for Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey bring forward notes of sweet bakery spices with layers of oak. The palette opens with cinnamon and creamy butterscotch balanced with rich leather that lingers into aged oak and pipe tobacco. 

Jack Daniel’s 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 3 is offered at 107 proof (53.5 percent abv) and has sweet and creamy notes of pipe tobacco, seasoned oak, and butterscotch. Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 4 is offered at 97 proof (48.5 percent abv) and is oak forward with layers of dark fruit and bittersweet cocoa.

Jack Daniel’s 14- Year-Old, 12- Year-Old, and 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskeys will be available this month in limited quantities across the U.S. in 700 mL bottles with suggested retail prices of $149.99, $94.99 and $84.99, respectively. Additionally, Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey will be available in select countries internationally beginning this summer.

Obviously at this age, it will be a limited release and will certainly be difficult to track down. Another interesting tidbit is that unlike most U.S. releases, the 14-year-old will come in a 700-milileter bottle instead of the standard 750. One source we spoke to explained this is because 700 mL is the European standard and downsizing will make exporting easier.

For more information, visit www.jackdaniels.com. •

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