Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey landed on my desk at 53.5% ABV); 12 years old; mash bill: 80 % corn, 12, carrying a $80 price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
That extra two years in oak really kicked the strong banana notes of the 10 year into the background and gives the 12 year a much more classic tobacco, leather, and toffee aroma right up front. Its a very pleasing aroma too, not super aggressive, and the banana notes gently intertwine themselves around the smoke and leather. Time in the glass gave way to more pure vanilla and a touch of candied strawberry and wet cement.
Palate
Aggressively oaky. Lots of very grippy tannin here and a little too much tannic astringency for my taste. (A touch of water softens that and releases some cherry and Kola nut flavors.) But there is lovely tobacco and leather all over the palate too (I haven’t wanted to smoke a cigar this bad in a long time). It’s hot, and the alcohol still comes on without the roundness I’d hope for after 12 years in the barrel but it does give way to nice cinnamon, caraway, and clove notes.
Finish
The finish has a decent length and really leaves that smokey touch sitting in your brain as though begging you to light a pipe, pick up an old William Faulkner book and relax against the night reclining in your favorite leather-bound chair.
The Bottom Line
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $80, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
