A fixture in Rock ‘n’ Roll culture, and a favourite of Ol’ Blue Eyes, Jack Daniel’s is a cornerstone of American Whiskey. But we’re not talking about your daddy’s Jack today; no, we’re talking about the first age-stated release from Jack Daniel’s in over 100 years as well as the brand new Jack Daniel’s 12-year-old!

In 2021 Jack Daniel’s announced a 10-year-old, which will be an annual release, and shortly thereafter @comingwhiskey on Instagram discovered that a 12-year-old was also submitted to the TTB for label approval.

One bit of housekeeping before we move on: I received these samples compliments of Jack Daniel’s and their PR agency in exchange for my honest feedback and review. While life would be much easier if I was on the take like a dirty cop, I’m not, and all my reviews are honest. The presence or absence of a media sample never affects the outcome. That said, I need a drink…


Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Batch 2:

Appearance: in glass, this presents as a dark copper with a subtle rusty hue.

Nose: Notes of charred oak give way to cherry cola, cardamom, and cinnamon. Followed by notes of honey and caramel. An unusual note, that can only be described as watered-down oak, runs through this dram. There’s also an herbaceous note that is like a mild eucalyptus.

Palate: This is a pretty mild dram. Mostly notes of caramel, and oak, with a slight mintiness on the back end. For 97 proof this is extremely light, and lacking in flavour.

Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Batch 1:

Appearance: in glass, this presents as a dark honey/caramel.

Nose: This is a really unique nose. I’m getting a kind of vanilla, caramel, oak, and corn amalgamation that I can only describe as belonging to a Wild Turkey product! Past that there are notes of cinnamon, and a very subtle note of adobo sauce.

Flavour: Wow, there is a burst of flavour here! Oak, caramel, vanilla, chili peppers, cardamom, cinnamon, and maple syrup all blending with each other. The mid and back palates are full of leather and tobacco. A stunning dram, and especially approachable at 107 proof!

 

It’s always a special day when I get to taste old Scotch whisky, but it’s truly a special day when I get to taste 46-year-old Scotch! To say I’m excited and grateful for my friends at Brown Forman is an understatement. Their portfolio is awesome, and I’m so grateful for the relationship I have with their PR agency, and their ambassador teams!

One bit of housekeeping before we move on: I received this sample compliments of Glenglassaugh and their PR agency in exchange for my honest feedback and review. While life would be much easier if I were on the take like a dirty cop, I’m not, and all my reviews are honest. The presence or absence of a media sample never affects the outcome. That said, I need a drink…

First and foremost, allow me to once again just say “WOW”… Seriously, pinch me ‘cuz, like, am I dreaming?! This stuff is older than I am! With that out of the way, let’s get down to brass tacks, shall we?

Glenglassaugh, in English “Valley of the Gray-Green Place” is a distillery in the Highlands of Scotland and was founded in 1875 by Scottish Reservist Colonel and philanthropist, James Moir, who, according to Glenglassaugh Brand Ambassador Rory Glasgow, helped bring electricity and railway to the town of Portsoy.


The Glenglassaugh 46 was distilled in 1975, roughly 100 years after the distillery was first opened, but was mothballed shortly thereafter in 1986. In December 2008 production was restarted and in 2013 BenRiach bought Glenglassaugh.

Appearance: in glass this is a beautiful copper honey tone.

Nose: I’m greeted with rich notes of fruit leather, vanilla, marzipan, and oak. There are notes of cherry, orange, cinnamon, and a touch of brininess and black pepper.

Palate: lots of cherry, cinnamon, and orange on the front pallet. Moving into notes of vanilla, chocolate, and marzipan as well as a touch of coconut on the mid-palate. The back of the pallet has notes of leather and tobacco, as well as a rich fruitiness.

All in all, an absolutely stunning dram and not particularly oaky for a 46-year-old single malt.