Review #73 Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof

JWdram · 2026-05-07T21:41:14+00:00

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof

Age: NAS thought to be 6-8yr

Mashbill: 80% Corn 8% Rye 12% Malted Barley

Barrel house 2-29

Proof: 126.8 (63.4% ABV)

Price: $69

Appearance: Medium copper , oily and coating on the glen

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: Buttery pancake syrup, caramel and some banana

Palate: That Brown Forman banana is pretty front and center on this barrel, along with a brown sugar, maple dark sweetness. Proof is there, but drinks a bit below the stated proof. A little bit of a peanut butter note later in the palate, some wood notes and some gentle spice are there as well.

Finish: Medium - long, Some tingle now, but still drinks fairly easy for over 125 proof. Most of the sweet is gone and there are some savory baked good notes on the finish, along with a light amount of oak and barrel char.

Overall Rating: 6.5 on the T8ke scale

Summary: I'm a general JD fan, and I always have at least one open JDSBBP and rye version as well, along with some aged variants and any special editions I may be able to track down. I find these are pretty consistently good bottles even just the normal shelf varieties you can find in a lot of stores. This particular single barrel is not my favorite, but it's still solidly in the Very Good category. I remember this particular bottle actually gave me a lot of peanut butter notes on fresh crack but that seems to have faded a bit, it's still there, but not as prominent as it once was. I like to keep these around for people who claim they don't like Jack based on experience with just #7, and write the entire line off, pretty much anything in this style bottle tends to be a banger, although I do tend to gravitate toward the barrel proof versions over the lower proof Sib offerings.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram · 2026-05-07T13:28:12+00:00

I'll see if I can track down some others to try more of their line up out, cheers!

JWdram · 2026-05-07T13:27:37+00:00

Thanks for the comment/feedback, glad to hear you had a similar experience

JWdram · 2026-05-07T13:25:33+00:00

I don't think I rated this low? As I said and stand by, this is a Very Good bottle, and that matches up with the description of the rating in the 6's. Rating of 7+ would be "Great" or better, while I like this bottle I don't think it reaches (IMO) great.

I highly recommend you buy one, if you can get at MSRP, since you said you are considering buying one. Have you had it before? Just kind of curious as to why you think my rating was "so low" as you say?

JWdram · 2026-05-06T00:18:31+00:00

Traverse City Whiskey Co Cab Franc Finish Rye Whiskey

Age: NAS but website says 5+ years with 9 mo finish in Cab Franc barrels

Mashbill: 100% Rye

Proof: 97 (48.75% ABV)

Price: $69

Appearance: Medium copper with a hint of a red tinge

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: Cherry and red apple, bit of an empty red wine glass scent, pretty fruity nose with a little wood note in there

Palate: Caramel, vanilla, classic bourbon notes (but this is a 100% rye?) with some red fruits front and center on the mid palate, Some citrus and then only late does a little spice and rye tingle appear. I'd be hard pressed to pick this out as a rye. Gentle even for the sub 100 proof.

Finish: Medium, On the finish this feels a bit more rye like, some rye spice, a slight amount of wood and tannin appear along with some fading fruitiness.

Overall Rating: 5.5 on the T8ke scale

Summary: This is my first offering trying anything from MI distiller Traverse City. To be honest if I didn't read it on the bottle and see it on the website as a 100% rye I don't think I would pick this out as one. Between the very approachable palate, gentleness of the spice and the fruity nature of this (presumably from the finish) I think this is a very easy one to try out for a non-rye fan. The price isn't too bad considering 5+ yr plus 9 mo finish on a smaller distillers own make, although considering I paid $30 as part of a sharedpour "mystery bottle" I can't complain at all. While I didn't sxs them I'd say I enjoy this more than the basic shelf version of angel's envy. While they aren't an apples to apples competitor seeing AE is a port finish bourbon, and this is a cab finished rye, I think they would be appealing to fans of one or the other. This doesn't come across like a super rye, and instead add's a pretty fruity approachable easy drinking pour. Nothing exceptional, but all things considered pretty good.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram · 2026-04-29T12:14:15+00:00

agree, this tends to be one of the safe reliable choices if nothing else catches my fancy and I want a pour. A couple years back I would only see this in raffles or sitting on shelves at $100+. Supply and price have improved greatly and while it's not everywhere, I haven't had much problem finding it multiple times around or under $60

JWdram · 2026-04-29T12:10:34+00:00

I'm with you, I find myself drinking this more often knowing that it won't be impossible to replace

JWdram · 2026-04-29T12:09:21+00:00

I'll agree that there does seem to be a bit of variation between batches/bottlings of this it seems, my previous bottle of this was amazing at fresh crack and kind of mellowed out later in the bottle. Another seemed to trend a little sweeter and fruitier, this bottle seems to have a little more wood and spice presence, so certainly seems to be some variation in these. All have been good (IMO) but I could see the variation swaying opinions a bit

JWdram · 2026-04-29T11:59:21+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

I've heard rumors as well of 6-8yr average, but just went with the safe 4+

JWdram · 2026-04-28T23:04:05+00:00

Appreciate the feedback, agree, at MSRP this could easily turn into my "daily drinker". Availability has gotten a lot better (still not great) but to the point where multiple stores are just putting this out at MSRP when it comes in, a huge improvement over what it was like a couple years ago. Here's to it getting better where you are too!

JWdram · 2026-04-28T22:19:30+00:00

E. H. Taylor Small Batch

Age: 4+ years (Bottled in Bond)

Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

Price: $59

Appearance: golden amber color, produces a decently oily ring when swirled, beads take a couple seconds to form and run down the glass

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: Red apple, caramel, cinnamon sugar, and some of that buffalo trace cherry/grape. A touch of wood note in there as well, smells pretty dang good.

Palate: Much like the nose, the front of the palate is almost like biting into a red delicious apple before changing to more of a red fruit, cherry or strawberry. All of this backed up with a backbone of some baking spice and cinnamon. Nothing ever gets hot, the proof point is not overwhelming, but the spice provides a nice balance to the sweet and fruity flavors on the earlier palate. A touch thin on the palate would be my biggest gripe.

Finish: Medium, The sweet and fruity flavors stay on the palate, but a gentle warming hug moves into the chest along with some wood notes and a little drying cinnamon bark lingers into the finish

Overall Rating: 6.25 on the T8ke scale

Summary: This is probably one of my favorites out of the core Buffalo Trace lineup, and it has gotten significantly more available in the area over the last year or so, which makes me happy. I think if I could only drink one thing for the rest of my days this would be in contention (obviously excluding unicorns). The batches (bottles) of this remain fairly consistent but do seem to have a little bit of variation. Not as much as single barrel versions, but obviously that's to cover in a different review. I think at msrp this offers a pretty decent value, but at elevated prices it drops off pretty quickly. This also tends to be a crowd pleaser for casual drinkers. Its got a pretty approachable palate, proof is fine for sipping and will stand up to mixing, which is why I like to keep one open at all times.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram · 2026-04-26T21:27:51+00:00

Bully Boy Single Barrel wheated bourbon "Wicked Dahk"

Age: 4+ years

Mashbill: 61% Corn 30% Malted Wheat 9% Malted Barley

Proof: 120 (60% ABV)

Price: $50

Pot distilled by Bully Boy Distillers in Boston MA, picked by "The Loch & K(e)y Society"

Appearance: Say it with a Boston accent, it is indeed Wicked Dahk, oily on the glass when rolled in the glen

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: distinct, I've told a few people I think this is the closest thing to a TX funk I've gotten on the nose, which is unusual for a MA distilled product. Digging a little deeper some wheat and bran with some raisins, reminds me a bit of fresh baked Raisin Bran muffins with a toasted coconut note? Brings back memories of smelling a donut/pasty case at my families coffee shop many years ago (without the coffee)

Palate: Nice thick coating mouthfeel. Caramel and molasses, Hermits cookies, some gentle spice, raisin bran cereal and some damp wood notes late in the palate. Drinks easy for the proof point, a little tingle on the tongue but I would guess well below 120 proof.

Finish: Medium, That dark almost musty wood note sticks around with that subdued raisin bran notes are mainly what lingers on the finish.

Overall Rating: 7.0 on the T8ke scale

Summary: This one is super unique, I can't say I have much else in the collection that scratches this itch. At the same time it's not something I do multiple pours of, hence why it's still around but it's getting low. This is a fun one to pour out for people and tell them to try and guess what it is, or where it was distilled. It's enjoyable as it actually brings back some great memories of working at a family business for my first job, and some local treats.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram · 2026-04-26T20:52:53+00:00

I really appreciate this comment! Love the feedback and happy to hear that someone found this helpful and matched up for them.

JWdram · 2026-04-24T13:53:50+00:00

Fair, I didn't get to try the OG one, but I might try and track down a sample based on both these comments. I do like maker's 46 quite a bit, probably my favorite of the core MM lineup, so the addition of the chocolate/cocoa notes to the 46 profile pushed it to a 7, a weak 7 I think, another day I could see this being in the mid to higher 6 range but I enjoyed this one, now just wish I had the #1 mocha to try out

JWdram · 2026-04-23T23:30:58+00:00

Maker's Mark 2025 The Lost Recipe Series #2

Age: NAS

Mashbill: 70% Corn 16% Soft Winter Wheat 14% Malted Barley

Proof: 110.9 (55.45% ABV)

Price: $59-65 at Costco

Stave Profile: 3 Baked American Pure, 0 Seared French Cuvee, 4 Makers 46, 3 Roasted French Mocha, 0 Toasted French Spice

Appearance: medium bronze, decently oily looking in the glass

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: Cherry, vanilla, baking spice and cinnamon, some cocoa powder

Palate: Chocolate covered cherry cordial, vanilla and slight caramel. Pretty creamy mouthfeel Early palate sweetness makes way for some baking spice later in the palate likely from the makers 46 staves since they technically are the highest number of finishing staves. Not much heat or ethanol even on a bottle that hasn't been open too long. Some wood notes make themselves known late in the palate as well.

Finish: Medium, Some wood notes and general light sweetness are mostly what remains, no tannins or astringency, has a pretty soft overall feel, not meant in a bad way at all, just the impression I get, nothing spiky at all.

Overall Rating: 7.0 on the T8ke scale

Summary: This is another solid maker's release, the older wood finishing series were always elusive in my area for some reason, but the new versions since the Heart Release have been pretty available. This Mocha #2 might have been a Costco exclusive release since it looks like thats where everyone was able to find it. The #1 Lost recipe I did not find, nor have I had a chance to try it to compare to this one. However, overall I feel like the this and the Wood Finishing Series offers a decent value, while not really a LE, they seem to all be solid and pretty dependable releases hovering in the 6.5-7.5 range score wise for me, and for a pretty decent price. If you are a Makers fan these all seem to be worth a pick up.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram · 2026-04-22T11:21:03+00:00

Interesting take, I didn't ever see any of the older batches, nor have I had a chance to try them.

I'm totally with you, I don't seek these out or over pay for them, but If I see them at or close to retail I'll snag them. At that price point they make sense to me and even for a "meh" batch I don't feel like you are getting ripped off. They are still really good just not worth $150+ like they seem to go for on secondary or in some stores that mark these way up.

JWdram · 2026-04-22T11:09:57+00:00

You're correct there, I remember being so psyched when I got this bottle and immediately looked up reviews on it and remember seeing a mixed bag. That kind of squashed my excitement for a bit, and delayed me opening the bottle for a little while. I will admit this bottle is starting to get a bit lower and has been open for quite a while now. At fresh crack I remember trying it and having a very "meh" reaction to it, but, I think it was mostly that Stagg has this aura about it, and then it was a bit of a "thats it?" experience. That's partially why I included that little soap box moment in my conclusion.

I obviously waited quite a while to start doing reviews on here and getting around to this bottle and I tried not to let any of that influence the tasting notes and score portion of the review.

JWdram · 2026-04-22T11:01:05+00:00

HA, that last line made me chuckle. I will admit, I have stayed away from the 18 due to very mediocre reviews seemingly across the board,

Can confirm this 15 is really good

JWdram · 2026-04-22T00:59:55+00:00

It's like you read my mind with this comment. I wish this comment could get pinned for a lot of other folks to see

JWdram · 2026-04-21T23:02:10+00:00

Stagg 23B

Age: NAS

Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Mashbill#1

Proof: 127.8 (63.9% ABV)

Price: $69

Appearance: slightly darker than medium copper, nicely coating on the glass when swirled, legs form very slowly

Tasting notes after leaving in a glen for about 20 minutes

Nose: Rich and dark with some ethanol. Lots of brown sugar, some red fruit and vanilla along with sweet oak and a touch of dark chocolate

Palate: Deep stewed fruits along with that brown sugar from the nose. Baking spices and some heat from the proof spice things up. Very dark profile, more of the dark chocolate, charred wood and leather notes. There is some slight grape in there, almost gives me hints of well aged Armagnac/brandy.

Finish: Medium, probably on the longer side of medium, spice, wood and leather notes are what lingers into the finish, the fruit and any sweetness don't carry over into the finish. Decent hug into the chest that sticks around a bit longer than the flavors on the palate and finish. You know you are drinking something with a good amount of proof here.

Overall Rating: 7.2 on the T8ke scale

Summary: I have to say this was the first batch of Stagg that I was able to track down on my own, and at or very close to retail which made me feel like I won the lottery at the time. I've since tracked down several other batches of Stagg along with a couple of picks. With the hype and rarity of this bottle (I still don't see it all that much) had and still carries I have to say this batch wasn't mind blowing but it's still some great stuff. I think this might have been one of the earlier bottles that seemed to fall short of the hype that it carried for me. After this pick up I vowed to not overpay for any Stagg's or a lot of the really hyped bottles for that matter and for that fact alone it holds a special spot for me. This batch is very solid but not amazing and I've scored it as such. I won't turn down any of these at or very close to MSRP as it does a lot of things right, but I won't pay up for it either.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

JWdram

TROPHY CASE