Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee WhiskeyReview [In Depth]
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey
by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer
Founder, writer
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey Details
Distillery: Jack Daniel’s
Type & Region: Tennessee Whiskey, USA
Alcohol: 53.5%
Composition: 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% barley
Aged: At least 12 years
Color: 1.6/2.0 on the color scale (mahogany, henna notes)
Price: $120+
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey overview
I’m late to these whiskeys, but finally…some age stated Jack Daniels. I’m not even going to try to introduce Jack, because if you’re reading this review then you already know the deal.
I will briefly mention that Jack Daniel’s 12 Year is one of three age-stated versions, which also include the 10 and 14 year. The 10 year is in my house somewhere but I can’t seem to find it, and I have no idea if I’ll ever get the chance to buy a bottle of the 14 year given how insanely limited it is.
The 12 also comes in batches of who knows how many barrels, and I’m reviewing batch 3. Also can’t tell you how each batch varies…so that’s obviously very helpful. But you know what, I have a bottle of this one and that’s all that really matters for this review.
Let’s find out what this batch of well aged Jack is like in this Jack Daniels 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey review.
As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey smell
I smell dark and dense caramel, maple syrup, dried cherry and baked red apple peel, abundant amounts of roasted oak (yet controlled and not overburnt), vanilla,cinnamon, star anise, effervescent nutmeg, dark chocolate, tobacco, and some not quite fully ripe banana. There’s also a little bit of acetone / varnish and funk, which I often smell in older bourbons.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year smells amazing, like a wonderfully matured and craft whiskey that shows off the dark sweetness, red fruit, oak, and spice, but the lightly unripe banana and varnish feels a little off for me. I’ve reviewed many Jack Daniel’s whiskeys over the years so I’m used to it, but it doesn’t feel quite right. It also smells a little hotter than 53.5% ABV.
So far though, this is easily the most dark fruity, sweet, and layered Jack Daniel’s that I’ve ever had, closer to an Old Forester 1924 than something like a Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof. Not quite a perfect comparison because the ABV’s are so different, but still trying to compare to a higher end Jack Daniel’s
After swirling, this takes a lot of time to settle down to its previous state. Even after 20 minutes it hasn’t settled back down to what it was like when I initially smelled it. I’m not going to provide additional notes.
This smells amazing.
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey taste and aftertaste
There’s caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, baked red apple, banana, roasted oak, cinnamon, effervescent nutmeg, wood varnish, dried cherry, caramel nougat, toasted banana with some unripe peel, and a little bit of tobacco. Like the scents, it drinks a little hotter than 53.5%, honestly probably closer to 58-60%.
The oak really comes through with the dark roastiness and dense spice that provides some tingle and effervescence. The banana flavor is a little more noticeable here than it is in the scents, but in a good way because I really like bananas. Fun fact (maybe), I strive to eat one every day.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year has rich flavors with dense and dark sweetness, oak, spice, and fruit. Two to three sips in and it’s definitely the best Jack Daniel’s whiskey that I’ve ever had…and it’s not close. It could use more fullness and expressiveness, but hopefully “chewing” brings out the best of what’s yet to come.
“Chewing” brings out denser caramel, maple syrup, banana, roasted oak, effervescent nutmeg, dried cherry and red apple peel, cinnamon, dark chocolate, wood varnish, bananas foster, mace (the spice), and nougat sweetness in the back. The mouthfeel is oily and viscous, which is fantastic. The fantastic dark sweetness gives this a desserty vibe.
Jack Daniels 12 Year is very flavorful and bold. The best (yet lazy) way to describe this is that it’s like an amped up Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof (with a lot of rich sweetness), but with even more developed fruitiness, oak, spice, banana, and overall maturity, and with toned down heat.
This is objectively a wonderfully flavor, balanced, and “old” whiskey / bourbon that fares very well against high end Kentucky bourbons…finally.
I’m not far off from “Top Shelf+”, but something about it doesn’t quite pop enough to get me there. I can still write that this is some damn good whiskey that I’ll enjoy sip after sip.
I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too.
Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.
Jack Daniel's 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey Rating
First and foremost, I’m impressed with Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey / bourbon. This is the Jack Daniels experience that I’ve always wanted and in my opinion it’s worthy of being called a limited release with a $120 price (retail at least).
From my experience so far and without reviewing the 10 or 14 year, this feels like the quintessential Jack Daniels experience with the better developed darkness sweetness, oak, and spice that are hinted at in other versions. The amount of fruit, fullness, and depth in the 12 year are missing in the other non-age stated releases. I wish this is what I got, or even 75%, with Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof.
I don’t know if this is quite the pinnacle of Jack Daniel’s because I’ve heard that the 14 year is sublime, but for me this is some peak Jack Daniel’s until I hopefully obtain a bottle of the 14 year…good luck with that. But let’s be honest, no one feels bad for me about it. Who knows, maybe in 2035 there will be enough of a glut that 10+ year old age stated Jack Daniel’s will be relatively easy to find.
I paid $120 for this bottle and it’s definitely worth it. I would probably pay $150-160 at most. That also means that Sinatra Select continues to be a joke at $150+ and a shelf turd at some stores.
I guess what I’m writing is that I recommend buying it if the price is right for you because it’s delicious.
Meet the Author: Alex
I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.
There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.
Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.
BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)
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