Jack Daniel’s Expands Its Whiskey Portfolio With Rare Small Batch Rye Release

Drawn from high-proof barrelhouses, the limited Tennessee rye release features five distinct batches with exceptionally elevated proof levels.

Jack Daniel

Jack Daniel’s has introduced the limited-market Jack Daniel’s Special Release Small Batch Rye whisky, a high-proof selection derived from the distillery’s most rigorous ageing conditions. The discharge comprises five separate batches sourced from the Coy Hill, Boiler Hill, and Fire Brigade Fields barrelhouses. Bottled at barrel proof in 375 mL increments, the whisky exhibits proof levels between 142.7 and 146.1, categorising it as one of the most potent rye whiskies ever crafted by the Lynchburg distillery. Distillery authorities chose 129 barrels with arrival dates ranging from February 2016 to August 2017. These barrels aged for an average of 10 years in three distinct places. The Coy Hill location is renowned for its high-heat maturation, while the addition of Boiler Hill and Fire Brigade Fields diversifies the distillery’s inventory.

Master Distiller Chris Fletcher and his crew meticulously crafted the batches for their potency and low-yield traits, which precluded their incorporation into larger expressions such as the Bonded Rye or Single Barrel Rye lines. The formulation employs the classic Jack Daniel’s rye mash bill consisting of 70 percent rye, 18 percent maize and 12 percent malted barley. In accordance with the distillery's distinctive method, the spirit underwent charcoal filtration prior to being placed in new oak barrels.

The distillery's tasting notes describe a character with black pepper, charred wood, and caramel, culminating in a finish of leather and butterscotch. Jack Daniel’s Special Release Small Batch Rye is offered this month at a recommended retail price of $64.99. The five batches of whisky are available just at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop within the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, owing to their exceedingly limited availability.