Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select Review
In-Depth Review
Jack Daniel’s has been on a tear recently - consistently pushing into new territories with exciting expressions that are enjoying widespread acclaim. Gone are the days of Jack Daniel’s being a mixer for coke and instead, Master Distiller Chris Fletcher has transformed the brand into a powerhouse that even whiskey enthusiasts can appreciate. But despite this newfound momentum, some expressions from previous Jack Daniel’s eras still have a home in the portfolio.
One of these is their Single Barrel Select – first released in 1997 and a mainstay in the portfolio since, Single Barrel Select is a modern throwback to a different time in Jack Daniel’s history. Bottled at 94 proof and using barrels aged 4-7 years, this expression comes in at a lower ABV and lower price point of their recent barrel proof single barrels. It is, however, significantly more expensive than their Bottled-in-Bond release (and still a lower proof) giving it a unique (and somewhat confusing) position in the portfolio. I’ve had this bottle quite a few times over the years, but when I found a mini 50ml version, I figured it was time to give it a try and see if it’s kept up with its newer siblings.
Age: No age statement but generally between 4-7 years
ABV: 47%
Cask: New Oak
MSRP: $40
Distillery Name: Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Review Date: 2/1/26
Color: Solid Amber
Nose: The nose is a collection of musty, earthy, metallic notes that push against bright artificial vanilla and candy corn. There’s a strange, almost craft-like funk to it, with notes of red berries and lemon cakes that struggle against its otherwise earthy character.
Palate: Significantly better palate than the nose – but still not great. Faded baking spices and chocolate shavings appear alongside a slight banana fruitiness. After a few minutes in the glass, the earthy funk from the nose returns and brings back notes of overripe fruit and herbal tea. The mouthfeel is good with a gentle warming heat – but still struggles to overcome the musty funk.
Finish: Medium length finish with more herbal tea, pepper and cinnamon sticks with dusty oak.
Final Thoughts: There’s something about Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select that’s never sat right with me. Ever since I started down my whisky journey – this expression has always been too earthy, musty, and funky for my taste. While variation can occur from barrel to barrel, this reaction has been consistent across nearly a dozen bottles I’ve tried. And with all of the recent bangers that Jack Daniel’s has released, I’m not sure I fully understand the audience for Single Barrel Select. It’s not much cheaper than their barrel proof single barrel, is lower proof than their bottled-in-bond, and doesn’t even seem to follow the typical Jack Daniel’s flavor profile. In 2026, Jack Daniel’s doesn’t need to be producing this expression anymore – and instead should focus on the recent winners that have successfully changed their enthusiast brand image. If you find this bottle on the shelf, I’d recommend skipping over it and buying a Jack Daniel’s Bottled-in-Bond and saving the extra cash.
