Review: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release 2024 – Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8

Jack Daniel’s latest Single Barrel Special Release harkens back to what is arguably its most prized, sought-after release of all time: 2021’s Coy Hill High Proof. That release was famous for being one of the highest-proof bourbons ever commercially released (and was followed by a 2022 re-issue of additional stock). You can’t really follow that up with something even higher, so master distiller Chris Fletcher is instead taking us down the rickhouse — still on Coy Hill, but moving down in elevation.

For 2024’s Coy Hill release, these barrels are all drawn from rickhouse #8, and all were barreled in September 2013, making this whiskey just shy of its 11th birthday. But instead of being aged in the buzzard’s roost, these barrels all came from the 5th and 6th floor: Still high up, but not in the attic like last time. As a result, it’s also lower in abv (less elevation equals less heat, which equals less water evaporation). While my sample of the original Coy Hill hit over 147 proof, today’s sample is knocked down to 134.7 proof. And that’s on the high side for this release, which again is all composed single barrels. The lowest abv in the collection hits a decidedly tame 122 proof. The highest is 137.5.

Let’s give it a try.

Very spicy on the nose, with lots of gingerbread character offering a huge amount of spice. Behind that, it’s lightly earthy, almost mushroomy, and there’s ample impact from the barrel present. Some black pepper here, too. It’s never over-wooded or even all that oaky, touched with a raisiny punch of sweetness that keeps it light on its feet and never spiraling into austerity.

Chewy on the palate and again quite raisin-heavy, the dried fruits pair well with the toasty spice elements, providing a Port-like experience that pairs well with a heavy chocolate note. This fades into more of a gingerbread quality, layered with vanilla, Nutella, and orange peel — that forest floor mushroom quality all but disappearing as the finish arrives. It’s definitely sharp at full proof, it’s nonetheless wholly approachable without water. That said, a splash won’t hurt, bringing out even more sweetness and more chocolate.

Lovely and immersive, it’s not the hazmat monstrosity of the original Coy Hill, and frankly that’s probably a good thing: That whiskey had so much alcohol in it that it was reportedly illegal to carry on a plane. Coy Hill: The Sequel is every bit as well-realized, and will hopefully be easier to get, too.

134.7 proof as reviewed.

A / $80 / jackdaniels.com

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