Review: Silverbelly Last Call Bourbon (2025)
Country music legend Alan Jackson has built a career that stands as tall and timeless as a Tennessee oak. Over the decades, the Georgia native has penned and performed countless hits that speak to the heart of American life — and more than a few that raise a glass to good whiskey. His very first No. 1 single arrived back in 1991, and since then, whiskey has often found its way into his lyrics. But 2021 was a particularly spirited year for Jackson — his album Where Have You Gone included not one, but four whiskey-soaked tracks: “Way Down In My Whiskey,” “I Can Be That Something,” “Wishful Drinkin’,” and “Beer:10.” It seems that in 2021, Alan Jackson truly had whiskey on his mind.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that the following year saw the launch of Silverbelly Whiskey, Jackson’s very own bourbon brand. The venture debuted with young bourbon sourced from Green River Distilling, but after the third release, Jackson and his team shifted direction — turning to more well-aged Tennessee bourbon to better reflect the artist’s professional connection to Nashville.
Fast-forward to late October 2025, and the brand unveiled its most poignant release yet: Silverbelly Last Call 2025 Rare Release. Timed perfectly with Jackson’s farewell concert, Last Call: One More for the Road — The Finale, set for June 27, 2026, in Nashville, this limited-edition bourbon is a heartfelt toast to a legendary career nearing its final encore.
Last Call is a straight bourbon distilled and aged in Columbia, Tennessee, by the quietly industrious Tennessee Distilling Group. Though the distillery prefers to keep a low profile, what’s known is that the whiskey’s mash is fermented in open-top tanks and distilled on a Vendome column still. The mashbill — 66% corn, 29% rye, and 5% malted barley — is matured in #4 char barrels from Independent Stave Company.
Jackson’s attention to detail shines through in the design and symbolism of the Last Call label. The release is brimming with personal Easter eggs that celebrate his life: a 12-barrel blend yielding 1,958 bottles (a nod to his birth year, 1958), bottled at 101.7 proof (October 17 is Jackson’s birthday), and age-stated at 6.7 years (marking his 67th birthday). Though officially listed as 6.7 years, Last Call includes barrels aged up to 7 years, with an average age of 6.9 years old.
Thematically, Last Call serves as the perfect bookend to 2024’s AJ’s Birthday Whiskey. While the 2024 release celebrated a beginning, this one honors a finale — a toast to a storied career and a lifetime of music that shaped generations. The upcoming Nashville concert promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Jackson and his fans alike.
But does the bourbon that bears its name live up to the legend himself? Let’s find out.
Silverbelly Last Call Bourbon (2025) Review
The aroma opens with the caramelized crust of crème brûlée, carrying a gentle hint of smoky sweetness from the torched sugars. This transitions into a rustic note of grainy polenta and the faintly astringent scent of weathered barn wood. The wood influence is intriguing — it suggests oak that has lost much of its vigor over years of exposure, leaving behind a subtle, mellow imprint. As the bouquet develops, vanilla sugar wafers surface, lending a pleasant touch of sweetness. Overall, the nose is mild yet balanced, centered around a theme of soft vanilla and toasted sugar.
On the palate, honey graham crackers take the lead, maintaining the blend of sweetness and light tannin detected earlier. Butter pecan ice cream and white chocolate appear next, before giving way to a dash of spicy ginger snap. This meshing of creamy sweetness and gentle spice keeps the experience engaging. The mouthfeel is impressively viscous — almost syrupy— though the flavor profile itself never crosses into cloying territory.
As the sip finishes, an unexpected punch of Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly jelly beans takes center stage. The candy-like character is unmistakable and playful, soon joined by the sweet-earthy nuance of vanilla pipe tobacco. The final note of slightly spicy gingerbread wraps up the tasting experience with warmth and balance.
Overall, Silverbelly Last Call is a good bourbon that should please a broad range of drinkers. Nothing about it feels harsh or unrefined, though more experienced whiskey fans might wish for a touch more oak presence and spice, especially given the 29% rye content. While the sweetness is well-handled, the profile leans a bit too gentle at times.
With only 1,958 bottles produced, this release is clearly intended for Alan Jackson’s admirers, and on that front it succeeds. Fans will find plenty to enjoy —and perhaps a gateway into exploring other bourbons. For seasoned enthusiasts, however, the $75 price tag may give pause, as bottles offering greater complexity can be found in the same range. Still, in a landscape crowded with lackluster celebrity-branded spirits, Last Call stands out as one of the stronger, more thoughtfully crafted entries.
101.7 proof.
B+ / $75
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