Review: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Sweet Mash Tennessee Whiskey and Tennessee Rye Whiskey Finished in Table Syrup Barrels
For 2025, Jack Daniel’s added two very different experimental whiskeys to its impressive Distillery Series:
The first was a well-aged bottling of its classic Tennessee whiskey recipe, but with a rather important and unprecedented distinction. Jack begins each distilling season with a limited run of sweet mash to produce the setback needed for their standard sour mash production. Presumably that whiskey is discarded or blended into standard Jack, but for this bottling it was aged on its own in new oak for a healthy 8 years (almost 9, actually) on the top floors of Track 2 barrelhouses.
The second release for 2025 was yet another rye whiskey on the heels of the much-loved, limited edition Tanyard Hill. While Tanyard Hill was notable for its eye-watering proofs, this limited run of Jack’s standard rye recipe got the sweet treatment with a three-year finish in barrels that previously held Southern-style table syrup. What is table syrup? It’s reportedly a blend of honey, cane molasses, sugarcane syrup, and corn syrup. So, a little more complicated than your average Mrs. Butterworth’s.
Let’s check them out!
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Sweet Mash Straight Tennessee Whiskey Review
The sweet vs. sour nature of the mash notwithstanding, standard Jack Daniel’s is aged only about 4-5 years and bottled at a bare minimum 80 proof. This Jack is twice as old and significantly higher in abv, but that classic Tennessee whiskey profile can still be found on the nose. The aroma is rich and sweet with split vanilla bean, praline pecans, and dark, butterscotch notes. Undertones of banana, that telltale Jack hallmark, are laced throughout, albeit well-caramelized almost to the point of Bananas Foster. With some time in the glass, an enticing, bready quality takes hold, delivering banana nut bread warm from the oven.
The palate keeps the banana theme going somewhat with a bit of Runts candy in the background, but things skew more toward dark berry across the sip as blackberry preserves give way to brighter raspberry candies and rhubarb pie on the midpalate. The proof adds some energy to a layer of freshly grated baking spice, heavy on the cinnamon and nutmeg, but the heat is kept well in check, simmering and warming into a peppery finish of spiced nuts and chewy caramel. Sweet mash whiskeys tend to be sweeter and fruitier, and while standard Jack has always delivered that classic banana note, this expression takes it to another level. An impressive addition to the Distillery Series that gets my vote for a future prime time release. 117 proof. A / $45 (375ml)
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Tennessee Rye Whiskey Finished in Table Syrup Barrels Review
While it’s certainly sweeter than any other Jack Daniel’s rye I’ve encountered, it’s also, somewhat surprisingly, no sugar bomb. Had this been finished for three long years in a more classic maple syrup, things might be different. The aroma kicks off sweet but also a little savory with warm caramel and almond butter notes, eventually settling into Cracker Jacks with a bit of time to open. Even the classic Jack rye mix of banana and berries is a bit more piquant with banana pudding and well-baked berry cobbler notes. The rye spice is well-rounded and softened by the finishing, presenting as a more subdued grated cinnamon and pink peppercorn.
The palate is more obviously sweet, delivering an initial wave of salted caramel and caramelized plantains that simmers with an even, easy warmth. The mix of corn and cane syrups has added sweetness but also some noticeable salinity that, like the aroma, delivers an intriguing sweet and savory combo. Things turn a bit herbal on the midpalate with bruised mint and honey-sweetened green tea before a transition to breakfast cereal, butterscotch, and menthol on a long, gently peppered finish. This is more than just Jack rye with a sweet topcoat, and while it’s not my favorite Distillery Series release, it might just be the most interesting yet. 111.4 proof. B+ / $45 (375ml)
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