Review: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel (Updated 2025)

Hot on the heels of its new Bottled in Bond selection, Jack Daniel’s is out with another release. This one is going to be far more prized than the Bonded expression (which is now a permanent offering), with just 200 barrels’ worth of this “Heritage Barrel” offering on the market.

JD explains what that is:

The Jack Daniel Distillery is celebrating the historic art of barrel-making with a new special edition member of the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Collection. Limited to just 200 barrels, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel “Heritage Barrel” utilizes the unique barrel toasting techniques of the earliest coopers to create a new whiskey rich in flavor yet steeped in tradition.

Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and his team of whiskey makers selected from hand-crafted “Heritage barrels” slowly heated to achieve a deeper, richer toasted layer before being charred. The whiskey then matured at a lower entry proof in the uppermost reaches of one of the highest elevated barrelhouses in Lynchburg, TN and was bottled at 100° proof. The result is a flavorful and rich Tennessee whiskey that has warm notes of vanilla and sweet baking spices with a lingering finish of oak.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standard when crafting and selecting Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel products. The unique barrel toasting behind ‘Heritage Barrel’ creates a flavor you won’t find in any other Single Barrel expression,” said Arnett. “We believe we’ve made a whiskey that would make our earliest coopers and Mr. Jack himself proud.”

Jack Daniel’s is the only major whiskey company in the world to make its own barrels, crafted from American white oak. Today, the Jack Daniel Cooperage can produce more than 1,500 barrels per day. The unique barrels crafted to mature “Heritage Barrel” take a trip back in time to Jack’s humble beginnings and celebrate the vital maturation process that takes Tennessee whiskey from the distillery, to the bottle.

So, the short version: This is a special edition of JD Single Barrel, made with a lower entry proof spirit and drawn from special barrels that are toasted before being charred, two slight but notable twists on the JD recipe (particularly the entry proof switcheroo).

Let’s give this Heritage Barrel a spin.

Update: With the 2025 expansion/relaunch of the Heritage Barrel line, we’re consolidating all our JD Heritage Barrel coverage and reviews into a single post for the sake of consistency and readability.

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel (2018) Review

Don’t be misled into thinking that “lower entry proof” means you’re getting a weaker whiskey. This is a powerhouse from Jack, a whiskey that really pours it on, starting with a pushy, wood-driven nose that folds in notes of cloves, well-burnt sugar, and vanilla, with racy hints of cinnamon Red Hots lingering in the nostrils. The body largely follows the lead of the nose — some eucalyptus and camphor giving the whiskey bite, but that’s really just an amuse bouche for the burlier, more traditional elements of barrel char, big vanilla, caramel, and even some chocolate notes that come along in short order. As the finish fades, an interesting but distinct note of toasted, sliced bread emerges, lingering on the tongue for some time before finally evaporating. It’s a little strange, but quite enchanting, actually.

Fans of the traditionally gentle, corn-driven Old No. 7 will find this a sizable departure from the norm, perhaps one that nods roughly one state to the north, where bolder, heavier spirits tend to be the rule of the day. 100 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel (2019) Review

Heritage Barrel 2019 offers an interesting spin on the JD formula, and when placed side by side against the 2018 Heritage Barrel there are some clear differences. It starts on the nose, where there’s definitely more of a wood influence, as one would expect from the extra year of aging. Savory and fat with black pepper and beef jerky, it’s got more of a frontier style than we usually see from JD. Underneath, notes of allspice, cloves, and some cherry add a bit of nuance.

On the palate, the whiskey is again initially quite savory, though notes of dark chocolate, cherry, and ample spice percolate up quickly. Butterscotch is a clear element on the palate, as well. That meaty edge is largely absent in the 2018 version, which is much more fruit-forward. The two whiskeys do however feature a somewhat similar finish, with notes of pepper, ginger, and a slightly smoky edge.

All told, I prefer the liveliness of the 2018 over the more brooding character of the 2019 edition, but fans of Jack will find this a worthwhile experience (that’s not too expensive, as well). 100 proof. B+ / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel (2025) Review

In 2025, JD made Heritage Barrel a year-round offering — similar to the way Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel works. It’s the same kind of product as the 2018/19 releases, made with the same base whiskey and the same barrel treatment. As a single barrel release, of course, the product will vary from bottle to bottle.

Here’s how ours acquitted itself in 2025.

The nose shows lots of wood, including ample, charry smoke. That pairs with elements of fresh cherry wood, giving the aroma a touch of fruit, but less than expected. Throughout, the nose remains surprisingly muted, marked by notes of wet moss and salty beach flotsam.

The palate perks up a bit, but this barrel still feels isolated and closed off. Cherry is, as it was in 2019, a dominant theme, though barbecue becomes part of the conversation soon enough, with the palate taking on a beefy, smoky quality — tinged with various hints of rosemary, sage, and bell pepper. The whiskey feels like it’s trying to take off but never quite does, light in body yet somehow weighed down, perhaps by the barrel, which washes out a lot of the nuance. It’s never offensive, but it just doesn’t really make much of an impression, and the finish comes across as a little weedy and green.

I spent hours with this bottle trying to coax something out of it. Maybe I’ll give it another try in a few months to see if I was missing something — or if this barrel just didn’t pan out as expected. So it goes. 100 proof. Reviewed: Barrel #25-04912. B / $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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