Jack Daniel’s Bonded
50% ABV - Tennessee, United States
Nose: Toasted oak, banana cream, topped with nondescript fruits and milk chocolate. Light spices in the background with a roasted chestnut or almond.
Taste: Mesquite wood leads the palate with honey, caramel, fruit (orchard fruit?)… and dry grass.
Finish: Wood and spices, with a short chili heat. And, if I wait long enough, there is nothing left but the signature JD banana.
I don’t think that I would buy another bottle of Jack Daniel’s Bonded… for what I get out of the spirit, I think the standard Old No. 7 would do just fine at roughly half the cost. Truthfully though, I think that I would buy the Single Barrel Select next… or a Barrel Proof if timing was right!
Details: Distilled by a single distiller, during a single season and matured in a government bonded warehouse for at least 4 years.
Tasting Notes (Official): Bonded is a big, bold Tennessee whiskey with layered notes of caramel, rich oak, & spice giving way to a pleasantly lingering finish.
Tasted 1 November 2023. (Posted 9 December 2023.)
87/100
Detailed Rating Information...
90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.
