Do you ever wonder why alcohol is sometimes measured by proof? In the US, the proof of alcohol is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume.
Most premium liquor brands in the US, like Jack Daniel’s, use a wide range of proofs in their liquors.
But what proof is Jack Daniel’s using, and how high is it? Read on to find out.
What Proof is Jack Daniels?
Jack Daniel’s famous bourbon products start from 80-proof, while its liqueurs are 70-proof.
Every drop of Jack Daniel’s is charcoal mellowed and matured in new American oak barrels. Its brand has a wide range of products that have different alcohol-proofs.
Most of its products are Single Barrel limited and special edition releases. The Single Barrel variant comes from an individual aging barrel that produces high-quality proofing. It delivers different alcohol contents in each barrel.
What Proof Do Jack Daniel’s Variants Have?
70 Proof
Jack Daniel’s 70-proof products are technically whiskey liqueurs because it doesn’t meet the standard whiskey alcohol content. Jack Daniel’s 70-proof flavored liqueur has three variants: Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, and Tennessee Apple.
All three variants are a blended mix of flavor liqueurs along with the robust character of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7.
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80 Proof
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, or the black label, is their standard expression at 80-proof. Originally this black label was founded in 1866 and proofed at 90, but over the years, Jack Daniel’s reduced its proof.
Another well-known 80-proof of Jack Daniel’s is the Gentleman Jack. It is known for its double mellowed under charcoal mellow, which results in exceptional smoothness.
90 Proof
Sinatra Select is one of the 90-proof products of Jack Daniel’s. Named after the late Frank Sinatra, it was released in 2011 and is a limited edition in selected states.
Tennessee Rye which carries 70% rye on its mash bill, is also on a high proof. It was released in 2017 with a distinct and rich flavor at 90-proof. Another rye whiskey at 90-proof from Jack Daniel’s is the Single Barrel Rye.
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94 Proof
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Single Barrel Rye whiskey are both at 94-proof. Each of these barrels is from one individual aging and is not a blended mix of other various barrels.
These Single Barrel Select and Single Barrel Rye releases are permanent line extensions of Jack Daniel’s.
100 Proof
All of Jack Daniel’s100-proof bourbons are special releases. Its 100-proof Silver Select is specially released for a travel-retail market. The Sinatra Century commemorates Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. This release is limited to only 100 barrels at 100-proof.
Another one is Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, the Bottled-In-Bond release currently limited in US states.
125 to 140 Proof
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is a special release, bottled in its purest form. It comes straight from the barrel at full proof ranging from 125 to 140, depending on the bottle you buy.
Recently, Jack Daniel’s released their highest proof, the Small Batch – Special Release Coy Hill High Proof. It has five small batches with higher proof from 143.6 to 155.1.
Why Jack Daniel’s Changed Its Alcohol Proof
The Jack Daniel’s company, Brown-Forman Corporation, originally produced and sold Jack Daniel’s black label at 90-proof. [1] But this changed in 1987 because they reduced the proof of the label variation.
Jack Daniel’s never made a public announcement regarding their lowering proofs. Speculations started to pop up because most consumers preferred lower-proof products.
Jack Daniel’s reduced it to 86-proof in 1987, and again additional dilution was made in 2002, making it an 80-proof.
Some critics believe the company’s attempt to lower the proof is to reduce its production costs and taxes on each bottle. But what whiskey is similar to Jack Daniel’s?
FAQs
Which Jack Daniel’s has the highest proof?
Jack Daniel’s highest proof is its Small Batch Special Release Coy Hill High Proof. It has five batches of unique Jack Daniel’s flavors, character, and much higher proof—the Small Batch 2022 Special Release range from 143.6-proof to 155.1-proof.
Is Jack Daniel’s a top-shelf whiskey?
Yes, Jack Daniel’s is a top-shelf whiskey and a famous Tennessee whiskey on the liquor market. Jack Daniel’s is one of the best-selling American whiskeys to date.
Is Jack Daniel’s stronger than Jim Beam?
Yes, Jack Daniel’s is stronger than Jim Beam. Jack Daniel’s has its 155.1-proof or 77.55% ABV in its recent small batch release. On the other hand, Jim Beam’s strongest proof is its Jim Beam Single Barrel with 108-proof or 54% ABV.
What does “proof” mean in whiskey?
Proof is a measure of the alcohol content in a beverage, typically expressed as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV). For example, a whiskey that is 40% ABV is 80 proof.
Is Jack Daniel’s whiskey strong?
Jack Daniel’s whiskey is considered to have a moderate alcohol content, making it approachable for most drinkers. However, individuals may experience its effects differently based on factors such as tolerance and consumption.
Can I mix Jack Daniel’s with other beverages?
Yes! Jack Daniel’s is versatile and can be mixed with various ingredients to create delicious cocktails and mixed drinks, such as Jack and Coke or Lynchburg Lemonade.
Does Jack Daniel’s offer higher-proof options?
Yes! Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel and other limited-edition releases are available at higher proofs, providing a bolder and more intense whiskey experience for enthusiasts.
Where can I find the proof information for Jack Daniel’s products?
The proof of Jack Daniel’s whiskey is typically displayed on the label of the bottle, making it easy to identify the alcohol content before purchasing or consuming.
In Summary
Jack Daniel’s is a well-known Tennessee whiskey that offers unique and higher proofs in its products. It gives a wide selection of bourbon, from flavored liqueurs to higher-proof bourbons.
Since Jack Daniel’s has more Single Barrel releases, they produce a different set of proofs. Whether it’s 70-proof or more than 100-proof, there’s no doubt that Jack Daniel’s is a great top-shelf Tennessee whiskey.
Reference:
- https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2004-09-29-jack-daniels_x.htm
