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Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Have you already exhausted Jack Daniel’s spirits line and looking for alternatives or better whiskey options? You’ve come to the right place.
As there are a lot of excellent whiskeys similar to Jack Daniel’s that are worth considering, we’ve rounded up our top recommended spirits that you shouldn’t miss.
Top 10 Substitutes To Jack Daniel’s
10. Benchmark
Average Price: around $11.49 /750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: The Benchmark Old No. 8’s aroma is sweet and creamy and tastes thin with a slightly watery consistency.
Its finish is slightly sweet, with hints of vanilla and caramel.
It is a very easy-to-drink bourbon with almost no warmth. It’s almost flavorless, but it doesn’t have any bad notes, either.
Although it lacks some punch to craft tasty drinks, it’s still worth considering.
Nothing extraordinary –but given its affordable price, it stands out among its counterparts within the same price range.
9. Old Forester (BiB)
Average Price: around $23.99 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: Old Forester Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys give a sharp hit from the ethanol, causing the sweet and slightly bitter taste to emerge.
Particularly, the Old Forester 86 is a medium-bodied spirit with a smooth and musty flavor. Though it delivers a short finish, it gives a little warmth.
It’s a great value for an affordable cocktail, which you can drink nicely with a little higher proof than average.
Also, it’s an easy drink with no unusual notes or taste. It levels with other budget spirits from Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam.
8. Four Roses Small Batch
Average Price: around $39.99 /750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Four Roses Small Batch blends sweet and spicy flavors with a nose filled with hints of cherry, vanilla, and oak.
The creamy body of the drink is nicely balanced with a good amount of spice and vanilla. Then, it is followed by a long finish with a nice burnt caramel flavor.
If you’ve tried the Four Roses Yellow Label, this small batch is the improved version. Besides, it’s a good value for money, providing a satisfying daily drink.
“Whisky making is an act of cooperation between the blessings of nature and the wisdom of man.”
– Masataka Taketsuru, the Father of Japanese Whisky
7. Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
Average Price: around $56 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: Uncle Nearest 1856 is an intense whiskey, but it’s still smooth and unique. We love the notes of oak and maple, as well as the vanilla and sweet taste.
This sweet and slightly spicy blend is ideal for those who enjoy a bit of a punch while still retaining a smooth and creamy flavor.
Although it gets a bit stronger, you’ll surely like how this spirit maintains its various flavor elements. However, it’s a bit pricey.
Overall, Uncle Nearest is a good whiskey drink comparable (or even better) to Jack Daniel’s. Its roasted sesame tone is unique, but you can’t help to ask for more.
6. Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon
Average Price: around $51.44 /750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
Why We Like It: This is a well-crafted bourbon with plenty of character and subtle flavors. It’s one of the best value-for-money bourbons you can ever try.
While the initial sweetness is supported by some tobacco-laced spice and some stone fruits, the balance is gained through the finish with char-grilled corn.
This is a very enjoyable drink, though it lacks a certain amount of complexity to make it stand out. But despite its shortcomings, it still delivers solid value for its asking price.
5. Nelson’s First 108 Tennessee Whiskey
Average Price: around $40 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Nelson’s First 108 is unlike any other small-barrel whiskey as it delivers the right amount of complexity.
The youthful character of this whiskey, including bright grain tones, is an ideal complement to the sweet notes of the distillate.
Also, its relatively short aging period allows it to shine through without losing its flavor.
4. Chattanooga Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: around $34.99 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45.5% ABV
Why We Like It: The Chattanooga straight bourbon is a Tennessee high-malt whiskey that’s a nice introduction to the brand.
It’s easy to drink and has a well-balanced flavor despite its high proof [1].
This is an inexpensive alternative if you’re looking for a high-malt whiskey or want to switch things up from traditional bourbons or standard whiskeys like Jack Daniel’s.
3. Maker’s Mark
Average Price: around $31.99 /750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Rye is often used as a secondary grain in most bourbons, but Maker’s Mark uses wheat instead.
This makes Maker’s Mark sweeter and smoother.
Specifically, their Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey features a touch of nail polish on the nose with hints of cherry and vanilla.
On the palate, it gives honey, vanilla, and caramel flavors. We like its medium-length finish with subtle warmth, sweet notes, and black pepper spice.
2. Evan Williams
Average Price: around $15.99 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Compared to Jack Daniel’s, we find Evan Williams (Black Label) a good drink.
It has some warmth– without odd notes. It’s also bottled at a higher proof, which makes it more bodied and a great mixer.
The nose has hints of honey, vanilla, and ethanol. It tastes sweet with hints of leather– but not bitter. Also, the finish is warm and bitey with spicy notes.
A dash of water helps enhance its flavor, removing its hard edges. This is a basic expression with an affordable price.
Evan Williams bourbon is for you if you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want a decent drink every night.
1. George Dickel 8
Average Price: around $33.99 /750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: George Dickel 8 is the same as Jack Daniel’s being Tennesee whiskeys. But they have subtle differences that make them unique.
George Dickel 8 offers a smooth and creamy finish supported by the signature Flinstone Vitamins tones.
It is a medium-bodied whiskey with a bit of bite and a smooth oaky finish.
Overall, it is relatively simple to drink, which is great for those who like to enjoy a bit of fruity and butterscotch— neat or on the rocks.
FAQs
What is a cheaper version of Jack Daniels?
The cheaper version of Jack Daniel’s is Evan Williams. Despite being bourbon, it is bodied that makes a great cocktail mixer. It’s more affordable than Jack Daniel’s and is more high-proof.
Is bourbon similar to Jack Daniels?
Bourbon is similar to Jack Daniel’s in terms of mash bill and flavor profile. But Jack Daniel’s is different as it undergoes the Lincoln Country Process– a specialty of Tennessee whiskeys [2].
Let’s Sum It Up
You have endless options if you’re looking for a substitute for the all-time favorite Jack Daniel’s spirits.
From the Benchmark Old No. 8 to the George Dickel 8 expression, you can end your day with a great sipping experience– even without your favorite Jack Daniel’s bottle.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-alcohol-measured-by-proof
- https://utianews.tennessee.edu/flavor-research-and-the-lincoln-county-process/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
I find Old Forester 86P to have a very similar taste to JD, and particularly the finish. Both brands are produced by Brown-Forman, which I guess isn’t surprising.
EW makes me say “EW” and it is great at producing headaches and hangovers.