Dec 10, 2014 10:28 AM
231142 Views
(Updated Mar 10, 2017 01:50 PM)
I started drinking at the age of 20 with Imperial Blue. Imperial Blue because it was very affordable and popular whiskey during my college days and ever since I am a great whiskey lover. I did shift towards Vodka and Rum for short span but whiskey is something that I couldn’t keep away from, I kept coming back to my love for the fact that it is the most epic drink I know of. And after period of time I discovered about my choice of brand in whiskeys, Jack Daniel’s No. 7 being one of few preferred brand.
It is not exactly a bourbon whiskey, but very close, it originates from Lynchburg in Tennessee, and is still distilled there by The Jack Daniel Distillery established in 1866. It is also the oldest distillery of the USA. An interesting fact about the naming of the Jack Daniel’s No. 7, is that it was named after the registration of the distillery in where No.7 was distilled in Lynchburg. But having said so, there are numerous stories about the naming of the brand and I don’t know which one to buy.
Really nice color looks like honey and smells tempting. Probably one of the best whiskey and so it is one of the highest selling whiskey in the world. Undoubtedly, one of my preferred brand and I can have it at any time of the day.
Alcoholic Content
It has 40% alcohol per volume and 80 proof and comes in different bottle sizes. Initially, when first sold, it had 86 to 90 proof with 45% alcohol per volume after it was forced for the transition due to law enforcement.
Flavor, Aroma & Color
Taste sweet and very smooth a. Rich honey color or say dark amber color, I would say richest aroma with grand appeal and smells of the likes of vanilla and caramel. It also scents a little sweet and corn as it contains sugar maple from yellow corn. The flavor varies during the course of palate and that makes this whiskey very distinct. Some also think that there is feeling of banana and toffee.
The season also plays significant in the making of No. 7, as temperature varies in Tennessee, the whisky tends to intermingle more with the wooden barrel. This results into wood barrel passing the characteristics of oak into the whisky.
Difference in Character
The spirit is aged in oak barrels only once, whereas the scotch makers use their barrels again and again. Since the barrel is used only once for maturing, it extracts flavor and color from the wooden barrel and makes it peculiar and characteristic.
Method
It is crafted by single distillery or say it’s a single malt. Made of yellow corn, it is mellowed by dropping the hard sugar maple charcoal. It is subsequently aged in the oak barrels and toasted to caramelize the sugar. The oak barrels are also manufactured by the Jack Daniel Distillery itself. Although there are no specific years determined by the spirit to mature, the quality of the No.7 is the greatest and most prominently consistent. The experts at the distillery taste the spirit and determine whether it is ready or otherwise.
Most of No. 7 whiskeys are about 12 years old and the whiskies older than 12 years are also available. But the age is never mentioned on the No. 7 bottles.
Ways to Drink
Well, commonly consumed with coke, neat or on the rocks(ice). There are many recipes developed to drink No.7, which include, *Jack and Coke, Jack and Ginger, Jack Daniel’s Manhattan, Lynchburg Lemonade, Jack Julep, Hot Tennessee Toddy, * etc. As we all know that we can always get creative when it comes to making mixes.
Price
It is expensive, especially outside America, because of import duty and taxes. Costs around Rs.4000-4500 in India and around$35-40 CAD here in Canada for 750 ml.
I just love this whiskey and recommend to those who have not tried this one yet. I am not a regular drinker but when I do drink Jack Daniel’s No.7, I make sure to have it with French fries and chicken wings. I drink more than occasionally in winter, to get through brutally severe cold nights here in Canada. It does help and gives a pleasant time. JD No.7 is not the only favorite whiskey of mine, apart from it, I also prefer Glenfiddich and Jameson, which are equally smooth and must try.
One thing you will surely acknowledge that No. 7’s smoothness is magic.
Do write your thoughts about this whiskey or your preferred drinks in the comments.
