Jack Daniel’s has officially expanded its experimental line with the release of Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Selection #17, a limited-edition, high-proof High Angel’s Share Straight Tennessee Whiskey.
First laid down in 2016, Jack’s latest expression underwent a unique maturation process on the top floor of Barrelhouse 1-13, located at the peak of Lynchburg’s Coy Hill. Resting in the uppermost reaches of the building exposed the whiskey barrels to intense, sustained heat over several years. That environment drastically accelerated the natural evaporation process known in the spirits industry as the “angel’s share,” and that resulting loss of liquid created a deeply rich spirit within the remaining wood.
“This release is a perfect example of what happens when we let nature take the lead,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher in a statement shared by the brand. “By resting these barrels on the very top floor of our Coy Hill barrelhouse, the intense heat increased the angel’s share over the years. What’s left behind in the wood is a beautifully concentrated profile that showcases a whole different side of our traditional Tennessee Whiskey.”
Selected by Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Taster Dale McGee, the spirit coats the palate with rich tasting notes of “brown sugar, banana nut bread, and a subtle touch of maple syrup” along with a “long, warming finish balanced by hints of toasted oak,” according to the whiskey maker. The brand’s ongoing Distillery Series line acts as a dedicated platform to explore innovative barrel finishes, unusual grain bills, and extreme aging conditions.
But JD aficionados should take note: The new high-proof expression is bottled at an eye-watering 138.4 proof, though it’s still designed to be enjoyed straight up or in a boozy cocktail. Due to the notably limited yield of the barrels, the High Angel’s Share release will be available exclusively in Tennessee and on-site at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop at the Jack Daniel Distillery starting this month for suggested retail price of $44.75.