Whiskey group brings special Jack Daniel’s selection to West Virginia

The Appalachian Whiskey Society (AWS) and the Appalachia Barrel Select Program recently held a fancy release party for a specially selected single-barrel version of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. The Charleston event attracted a large group of whiskey enthusiasts to try the Jack Daniel’s 2018 Single Barrel Private Select  “Appalachia Barrel Select No. 8”

Attendees were treated to a special guest at the event: Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniels’s assistant master distiller. To say that making Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is in his blood is no lie. According to his bio, Fletcher is the grandson of Frank “Frog” Bobo, the distillery’s 5th master distiller (1966-89). He  recalls as a youngster visiting his grandfather at the distillery, following closely at his heels and hearing stories about those who came before them. Fletcher’s first memory of the distillery is watching his grandfather make sour mash and operating the stills. 

Jack Daniel 2018 Single Barrel Private Select  
“Appalachia Barrel Select No. 8”

Fletcher explained that the Single Barrel Private Select was made using the distillery’s same traditional Tennessee Whiskey method as their popular Old No. 7. But where the Old No. 7 you buy at the liquor store is a blend of whiskey from over 100 different barrels, the Private Select is all from one single barrel, selected from the top floor of Jack Daniel’s rickhouse and bottled at a higher proof. Barrels in the top floor, where it is hotter and dryer, age at an accelerated pace, typically producing more barrel spice and higher proof. As a special touch, each bottle was individually signed by Fletcher.

Earlier this year, a committee from the Appalachia Barrel Select Program and Appalachian Whiskey Society made the trip to Lynchburg, Tennessee and selected the specific barrel after tasting samples from many. Committee members were Joe Nassif, Sam Walker-Mathews, Bill Heckel, Don Ireland, and Les Gibson. The selected barrel of whiskey was then bottled and shipped to West Virginia as a special order through Rite Aid’s Charleston South Hills store. It helps to have spirits enthusiast Les Gibson, who is Rite Aid’s liquor manager, as the program’s contact at the store.

Distiller:  Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee 
Selection Date:  August 24, 2018
Age:  5+ Years Old
Proof:  94 (47% ABV)
Mash Bill:  80% Corn 8% Rye 12% Malted Barley
Barrel Number:  5798
Lot:  13-G-18

Tasting Notes:  
Jack Daniel’s 2018 Single Barrel Private Select

“Elegant and sippable. A mature parent of Old Number 7 that trades the clove forward aggression of the black label for a more balanced experience. Neat or on the rocks, just hold the Coke.” — Josh Nibert, Charleston, WV

“Our barrel selection group was emboldened by the success of the 2017 Private Select, which was truly a unique barrel. The 2018 Private Select builds on this success with a more mature and bolder whiskey with a warm, long finish. Enjoy!”  — Joe Nassif, Charleston, WV

“This barrel is reminiscent of the smokiness of bourbon and the spicy note of rye whiskey, to create a taste unlike any Jack Daniels I’ve ever experienced” — Sam Walker-Mathews, Charleston, WV

Eighth whiskey in a series

The Jack Daniel’s Private Select was the 8th in a series of single barrel, private selection whiskeys brought to West Virginia over the past two years by the Appalachia Barrel Select Program and made available to members of the Appalachian Whiskey Society. Over the past five years, additional single barrel releases have been brought in by AWS. The groups have featured whiskeys from Smooth Ambler, Knob Creek, Four Roses, Jack Daniel’s, and Elijah Craig distilleries.

While this Jack Daniel’s selection promptly sold out, the group has plans already in the works for more special releases in 2019.

How to get involved

For anyone in the Charleston area or surrounding region who loves fine American whiskeys, getting involved the Appalachian Whiskey Society can be a way to further your access to some of the best products you will find entering the state. It is also a way to learn more about finer spirits by joining in with group members for whiskey appreciation activities.

For more information on how to get involved in the Appalachian Whiskey Society, email one of the following people: 
– Josh Nibert, AWS president, at Josh@joshnibertphotography.com 
– Joe Nassif at  joenassif@yahoo.com 
– Sam Walker-Matthews at sam@gvbc.beer 

On Twitter, follow All Things Bourbon by Appalachia Barrel Select Program Founder Joe Nassif.